With the Federal Tourism Minister, Simon Birmingham, warning that Australia’s international borders may not open until next year, the states and territories are set to fight tooth and nail to ensure they get their share of the domestic tourism pie.
In an economy ravaged by the pandemic lockdown, the battle to get grey nomads to visit – and to stay and spend – will be a key one as rival jurisdictions tout their ‘visitability’.
With travellers in southern states still unable to head north, Victoria and South Australia have already taken the gloves off … and it looks very much like they’re just getting warmed up.
The war of words started when the South Australian government announced it was to re-open its borders to people from Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania, while still requiring visitors from eastern states to quarantine upon entry.
It seems that Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, wasn’t impressed.
“I don’t want to be offensive to South Australians … but why would you want to go there?” he said.
The response from South Australia was one of predictably outrage, with local politicians and media outlets lining up to point out the state’s many attractions … while pointedly referring to some of the ‘issues’ currently facing Victoria.
There is still significant optimism that Australia’s internal borders will all re-open in July, and that will likely mean the battle to attract the grey dollar will become fiercer yet.
I dont know why u would go to either! North WA all the way, guess we r lucky to be sand gropers.
SA. & Victoria have a lot more to offer than WA.
FNQ
place to be all year winter or summer.
I think all states and territories of Australia are very worthy of the GREY DOLLAR, and I’m confident that all GREY NOMADS are keen to head off to their respective favorite location, i also know there is one thing for sure that as mature and sensible tavelling GREY NOMADS with valuable GREY DOLLARS to spend, we are not interested in entering into childish debates over the political decisions made by our state leaders acting in the absolute best interests of their constituents.
Hi sandgropers. Far North Queensland is still the best. This from someone who spent 5 years in WA and 50 years in NSW.
We found our piece of paradise in FNQ.
FNQ is beautiful that’s for sure, spent lots of time in and around Cairns over the years but never during cyclone season. Very humid I hear; can’t swim in the ocean because of Irukandji jellyfish. but here in Busselton you can swim all year round. They’ve all got their good and bad points that’s why we live where we live.
Well said Keiran. Every part of Australia has something to offer. And best of all is that our politicians have done their best to keep us safe from Covid-19. Now looking forward to enjoying our wonderful country as and when it is opened up again.
I can’t think of any reason to travel to Victoria other than duty visits to relatives. S.A. would be preferable.
there is just so much wrong with you.
Lived in every state in Australia.
NT and qld are the best. Currently living in Paradise FNQ and will not be moving. Here to stay
I haven’t really had a chance to tour Vic or SA yet, as Ive been busy touring FNQ, central Qld, Western Qld, SE Qld, Fraser Island, Moreton Island, Stradbroke Island, Thursday Island, NT and NSW…and so I don’t know if I will have time to visit Vic and SA, as I’ve still got another 25 years of touring and camping to do yet just see the best parts of Australia. Mr Daniel Andrews, why would you visit SA OR Vic? 🙂 🙂
Kieran, you are correct there are plenty of nomads either grey or not to go around, of course the issue is that all state governments have their own interpretations of when the borders should open. What some of these useless public servants, that don’t know how to serve the public, and lets face it that all premiers are, don;t understand that their states are basically the same as a business that decides to close for a period of time without rhyme nor reason, their regular customers will find other places to service their needs. And as per these businesses they will scream blue murder when they count their till at the end of the day and there is not the funds in there to support their business. The nomads that have traditionally travelled to FNQ for instance will find somewhere else that suits their needs and the people of FNQ become the collateral damage.
I just returned from a trip along the Murray river from Mildura to Wodonga. I noticed a lot of smaller towns have closed businesses that we have visited in the past. Some towns only had post office and petrol stations open. We were planning a longer trip into Queensland but the borders are a problem. Vic has some beautiful places to visit and the NSW outback is great. I am happy to spend our retirement dollars in our region to support small business.
I’m finally on the road again, heading south from QLD for the winter (yeah I know I’m weird, but I’m a winter person!)
I love SA but I have a special love for Victoria, for such a small state it has so much beauty and contrast and the cold winters don’t bother me at all and I much prefer them to a hot QLD summer! I’m hoping to get a ski or two in (fingers crossed)
Daniel Andrews can keep Victoria all to himself. Victorians have ripped into SA and Adelaide for so many years. When they are not allowed in, they want in. Sorry, control yourselves and your virus and stay put.
Both states have plenty to offer, I will probably end up on the Murray near Cobram, and free camp in September., for a couple of weeks.
I have lived in Victoria my entire life but i have no choice to live in sa and i have learned that sa is the worst place to live in Australia.