Sri Lanka Tourism conducted a three-city roadshow across Australia in early September 2026, meeting travel agents and tour operators in Sydney (3 September), Adelaide (7 September) and Perth (9 September). The roadshow, led by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), is designed to grow the Australian visitor market and support a wider range of booking options from Australian cities.
Jetstar Melbourne–Colombo Route
The roadshow coincided with Jetstar’s launch of a new direct route between Melbourne (Tullamarine) and Colombo (Bandaranaike International), which began operating on 25 August 2026. The service gives Australian travellers a new low-cost carrier option alongside existing routes from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane operated by other carriers.
Jetstar joins Air Asia X and other carriers providing connections through Southeast Asian hubs for Australians travelling to Sri Lanka. The new direct option from Melbourne removes the need for a stopover and is expected to reduce total journey time for travellers from Victoria and nearby states.
What the Roadshow Covers
The roadshow presentations focused on Sri Lanka’s travel trade partnerships, new product development and the island’s recovery from a difficult period in the early 2020s. The SLTDA showcased accommodation options across the southwest coast, the Cultural Triangle and the east coast, with particular emphasis on lesser-known regions that are now more accessible.
Australian visitor numbers to Sri Lanka have grown in 2026. The island sits within roughly 10 hours of Melbourne by direct flight — shorter than many other Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian destinations competing for Australian long-haul spend.
Planning a Trip
For Australian travellers considering Sri Lanka, direct and one-stop flights connect Sydney and Melbourne to Colombo, with typical travel times of 12 to 16 hours depending on the route. Sri Lanka’s tourist visa (ETA) is required for Australian passport holders and must be obtained online before travel — full details are in our Sri Lanka visa guide.
September through early December is a good period to visit the southwest coast and Cultural Triangle, with the northeast monsoon not yet bringing heavy rain to most popular areas.