COVID-19 Update

Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic has created travel uncertainty, it is now possible to plan and book an Australian walking adventure with confidence. The Australian Government’s current “Holiday At Home” promotion involves policies aimed at encouraging Australians to travel domestically and the Australian travel industry has adjusted to the new norms.

With successful COVID-19 suppression efforts in all the Australian states and territories, domestic travel restrictions have been largely removed and Australia is open again to walking adventures. Outside the peak January holiday period, 2021 is also shaping up to be a great time to take advantage of some excellent promotional discounts!

Just like overseas walking holidays, there are many Australian tour operators who offer guided or self guided, pack-free walking tours complete with accommodation and meals. We can help you choose from the multitude of domestic walking holiday offerings. We can also advise on appropriate domestic travel insurance for walking holidays, including medical evacuation cover.

To provide reassurance about any unexpected future travel restrictions, many tour operators are currently offering deposit free or deferred deposit bookings plus booking guarantees for any tours postponed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions (with no additional charges being added to a postponed tour). Several tour operators have introduced new COVID-19 cancellation policies to cover the need to cancel if customers are unable to travel to the starting point of their tour due to government travel restrictions.

Significant work has also been undertaken by travel providers to introduce new COVID-19 safety measures designed to minimise transmission risk on walking holidays. These protocols include thorough hygiene and cleaning practices, limiting group sizes, pre-trip questionnaire screening, client briefing on COVID-19 safe practices, social distancing measures and emergency response measures for walkers experiencing flu-like symptoms during a walk. Tour operators are also updating their safety measures regularly to ensure ongoing compliance with current Government health authorities’ directives.