International travel updates: New Zealand, Bali, New Caledonia latest changes
A lot has happened in the last month – here's where you can now easily travel to.
More countries around the world have begun to relax their COVID-19 restrictions. Here are the 5 changes you need to know.
1. New Zealand
What's changed?
It's been quite a long time since Aussies could easily hop across the ditch thanks to the trans-Tasman travel bubble. That's all set to change from 12 April with New Zealand reopening.
Vaccinated travellers will be able to travel to the Aotearoa with no need to quarantine or isolate on arrival. Instead, they'll just need to have a pre-departure test (either PRC or rapid antigen) as well as 2 more rapid antigen tests on the day they arrive and on day 5 or 6.
Unvaccinated travellers will still need to enter managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ).
Things to do while you're there:
- See Auckland with a Maori guide. Explore the country's largest city with a Maori guide teaching you all about the local culture and history.
- White water raft in Rotorua. Forget the geysers and check out the rapids of the Kaituna River.
- Visit Hobbiton. It's a must-see for all fans of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film series.
See our guide to travelling to New Zealand from Australia.
2. Bali
What's changed?
Since 14 March fully vaccinated travellers from Australia no longer need to quarantine. When the island first reopened back in February a big hurdle that travellers had to face was the fact they needed to spend 5 days in isolation (even if vaccinated). That rule has changed now, though testing measures are still in place.
You'll need a negative PCR test result within 48 hours of arrival and another on the day you arrive and on day 3.
Things to do while you're there:
- See Bali's sacred temples. Take a full-day tour of the Mother Temple of Bali and Lempuyang's Gate of Heaven.
- Visit the sacred monkey forest in Ubud. See the monkeys in their protected habitat, you might even meet one up close.
- Ride horses along Seminyak Beach. There's no better way to see Seminyak Beach than from the back of a horse.
See our guide to travelling to Indonesia from Australia.
3. New Caledonia
What's changed?
Since 24 March vaccinated Australians can travel to New Caledonia without having to complete 7 days of quarantine on arrival. You'll just need a negative PCR or rapid antigen test and proof of vaccination.
Your test must be done less than 24 hours prior to departure. Non-vaccinated travellers continue to need to complete 7 days of quarantine.
Things to do while you're there:
- Take a tour of Noumea. Take a 90-minute tour around town to acquaint yourself with the capital.
- See turtles up close. Head out to Signal Island for the chance to swim alongside turtles, corals and tropical fish.
- Sail on a private catamaran. When in paradise you might as well head out on the water in style.
4. South Korea
What's changed?
From 1 April South Korea is scrapping quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated visitors. If it's been more than 180 days since your last dose of a vaccine you'll need to have had your booster shot. Unvaccinated travellers will still need to quarantine for 7 days.
Things to do while you're there:
- Take a tour to the DMZ. The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a border zone between North and South Korea, visit nearby tunnels and the Dora Observatory.
- Have a traditional Korean style cooking experience. Head to a market to grab fresh ingredients then spend the next couple of hours learning to make traditional Korean food.
- See nature on Mount Seorak and Nami Island. Visit these UNESCO-listed sites on a day trip from Seoul, you won't regret it.
See our guide to travelling to South Korea from Australia.
5. Ireland
What's changed?
Since 7 March Ireland has dropped all of its remaining travel restrictions including the requirement to fill out a passenger locator form (PLF). That means no proof of vaccination, or pre-departure/arrival testing.
Keep in mind some airlines do require passengers to be tested and/or vaccinated to travel.
Things to do while you're there:
- Head to Blarney Castle. Just remember kissing the Blarney Stone is optional.
- Visit the Cliffs of Moher. Have you really been to Ireland if you haven't taken in the beauty of these iconic cliffs with your own eyes?
- See all of Ireland with an 8-day trip. From Dublin to Belfast and everywhere in between, nothing is off the itinerary.
See our guide to travelling to Ireland from Australia.
Other updates
- Malaysia. From 1 April fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to quarantine on arrival in Malaysia. You will need to take a PCR test within 48 hours of departure and a rapid antigen test on arrival.
- Vietnam. Since 15 March international travellers have been able to return to Vietnam so long as they are fully vaccinated and show a negative PCR test result from a test taken within 72 hours or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours. You'll also need to take a second rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arrival.
- Singapore. The island nation is scrapping it's Vaccinated Travel Lane system from 1 April as well as on-arrival testing and pre-departure testing. You'll still need to be vaccinated to avoid quarantine, however.
- Canada. If you're fully vaccinated, from 1 April you'll no longer need to get tested for COVID-19 before you arrive in the Great White North. Random testing at the airport will still apply and unvaccinated travellers will need to still complete a PCR test and quarantine for 14 days.
- Thailand. From 1 April travellers arriving by any of the country's 3 entry schemes (Test and Go, Sandbox or Alternative Quarantine) are able to do so without the need to show evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. You'll still need to have a PCR test on arrival and a rapid antigen test on Day 5. The Sandbox stay period has been reduced from 7 to 5 days.
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