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Here’s the bad news: International Travel is out of the question for the next few months, at least.

Here’s the good news: Australia is an incredible, beautiful country with ample camping and off-road destinations, and travel within Australian states is starting to open back up.

After bushfires ravaged our country earlier this year, many of us pledged to travel within Australia in the coming months and years to help those communities rebuild. With COVID-19 running its course throughout the world, we now have more reason than ever to carry out these pledges once the travel restrictions are lifted.

Domestic tourism is vital to Australian Communities. It helps to fund critical economic infrastructure like airports, roads and hotels, and it also plays an important role in the economic development of regional Australia, with 46% of Australian Tourism spent there. Australians tend to save Australia for last – for when they’re “grey nomads” – but now is the time to put these holidays first on the list. 

These restrictions are easing every day, so for the latest information, we urge you to use the official Government links to stay up to date with the latest, as we aim to bring you the most up to date information that we can. Here’s our comprehensive guide to embracing our native states and getting lost!

 

TRIP PLANNING

SUPPORT BUSHFIRE AFFECTED AREAS WHERE POSSIBLE

Canberra, Batemans Bay (NSW), Moruya (NSW) and Narooma (NSW) are just some of the most bushfire affected towns in Australia, and with many of their residents devastated by the fires, their local businesses need your holiday spending now more than ever. Ensure when planning your Australian adventure, to include as many of these towns as you can, you can find a comprehensive list here.

Start your own convoy

The only thing that’s better than travelling around Australia, is travelling around Australia with friends and family. When trip planning, invite as many other groups as possible. The greater the convoy, the greater the positive impact on local businesses along the way. 

Check Border Closure and State Guidelines

As of 20 May, the majority of state and territory border closures are still in place, so interstate holidays are unlikely in the immediate future. Restrictions are changing every day now, so make sure you’re keeping up to date with your state’s rules and regulations.

 

 

TAKE STOCK

CHECK YOUR CAMPING GEAR STOCK

Do you have everything you need? Utilise a camping equipment checklist to ensure that you have everything you need to get lost (and find your way back). This includes making sure that you have each item, checking that each item is working, is charged, and you have all of the pieces. Everyone’s camping setup is different, which is why you need to create your own camping gear checklist, or register. Pull your gear out box by box, ensuring that you tick everything off the list and clean it out at the same time.

ORGANISE YOUR GEAR FOR A QUICK GETAWAY

Once you have everything, you can organise these items so that they are ready to be packed into your tow vehicle or camper trailer at a moment’s notice. If you have a camper trailer, you can utilise Flat Pack Storage Boxes to organise and store these items. If not, clear plastic containers are also a good alternative to keep gear clean and organised. 

While waiting for restrictions to ease, set up camp in the backyard to make sure you have everything. Each member of the family is responsible for their own belongings, plus one area of the campsite (kids included if they are old enough).

BUY AUSTRALIAN MADE

If you need any new camping gear, buy local! There are many fantastic Australian camping outlets available for you to purchase gear from, but if you know of a local store that could use the help, ensure you purchase with them. By sticking with Australian-made products, you’re not just supporting local businesses – you’re keeping jobs right here in Australia.

If you don’t already have a camper trailer, buy or hire Australian Made models. Not everyone can afford to purchase a new camper trailer, but by hiring Australian Made brands, you are promoting those products to your fellow travellers and supporting Australian manufacturing at the same time!

 

 

MAINTENANCE

Performing maintenance on your vehicle and camper trailer is the most important aspect of preparing for a trip; especially if your trip is in a remote location. Pre-trip maintenance is your best chance of avoiding breakdowns during your trip, and the safety of your passengers depends on it. Before you venture out, ensure that both your camper trailer and tow vehicle have been serviced by a professional, and carry any common spare parts that you might need.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 

See your vehicle manufacturer to ensure that your servicing is up to date, and also consider your modifications. Do you require fuel tanks, electrical upgrades or anything else for your next trip?

CAMPER TRAILER MAINTENANCE

If you own a Patriot Camper, our Authorised Service Centres allow for online service bookings and some participating dealers also offer a contactless pick up, drop off service, so that you can avoid unnecessary travel. You can also do some maintenance yourself if you like, like applying Rhino Shine to your camper trailer, to renew its look before the next big trip. 

 

 

RESTRICTION INFORMATION

No matters where you are or how eased the restrictions become, as campers we all have a responsibility to ensure that social distancing and hygiene standards are upheld. If you’re getting ready to get lost, ensure this is top of mind! We’re all in this together.

While we endeavour to bring you the most up to date advice, make sure you check with your local authorities before you get lost!

 

New South Wales and the ACT can go camping NOW!

  • Border Restrictions: No states or territories are actively encouraging travellers to come to visit. The national cabinet guidelines have suggested 10 July as the time to review interstate travel, however, it’s unclear which states are likely to follow this. Read more here
  • Travel within the state: The NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has urged other states to reopen sooner rather than later, and holiday travel inside the state will be allowed from 1 June.
  • Camping: The NSW Government has announced that the state-wide ban on holidays and camping will be lifted from 1 June 2020.  In line with the NSW Government’s announcement, all campers will be required to book online or via the NPWS contact centre (1300 072 757) prior to arrival for the foreseeable future in order to manage campground numbers. For more information see here: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws-covid-19

 

Victorians can go camping NOW!

  • Border Restrictions: No states or territories are actively encouraging travellers to come to visit. The national cabinet guidelines have suggested 10 July as the time to review interstate travel, however, it’s unclear which states are likely to follow this. Read more here.
  • Travel within the state: Where possible, driving with passengers outside your household should be avoided. Where allowed, you can go fishing, hunting, gold prospecting but you must ensure 1.5 metres can be maintained between yourself and others. Right now, you can gather in groups of ten. From 11:59 pm on 31 May, gathering sizes can increase to 20 people.
  • Camping: From 11.59 pm on 31 May 2020, camping and accommodation will be permitted in some areas. Campgrounds and accommodation that require the use of communal areas, such as shared bathrooms and kitchens, are subject to the current restrictions and will remain closed. Read more here.

 

Queenslanders can go camping NOW!

  • Border Restrictions: No states or territories are actively encouraging travellers to come to visit. The national cabinet guidelines have suggested 10 July as the time to review interstate travel, however, it’s unclear which states are likely to follow this. The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has said the state’s borders would be reviewed at the end of each month, with September floated as a “realistic” timeframe by the state’s chief health officer. Read more here.
  • Travel within the state: From 11.59pm 15 May, all national park and forest day use areas and walking tracks will reopen, except for some popular rock pool destinations and you can travel recreationally (day trips only) up to 150km within your region. Gatherings of up to 10 people for hiking and other recreational activities in national and state parks. 
  • Camping: From 1 June Camping opens up in national and state parks – gatherings of up to 20 people – and overnight recreational travel opens up for Queenslanders travelling within Queensland – camping, caravan parks and tourism accommodation – up to 250km within your region. Read more here. 

 

WA residents can go camping NOW!

  • Border Restrictions: No states or territories are actively encouraging travellers to come to visit. The national cabinet guidelines have suggested 10 July as the time to review interstate travel, however, it’s unclear which states are likely to follow this. Read more here.
  • Travel within the state: From Friday, 29 May 2020, the regional boundaries will be lifted, except for the Australian Government biosecurity zones, including the Kimberley region, parts of the Shire of East Pilbara and Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku. Restrictions on entering 274 remote Aboriginal communities will remain in place. For more details see regional travel information
  • Camping: recreation activities in compliance with travel restrictions and the 10-person rule, such as private picnics in the park, fishing, boating, hiking and camping can take place from 27 April! Read more here. 

 

South Australians can go camping NOW!

  • Border Restrictions: No states or territories are actively encouraging travellers to come to visit. The national cabinet guidelines have suggested 10 July as the time to review interstate travel, however, it’s unclear which states are likely to follow this. Read more here.
  • Travel within the state: There are no restrictions on travel within South Australia. Previous advice was to re-consider your need to travel to regional areas. This advice has now been relaxed. Read more here. 
  • Camping: South Australian parks are open and provide opportunities to stay active and healthy, while social distancing. Camping and accommodation in parks is open. Book online. Learn more here. 

 

TasmanianS STILL DON’T KNOW WHEN THEY CAN GO CAMPING

  • Border Restrictions: No states or territories are actively encouraging travellers to come to visit. The national cabinet guidelines have suggested 10 July as the time to review interstate travel, however, it’s unclear which states are likely to follow this. Read more here.
  • Travel within the state: From Monday 11 May, Tasmanian residents will be able to undertake exercise at national parks and reserves, including beaches in their local area. Residents should only use parks and reserves that they can walk, run or cycle to, or if this is not possible, can drive to within 30 kilometres of their place of residence. Read more here.  
  • Camping: Visitor centres and campgrounds still remain closed until further notice.

 

Northern Territory residents can go camping NOW! 

  • Border Restrictions: No states or territories are actively encouraging travellers to come to visit. The national cabinet guidelines have suggested 10 July as the time to review interstate travel, however, it’s unclear which states are likely to follow this. Previously, the Northern Territory chief minister, Michael Gunner, said the state border would be lifted “dead last”. Read more here.
  • Travel within the states: Travel for remote community residents is allowed between communities, homelands/outstations and any unincorporated townships (Nhulunbuy and Alyangula only) within their biosecurity area. Community residents are strongly advised, however, not to travel if they do not have to (i.e. except in an emergency or for medical treatment). Read more here.
  • Camping: From midday on Friday 1 May some COVID-19-related restrictions will ease and Territorians can enjoy our outdoor lifestyle in Parks and Reserves. Plan ahead and check what parks are open and the activities you can do there, including camping and swimming: https://dtsc.nt.gov.au/covid-19-information-for-stakeholders/parks-and-reserves-whats-openRead more here.

 

 

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