Whatever holiday you're planning, physical distancing and good hygiene practices still apply. This will likely affect how you travel, with some attractions still closed and many others taking in a limited number of patrons.
This guide has all the ins and outs so you don't get caught on the back foot when you travel around the state.
If you're headed to Melbourne you can get the latest on attraction, restaurant and public space openings in our what's open in Melbourne guide.
Restrictions due to Melbourne's July coronavirus outbreak
Due to the recent outbreaks, 36 Victorian suburbs have been deemed hotspots that should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Exceptions include to shop for essentials, give or receive care and to attend education. The affected postcodes are 3012, 3021, 3032, 3038, 3042, 3046, 3047, 3055, 3060 and 3064.
The border between Victoria and New South Wales is also going to be closed as of 11:59pm on Tuesday, 7 July. As of 6 July, Anyone travelling to New South Wales from Melbourne will also be required to quarantine for 14 days.
Accommodation in Victoria
As at 1 June, staying in accommodation, including in hotels, motels, campgrounds and at a friend or family member's home, is permitted across the state.
Can I stay with family or friends?
While you can stay overnight at a friend or family member's house, no more than 5 guests can be in the house ontop of the household's members.
It's also recommended that the vulnerable and elderly should limit the number of guests in their homes.
Can I staying at hotels?
All hotels with private facilities for their guests, including bathrooms and kitchens, are able to re-open across the state.
When you arrive there may be extra hygiene precautions in place. This might include an a la carte breakfast in lieu of a buffet-style one and limitations on the number of guests at the pool and gym at any one time.
Interstate travellers can book a hotel; however, you may need to self-isolate upon your return, based on your state's current restrictions.
Available on select 2020 dates across Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Brisbane, Perth and more. Sample fare is for a stay at McSweeney Ranch Casino. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates and activities including tours, hotels, cruises, getaways, spas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Babymoon package: Get massage therapist or sleep consultant
Valid for use on select dates at Ovolo Hotels in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Spring Hill. It includes a 60-minute pregnancy massage and more. T&Cs apply.
Mount Buller: 2-night stay w/extra discounts for $199
Ends
Available for mid-week stays until 30 September 2020. Includes parking, Wi-Fi, late check-out, 50% breakfast discount, 20% ski hire discount and a 10% ski retail discount.
Available on select 2020 dates across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and more. Sample accommodation is at Maisie's Cottage Busselton. T&Cs apply.
Valid for travel on select dates from July 2020 onward. Sample fare is for a hostel room in Melbourne Central. Destinations include Melbourne Airport, Melbourne Cricket Ground and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid on select dates. Sample rate available on stays at the 4-star Great Southern hotel for $63. Other rates include the 4-star Best Western Atlantis from $98 per night and Travelodge Docklands for $106 per night.
Victorians may stay in rented holiday homes and private residences – so long as there are no shared services.
If you're booking through a homeshare service such as Airbnb or Stayz, only search for entire homes or apartments. Single bedrooms in communal homes or apartments should not be advertised unless they offer private facilities for you. If in doubt, contact the owner for confirmation.
Holiday homes are limited to 20 people and communal facilities may reopen.
Staying at hostels
Hostels across the state have reopened with enhanced hygiene measures in place. Private and family rooms are available for members of the same household only, while multi-share rooms have reduced occupancy in line with the physical distancing rules.
Hostels such as the YHA have increased the cleaning of high-touch surfaces and hand sanitiser is available.
Communal facilities may be closed or restricted to allow for only a certain number of guests at any one time.
Am I able to go camping and caravanning?
Campgrounds and caravan parks are open for camping or stays in their roofed accommodation.
Communal facilities have reopened and are being cleaned twice daily. Despite this increased cleaning, it's still important to maintain good hygiene when using these facilities, including washing your hands for 20 seconds and coughing into your elbow or a tissue which is appropriately disposed of.
There are no restrictions on the number of people who can stay at a campsite. However, group gatherings are capped at 10 people, unless they're all from the same household. As always, physical distancing rules with other campers apply.
Pre-booking a spot is also highly recommended.
Can I go boats or yachting?
Overnight stays on all boat types, including houseboats, is permitted so long as it is self-contained. That is, it must provide its own kitchen and bathroom facilities and is only for use by those staying on the vessel.
Fishing and general boating is allowed with physical distancing measures in place.
There is also a maximum of 20 guests per boat.
Tourist attractions in Victoria
Popular tourist attractions across the state, including zoos, museums, galleries, outdoor and amusement parks, have been given the green light to open.
A maximum of 20 people is permitted per enclosed space. Due to this, timed ticketing may be in place.
To help weed out what's open and what's not, RedBalloon and Adrenaline have marked specific products with a "Now Open" stamp.
Some popular Melbourne attractions that have reopened are:
Up to 60% off activities, experiences and things to do
Valid on select dates including holidays like Christmas, New Year's and more depending on the destination. Destinations include Hong Kong, Singapore, Osaka, Taipei, Dubai, Sydney, Melbourne, London, Paris, New York and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid on select dates and for experiences like hot air ballooning, helicopter scenic flight, skydiving, flying lessons and more. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Hunter Valley, Great Ocean Road and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select 2020 dates. Activities include whale watching, dolphin watching, lunch cruise, sunset cruise in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
Available for activities like driving experiences, helicopter flights, skydiving, hot air balloon rides, abseiling, water rafting, whale watching and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid on select dates and adventures like quad biking, sandboarding, bridge climbing, canyoning, horse riding, abseiling and more. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Up to 10% off unlimited attractions Melbourne City card
Ends
Available until 9 January 2021. Attractions include Melbourne Zoo, Eureka Skydeck, Icebar Melbourne, Melbourne River Cruise, hop-on hop-off tour and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid on select experiences and activities like skydiving, scenic helicopter flight, kayaking, whale watching and more. Destinations include Sydney, Byron, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Darwin and Perth. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates and activities including sandboarding, jet boat rides, indoor skydiving, cruises, swimming, go karting and much more. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates and activities including tours, hotels, cruises, getaways, spas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates on activities like rally driving, go karting, quad biking, and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Melbourne and more.
Available on select dates and activities like hop-on hop-off bus tours, zoos and animal interaction, treetop adventures and more. Destinations include Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne and more.
Available on select dates in 2020 and 2021 on activities like wine tours, dinner cruises, hot air balloon flight, attraction entry passes and much more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates in 2020 and 2021 to Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Cairns and more. Activities include day tours, flight experiences, transfers, attraction passes, cruises and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include Victoria departing from Melbourne. Includes hotel pick-up, 30-minute steam train ride and more. T&Cs apply.
If you want to get out and about, National Parks across the state are open for exercise and overnight camping. Campsites may require pre-booking, so it's best to check the Parks Victoria website before heading out to avoid disappointment.
Once you're at the park, be vigilant about social distancing and stay 1.5 metres away from other hikers and campers.
Dandenong Ranges
Grampians National Park
St Kilda Pier and Breakwater (Penguin viewing platform is closed)
Wilsons Promontory National Park
Major sites along the Great Ocean Road (including Port Campbell and Great Otway)
Yarra Ranges National Park
Mornington Peninsula National Park
Are beaches and local parks open?
In Melbourne alone, there are over 480 hectares of parks and gardens open for exploring and picnicking. Here are some popular parks open in Melbourne:
Catani Gardens
Flagstaff Gardens
Carlton Gardens
Docklands Park
Fitzroy Gardens
Kings Domain
Queen Victoria Gardens
Treasury Gardens
Birrarung Marr
JJ Holland Park
Royal Park
Shrine of Remembrance Reserve
Are ski areas open?
Victoria's major ski fields are reopening this year – albeit a little later than usual. To access them for snow sports you will need to pre-purchase your lift passes, as these are limited to maintain physical distance on the slopes. For example, Falls Creek is only issuing 250 passes per day.
Season opening dates when ski lifts will be in operation are:
Mount Buller: 2-night stay w/extra discounts for $199
Ends
Available for mid-week stays until 30 September 2020. Includes parking, Wi-Fi, late check-out, 50% breakfast discount, 20% ski hire discount and a 10% ski retail discount.
As long as you're not residing in a locked down suburb, or driving into one, there are no limitations when driving your own vehicle and you are permitted to travel anywhere within the state.
If you're hiring a car there may be additional protocols in place – including when you pick it up and drop it off. For example, Europcar has a zero-contact policy where the keys are disinfected and put in a sealed envelope for you to pick up.
Am I able to fly within Victoria?
There are limited intrastate routes within Victoria, but you are still permitted to fly on them.
As of 11:59pm on Tuesday, 7 July the border to New South Wales is closed, so you won't be able to fly between the states.
Added safety measures are in place when you fly to ensure a healthy environment. You'll notice enhanced cleaning and masks and sanitising wipes for all customers.
Are coach services operating within Victoria?
You can travel by coach between Victorian cities and to snowfields, with certain restrictions.
PTV: Public coach services are running, with select service changes. Buses from Geelong to Lorne and Apollo Bay now stop at Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre and there is an increase in services to Stawell and Halls Gap and from Daylesford to Woodend.
Alpine Spirit: Select services have been suspended, including those to major events. Services to and around the snow fields are still operating.
Many chartered coach services, including those with Victoria Coaches, Melbourne Bus Company and Dysons are still running. You'll need to contact them for a quote.
Greyhound and Murrays have suspended all interstate services departing Melbourne until further notice.
Are train services operating within Victoria?
PTV services: All services are running as normal. There are no passenger limits; however, Victorians are advised to travel on its services less, if possible, avoid peak hours and to keep your distance on escalators, platforms and in trains.
Public Transport Victoria is cleaning high-touch surfaces daily.
V/line: You can still travel by train to regional destinations such as Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Gippsland and Seymour.
Services to South Australia are still running; however, you may need to quarantine when you arrive, depending on your situation and the current restrictions.
As part of its hygiene and safety protocol, staff and coach drivers won't accept cash as payment. Instead, please use your myki or a paper ticket purchased from the station.
If you've purchased your ticket online, V/Line is temporarily accepting your ticket confirmation as a printout or on your smartphone.
Frequently asked questions about travelling in Victoria during COVID-19
How far can I travel from home?
There are no limitations to travel around Victoria. However there are COVID-19 hotspots you should avoid. If you do enter them you will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
Are there any regional travel restrictions?
No. You may travel throughout Victoria without restriction. Again, there are hotspots in the state that while you can enter, will require you to self-isolate if you do.
Can I travel to Victoria if I live in another state or territory?
Yes. Interstate visitors are free to travel to Victoria without restrictions. However, you may need to self-isolate upon return to your own state, depending on your current state rules.
You should avoid COVID-19 hotspots while in Victoria, if possible.
Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia have banned Victorians from entering their borders. The NSW border is closed as of 11:59pm on 7 July.
What if I live outside of a hotspot but commute into it for work or schooling?
You can still travel into Victorian hotspots if it's absolutely necessary without having to follow the lockdown rules. Reasons to enter a hotspots include essential shopping, essential work, caregiving and schooling. When in a hotspot you should maintain social distancing and good hygiene.
Conversely if you live in a hotspot but must leave, say for work, then you can. If it's possible to work from home however, you should do so.
Do I need to limit the number of people I travel with?
There is a gathering limit of 10 people. More than 10 people may gather if all are members of the same household.
Physical distancing is required when gathering with people outside of your household.
Do I need to pre-book to visit dining venues and attractions?
Certain restaurants, cafes and attractions may require you to pre-book as the current limit is 20 people per venue or closed space. Check with the venue before arriving to avoid disappointment.
Will I need to self-isolate or go into quarantine when I return from my trip?
No. There is no need to self-isolate or quarantine when returning from a regional or other domestic destination. If you are feeling unwell when you return and are showing flu-like symptoms, you should call the COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398 immediately for advice.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).
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