IMAGE: 7 Mile Beach, Forster, on the NSW Mid North Coast/Visit NSW
While all international travel (excluding some exemptions) is still banned for Australians and visitors to Australia, New South Wales is lifting its restrictions on intrastate travel and holidays from 1 June 2020. The ACT is permitting travel and holidays for Canberrans to NSW (and vice versa) as neither NSW nor the ACT have closed their borders to Australians from interstate.
Different states and territories have strict quarantine protocols in place for returning residents (and exempted travellers). If you’re considering a holiday in New South Wales after 1 June 2020, be aware of the mandatory quarantine regulations in place in your home state when you return.
Here is a quick resource to help you understand where you can travel within Australia, and when.
NSW
If you are a NSW resident, from 1 June 2020 you can visit anywhere in regional NSW for recreation and holiday purposes.
- Some caravan parks and camping grounds will be open.
- Call ahead to confirm any bookings.
- National park visitors should check the latest COVID-19 updates from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
- Practise physical distancing and good hygiene.
- Public health advice is still in place.
Interstate travellers may visit NSW for a holiday from 1 June 2020, but must observe the rules of their home state or territory when returning.
ACT
Canberrans will be able to visit NSW for a holiday from 1 June 2020.
Travel is permitted anywhere in NSW.
VIC
If you are a resident of Victoria, travel to holiday homes, tourist accommodation and other private residences within Victoria will be allowed from June 1 2020. Caravan parks and camping grounds will be permitted to open but there will be no access to communal facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms.
- Practise physical distancing and good hygiene.
- Public health advice is still in place.
QLD
Queensland’s borders are closed to non-residents (excluding exemptions).
Queenslanders have been able to travel within their state since 16 May 2020, however travel is only permitted for recreational travel (day trips only) up to 150km within your region.
If further travel will not present a risk, the Queensland government will consider extending those restrictions to be raised from 12 June 2020 to permit overnight recreational travel for Queenslanders travelling within Queensland – camping, caravan parks and tourism accommodation – up to 250km within your region.
Camping would open up in national and state parks – and gatherings of up to 20 people will be permitted.
SA
South Australia’s borders are closed to non-residents (excluding exemptions).
There are no travel restrictions within South Australia for South Australian residents.
Border control check points are operating for traffic entering South Australia. You will be questioned regarding your travel plans. SA Police are also patrolling border areas and will stop people they find deliberately avoiding main roads.
SA Police are conducting periodic checks on people who have returned from interstate to ensure they are complying with the mandatory 14 days of self-quarantine.
WA
Western Australia’s borders are closed to non-residents (excluding exemptions). No one can enter WA unless an exemption has been granted — including WA residents.
Some restrictions on regional travel were lifted on 18 May 2020 for West Australians. CLICK HERE for more information.
TAS
Tasmania’s borders are closed to non-residents (excluding exemptions).
Tasmanian residents can take day trips within Tasmania but can only exercise at national parks and reserves, including beaches located on reserved land, within 30km from your place of residence.
NT
The Northern Territory’s borders are closed to non-residents (excluding exemptions).
Territorians are permitted to holiday within the Territory (excluding the internal biosecurity zone areas).*
The decision on whether to lift those controls will be made in partnership with the Federal Government, Land Councils and communities – and based on the public health advice. providing all guests adhere to the current hygiene and physical distancing rules.
*Internal biosecurity zone areas are in place in the Northern Territory. The Territory’s controls are currently in place under the Commonwealth Biosecurity Act and are due to expire on 18 June 2020.
