How to holiday in Australia through a global pandemic
We’re in the middle of a global pandemic and we all need a holiday. In this article, I explore why we so insistent on holidaying overseas when Australia has it all. This is my advice on how to travel through a global pandemic.
Home to high snow blanketed alps and the world’s largest coral reef system. With over 10,000 beaches (more than anywhere else in the world) and a bubble-gum pink lake. Claiming the oldest surviving rainforest in the world and 1 million square kilometers of desert. There is no denying that this country we for the moment can’t leave is one of extreme diversity. Why then are so many people waiting for international borders to open before taking a holiday?
People’s reluctance to holiday within Australia has fascinated me. I reached out to a few friends to get their thoughts on why. Here are the resounding 5 reasons that are impacting holiday decision making and the solutions to go alongside.
1. Human Psychology
Because we have been told we can’t! Remember being told as a child that you can’t have something and after being denied it wanting it all the more. Wanting to do something that you’ve been told you can’t do is human nature. The behaviour is psychological and known as reactance. This is a type of mechanism where our brain wants to ensure that we’re free to do whatever it is that we want to do with our own lives. From my research, I found that people were almost being obtuse. If they couldn’t holiday overseas well then, they weren’t going on holiday at all.
How to travel in a pandemic – Change your psyche! We’re in this for a while. We have a responsibility to look after our psychological and physical health to switch off and take time out. Our local economy needs us to spend our dollars. There are plenty of areas that are still struggling from the adverse events of the past 12 months including bush fires, floods, and of course COVID. I love initiatives like ‘Empty Esky’ a tourism movement to support small businesses affected by the Australian fires.
2. Escapism
We want to holiday to get away from ‘it all’. To escape to new and exciting pastures. After the grind of daily life, responsibility and routine we seek adventure and an escape from normality. There is a perception that holidaying in one’s own country doesn’t hit the spot when it comes to escaping reality. The physical act of getting on a plane or boat and crossing international borders is what we associate with escapism.
How to travel in a pandemic – Escape your normality. If you live on the coast escape to the rain forest. From the city, escape to the outback. Living in the country, take a beach holiday. Granted it won’t feel exactly the same as leaving the country, but the diversity of Australia does mean that options are many and varied. We recently took an outback road trip and it was one of the most diverse holidays I’ve been on. In two weeks we drove through red dirt, vivid green fields, white mounds of opal mines, vineyards, and fruit tree orchards. Being a Sydneysider I really did feel as though I had escaped to a different land.
3. Habit
We’ve become so accustomed to flying overseas that this is what we associate with holidaying. A complete change of everything – culture, weather, food, smells, sounds. There’s the belief that it doesn’t feel like a holiday if we’re still on home soil. We are craving diversity and change and don’t feel that we get this by staying local.
How to travel in a pandemic – A change in mindset. Overseas leisure travel is not going to be the norm for a while for us here in Australia. Whether it’s a staycation or you’re actually getting away it’s important to get your head into holiday mode. Research the area as if you were an overseas tourist, make a list of things you want to do. Don’t set an alarm and don’t take your work with you. Learn about the local area, it’s history, it’s people, local traditions, art, culture. Get to know the locals, be inquisitive, ask questions. Take lots of pictures, eat out, spoil yourself. After all, you’re on holiday!
4. Value for money
Spending the same amount of money, if not more money and not getting the added benefits of leaving the country is mentally frustrating for many. Flying to Bali with accommodation can cost the same as a weekend in Port Stephens. There is a shared feeling that the option of a local weekend costing so much is a waste of money. No-one likes the feeling of not getting value for money. There is general consensus that a weekend in Australia costs the same as going overseas so why wouldn’t you go overseas. Well, you can’t! COVID has taken the luxury of choice from us. Who knows when that ease of jumping on a plan to Bali will be within our grips once again.
How to travel in a pandemic – This is a great time to start to explore your backyard. It’s true, a lot of popular places in Australia do cost remarkable amounts of cash to visit at certain times. We need to be thinking outside the box. Visit popular places in the shoulder or down season. Explore lesser, well-known places in peak time. Sign up for local tourism newsletters and jump on any deals. Choose less expensive options such as camping or stay in hostels. You never know, going back to your backpacker roots could be fun!
5. Visiting friends & family
It’s not surprising that with a big network of ex-pats, friends and family were a big consideration. Many ex-pats travel back to their country of origin to visit relatives using the trip as a reason to visit other places on-route. Halfway meet-ups are common, a chance to feel like you’re on holiday and see family at the same time. There is a feeling that people are saving their holidays and dollars when they can travel overseas.
How to travel in a pandemic – Unfortunately we are stuck with the virus and there is nothing any of us can do to impact the opening of Australian borders. This lies in the hands of the rest of the world. My opinion is that Australian borders will remain closed until the rest of the world flattens the curve. Which quite frankly I can’t see happening any time soon. So, until we have a vaccine, we all need to suck it up and come to the terms with the fact that we won’t be able to see family for a while. Either that or make the big decision to move home which I’ve seen on more than one occasion already.
We are lucky to live in an age where a quick FaceTime means that Mum and Dad can experience some of ‘down under’ life with us. Take them to the snowy slopes of Thredbo or show them how orange the Outback really is.
I hope that those of you reading this are already planning your next holiday in Australia. Once our own internal borders open and Victoria come out of lockdown it’s time to explore our own backyard. When on your trip please practice responsible travel habits and spend locally. Read my top 10 tips on how to keep the dollar in the local community here.
