Coming soon? Depends where you are in the country.
From today, grey nomads in South Australia are being actively encouraged to explore all of the state’s regional areas … but the picture is not quite as clear cut in other jurisdictions.
While caravanners and motorhomers aren’t likely to be given the green light to go where they like when they like any time soon, there are however positive signs from around the country.
In the Northern Territory, where Covid-19 infection numbers are the lowest, people who feel well have been allowed to ‘visit parks and reserves, including campgrounds’, since the start of the month. However, it is likely to be some time until the territory’s borders with others states fully open.
Darwin’s famous Parap Markets are even reopening today, although visitors are being reminded to keep physical distancing, order take-away meals, and follow hygiene guidelines.
While Western Australia has also said it will keep its state borders shut for the foreseeable future, it has announced an easing of restrictions on regional travel. The state’s temporary regional borders have been reduced from 13 to four, allowing travel between some regions that were previously closed off.
From next Monday, May 18, travel will be allowed within, but not between: South West-Great Southern-Wheatbelt-Perth-Peel; Mid West-Gascoyne-Pilbara; Esperance-Goldfields; the Kimberley.
Restrictions on remote communities will remain in place.
Premier Mark McGowan said this will allow some tourism activities to resume but he said it will likely be at least another month before people from Perth could travel north.
New South Wales has also announced an easing of many measures related to gathering, but the state says it is too early to allow recreational travel to regional areas.
“Everybody still cannot take a holiday in New South Wales,” said Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
From next Saturday, people in Queensland will be able to take day trips of up to 150 kilometres within their region — or up to 500km for those who live in the Outback.
It is hoped that from June 12, the state will be in a position to allow recreational travel to a maximum of 250 kilometres, with accommodation — including camping and caravan parks — open for business to encourage drive holidays.
If a goes smoothly, it is hoped that – from July 10 – people will be able to move around the state freely.
“We are absolutely hoping, fingers crossed, if our numbers remain low and everything is going well, we will be able to open up travel for right across Queensland,” said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
At that time, Queensland will also assess its border policies with the hope of opening up interstate travel, but Ms Palaszczuk says they will take a cautious approach.
The Victorian Government has just announced that travel to beaches and walking paths will now be allowed, in the state but not overnight camping.
We are full time travelers & are happily un the backyard at a family members home in Bundaberg. We self isolated at Gin Gin showgrounds for 4 weeks before coming here. We look forward to moving on when we are allowed to. We have a farm sit job in nsw in October, if all goes to plan.
You were lucky to have a friend’s back yard I can’t wait till we can hit the road for winter Childers QLD
we live 30 min from SA in VIC
Ready to go help SA country towns as soon as they say we can cross the border
Next Monday 18th May we are leaving Busselton for a few days to go up to the peel region near Perth to see our great grand daughter for the first time. Also going for a run out to the wheatbelt.
I have already booked a site for my van for two weeks at the end of June in hope that all goes well with the first relaxation of the lock down. It is only 250Km from my home but looking forward to it.