Cathay Pacific's nonstop flights from Hong Kong to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide all fall within the Medium award band. The Economy reference is 20,000 Asia Miles per person one-way, or 40,000 miles return. To plan an Australian trip, calculate your miles target by cabin and number of travellers, then check actual award availability.
This guide covers five Australian destinations and Adelaide's seasonal service. For Japan, South Korea and other destinations in Asia, see our Cathay Asia award chart.
How many miles does a one-way Cathay flight to Australia require?
All five destinations listed are in the Medium band, covering flight distances of 2,751–5,000 miles. These are the current Standard Award references for Economy, Premium Economy and Business, per person one-way:
Distance bandEconomyPremium EconomyBusinessMedium20,00039,00060,000
Check Cathay's redemption search for the actual cabins offered, miles required and award seats available. A Premium Economy or Business figure in the chart does not guarantee that the cabin is available to redeem on your chosen date and flight.
Cathay nonstop destinations from Hong Kong to Australia
Distance bandCity and airport codeRoute notesMediumPerth (PER)—MediumAdelaide (ADL)Seasonal routeMediumBrisbane (BNE)—MediumMelbourne (MEL)—MediumSydney (SYD)—
Cathay's announced Adelaide seasonal service runs from 10 November 2026 to 27 March 2027. Before planning an Adelaide trip, check that both your outbound and return dates have flights operating. Whether the service continues in the following season, and its operating dates, will depend on Cathay's subsequent announcements.
This list covers nonstop flights from Hong Kong. Other Australian cities shown on the website may involve a connection or another airline. You cannot apply the same chart simply because the destination is in Australia.
Calculating return flights and miles for everyone travelling
If both directions are in the same cabin, estimate using “miles per person one-way × 2 × number of travellers”:
- Two people, Sydney return in Economy: 20,000 × 2 × 2 = 80,000 miles.
- One person, Melbourne return in Business: 60,000 × 2 = 120,000 miles.
You can also calculate each direction separately. For example, one person flying to Brisbane in Economy and returning in Premium Economy would need a reference total of 20,000 + 39,000 = 59,000 miles, subject to the corresponding award seats being available on both legs.
Remember to include the return flight and everyone travelling. These figures exclude taxes, surcharges and other applicable fees.
Choosing an Australian city when the miles are the same
The five cities share the same Standard Award references. Choose according to the regions you want to visit and the length of your trip, without changing your destination solely for miles. If you plan to travel between cities, budget for local transport, accommodation and travel time too.
Search for the actual number of travellers and check both directions. Finding one redeemable seat does not necessarily mean there are enough for two people. Cash tickets being on sale also does not mean the same number of award seats is available.
Finally, confirm that your selected flights are operated by Cathay and are nonstop. Check the cash amount payable alongside the miles, then compare cash tickets for the same dates and cabin. Once you have settled on your itinerary, sign in through Cathay's flight redemption page to search.
Prepare for Australia with miles from your regular rent
Once you have chosen an Australian city, plan your miles target around the return trip and number of travellers. Choose a credit card that earns Asia Miles or rewards convertible to Asia Miles and pay rent through RentSmart. Under the card's applicable reward terms, eligible rent payments may earn miles, helping you gradually prepare for your Australian trip.
