Newcastle Airport is just four months away from officially becoming an international gateway[i], opening new horizons for travel, trade, and property growth across the Hunter Region, according to super brand Raine & Horne.

In a significant milestone, the airport has installed its first-ever aerobridge – a 31-tonne, 20-metre-long structure that will allow international passengers to board and disembark directly from the terminal[ii]. 

“This aerobridge marks exciting times of growth for the Hunter region and its real estate markets,” said Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine & Horne. “It’s a tangible symbol of the Hunter region stepping confidently onto the world stage.”

The aerobridge is just one element of a broader transformation at Newcastle Airport, which includes upgraded baggage systems, improved access, and stunning new terminal finishes, from modern bathrooms to the opening of a brand-new Arrivals Café.

These upgrades follow the September 2024 announcement that Newcastle Airport has secured a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Destination NSW, unlocking access to the NSW Government’s Aviation Attraction Fund[iii]. The agreement includes airline incentives for two years from the launch of new routes and strategic marketing support to attract more carriers to the region.

International connectivity will also support local exporters. Plans for an Aerospace East Precinct and an air freight facility are projected to contribute $12.7 billion to the NSW regional economy over the next two decades ($6.2 billion from tourism and $6.5 billion from freight activity).

Brad Wallace, Managing Director of Raine & Horne Commercial Newcastle, agrees international expansion at Newcastle Airport —just 25 minutes from the CBD of NSW’s second-largest city— is a pivotal milestone for the region’s future.

“This is more than just a transport upgrade—it’s a once-in-a-generation catalyst for population growth, job creation, and property demand across the Hunter,” Mr Wallace said.

“We’re already seeing momentum in Newcastle with multiple cranes dotting the skyline, and infrastructure such as the Hexham bypass linking the M1 seamlessly with the airport. 

“This creates a streamlined gateway not just for tourists and business travellers, but also for investors and homebuyers from Sydney and beyond looking for properties within range of a major airport.”

Mr Wallace added that enhanced connectivity—especially when combined with the region’s evolving transport network and the emergence of fast rail infrastructure—could increase real estate values by up to 5% annually in some parts of the Newcastle market. 

Newcastle is now home to the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA), which officially opened its doors in December—cementing the city’s role as the starting point for Australia’s first high-speed rail line. The proposed route between Newcastle and Sydney will feature state-of-the-art trains capable of reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h on a dedicated track, cutting travel time between the Central Coast and either Sydney or Newcastle to just 30 minutes. 

“There’s no doubt international flights and high-speed trains between Sydney and Newcastle will boost demand, not just in Newcastle, but the entire Hunter region,” Mr Wallace said. 

“It’s already easier and more relaxing to fly from Williamtown than Mascot. Add international flights, and we’re looking at a serious uplift in property buyer interest across our region.”

Newcastle airport take-off set to propel Lower Hunter property prices 

According to Carolyn Wallis-Tomlins, Director of Raine & Horne Kurri Kurri and Cessnock, the commencement of international flights at Newcastle Airport is a game-changer for property markets in the Lower Hunter. 

 “It puts us firmly on the map for owner-occupiers, investors and lifestyle buyers,” she said. 

Ms Wallis-Tomlins, a frequent flyer herself, says, “International flights will bring a lot more people to the Hunter, and it’ll definitely open up the region—particularly around the bays such as Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, Fingal Bay, and Anna Bay. 

 “It’s going to enhance real estate values because you’re bringing people to the area who can see what’s here whether it’s the vineyards or the magnificent coastline.”

With possible routes to Singapore and New Zealand being discussed, Ms Wallis-Tomlins believes the airport’s international potential is a game-changer[iv]. 

“I flew into Newcastle on a Jetstar Neo the other day—it was huge. If they can bring that plane in, they can absolutely go international,” she said.

Affordability across the Hunter is another major drawcard for buyers looking to invest ahead of the airport’s expansion.

“You’re not going to get access to an international airport in Sydney for under a million. Here, you’re still looking at around $650,000 for a four-bed, two-bath house. In Muswellbrook, it might be closer to $600,000.” 

Ms Wallis-Tomlins believes it’s only a matter of time before prices climb. “Three to five per cent annually—that’s what an international airport could add to property values in the Lower Hunter.”

 
[i] https://www.newcastleairport.com.au/news/newcastle-airport-prepares-to-welcome-the-world/
[ii] https://www.newcastleairport.com.au/news/newcastle-airport-prepares-to-welcome-the-world/
[iii] https://www.newcastleairport.com.au/news/deal-to-attract-domestic-and-international-routes-to-newcastle-airport-a-boost-for-our-region-s-skies/
[iv] https://travelweekly.com.au/newcastle-airport-signs-mou-with-destination-nsw-to-lure-new-domestic-and-international-routes/