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Victoria travel restrictions: Where you can go in October 2021

We shed some light on where you can go, what's open and how to get around in Victoria.

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Stephanie Yip

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Dylan Crismale
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From 11:59pm on 21 September 2021, restrictions across Victoria will ease further with metropolitan Melbourne coming out of lockdown.

On the list of places you can visit are the Great Ocean Road, Mount Hotham and Gippsland. If you're travelling around regional Victoria, this guide has all the ins and outs about accommodation, attractions and outdoor activities.

You should adhere to physical distancing, good hygiene practices and avoid contact with the vulnerable. Masks should be worn indoors (except at home) and outdoors.

For the moment travel between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria will remain prohibited without an exemption.

TL;DR: Victoria restrictions

Are hotels open?
Yes

Are attractions open?
Yes

Is camping allowed?
In some locations

Are beaches and parks open?
Yes

Accommodation in Victoria

Staying in accommodation with your single household, intimate partner or single bubble, including in hotels, motels and campgrounds, is permitted in regional Victoria.

Can I stay with family or friends?

Yes, all Victorian residents can have 10 visitors per day but overnight stays are not yet allowed.

It's still recommended however that the vulnerable and elderly should limit the number of guests in their homes.

Can I stay at hotels?

Yes. Hotels in regional Victoria can open to leisure travellers. In metropolitan Melbourne, hotels can only accommodate those who need to shelter in place.

When you arrive, there may be extra hygiene precautions in place. This might include an a la carte breakfast in lieu of a buffet, and limitations on the number of guests at the pool and gym at any one time.

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Can I stay at private or rented holiday homes?

All travellers in regional Victoria are permitted to stay in a holiday home, private or rented. This includes visiting it to check up on it. Private gathering limits are currently restricted.

Staying at hostels

Hostels outside of metropolitan Melbourne can open 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?

Yes, people in Victoria may stay in campgrounds and caravan parks across the state.

Communal facilities are open and are being cleaned regularly. Despite this increased cleaning, you should still maintain good hygiene when using these facilities. This includes 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, groups must be from the same household with outdoor gathering limits set at 10 people.

Physical distancing rules with other campers apply and pre-booking is highly recommended.

Can I go boating or yachting?

Yes. Boating and yachting is permitted in regional Victoria, either alone or with members of your household.

Overnight stays on boats, including houseboats, are permitted so long as the boat 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.

Gathering limits apply based on social distancing rules.

Tourist attractions in Victoria

Outdoor and indoor tourist attractions in regional Victoria have been given the green light to re-open, though numbers are likely to be capped. This includes zoos, amusement parks, cinemas, theatres, museums and gaming venues.

Attractions in metropolitan Melbourne are in the process of reopening so be sure to book in advance.

Find out more about what's open in Melbourne here.

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Can I visit national parks?

Victorians can visit national parks for exercise and overnight camping. Campsites may require pre-booking. Check the Parks Victoria website before heading out to avoid disappointment.

Once you're at the park, be vigilant about social distancing by staying 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 National Park)
  • Yarra Ranges National Park
  • Mornington Peninsula National Park

Are beaches and local parks open?

Yes, you can visit regional Victoria's beaches and local parks.

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

Getting to and from your holiday

Can I drive anywhere within Victoria?

Yes, regional Victorians can drive anywhere without restriction, except to metropolitan Melbourne without an exemption. 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.

While you can travel to other states and territories, you will need to comply with their rules which may involve a 14-day isolation period.

Added safety measures are in place when you fly to ensure a healthy environment. You'll notice enhanced cleaning, as well as masks and sanitising wipes for all customers.

As of 8 January 2021, face masks are mandatory on all domestic and international flights.

Are coach services operating within Victoria?

You can travel by coach between Victorian cities 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.

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.

Murrays has suspended all interstate services departing Melbourne until further notice.

Are train services operating within Victoria?

PTV services: All services are running as normal with 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. Masks must be worn while on public transport.

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.

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.

All trains are being cleaned frequently.

Regional services: The Overland, which journeys between Adelaide and Melbourne, resumed on 3 January 2021.

The Great Southern, which travels from Brisbane to Adelaide via New South Wales and Victoria, resumed on 1 January 2021.

Which states and territories can I travel to?

Many states and territories have also closed their borders to Victoria – we'll update this table as they re-open.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the state and territory border restrictions are continually changing.

State Border status What should I know? More info
ACT Partially open The ACT is in lockdown. Non-residents who have been to Victoria in the last 14 days are not allowed to enter unless they have an approved exemption. Once allowed entry, they must quarantine for 14 days at their own expense. Returning residents must complete an online exemption form within 72 hours before they travel to ACT. They also need to quarantine for 14 days. The requirements apply regardless of a person's vaccination status. More info
Northern Territory Partially open As of 17 September 2021, Greater Geelong, Wangaratta, Murrindindi and Mitchell Shire LGA have been declared hotspots. Only returning residents and those with approved exemptions are allowed to enter from these areas. Those allowed must quarantine for 14 days at the Howard Springs or Alice Springs quarantine facilities. All travellers are required to complete an online Border Entry Form within 7 days before entering the NT. More info
Queensland Partially open Victoria is a hotspot. Entry is allowed only to limited groups of people including those requiring essential health care, fulfilling child custody arrangements, complying with court orders and entering as specialist workers. Residents and those intending to relocate to QLD may be allowed to enter and must arrive by air on an allocated entry date at a designated entry airport. Those permitted to enter must quarantine for 14 days and are advised to monitor the list of interstate exposures daily. More info
South Australia Open Beginning at 6:00 p.m., 22 August 2021, travellers who have been in Victoria for the past two weeks are not allowed to enter SA, except for essential travellers and people escaping domestic violence. Those who are allowed to enter must undergo a 14-day quarantine and be tested on days 1, 5 and 13. More info
Tasmania Closed Victoria has been declared a high-risk level as of 5 August 2021. Travellers will not be allowed entry unless they are approved essential travellers. They can apply for Essential Travel Status through the G2G Pass. Those who can enter are reqruired to quarantine in a suitable location or in a government-designated accommodation. More info
New South Wales Partially open Visitors from Victoria must complete an entry declaration form either within 24 hours prior to entering NSW or upon entry. They must follow stay-at-home rules for 14 days if they have been to an area of concern and leave home only if they have a reasonable excuse. More info

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Frequently asked questions about travelling in Victoria during COVID-19

How far can I travel from home?

With the end of lockdown you can travel as far as you like from your home. In all of Victoria, it is mandatory for you to wear a mask indoors and outdoors outside of your home (failure to do so can result in a fine).

Are there any regional travel restrictions?

Yes as of 22 Octobeer 2021, people cannot travel between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria without an exemption.

Can I travel to Victoria if I live in another state or territory?

Yes. Victoria's borders are open to everyone except for anyone living in a red zone (find out more information about Victoria's "traffic light" system below). As of 21 October 2021, there are no regions in the red zone. However, you may have to quarantine on return to your home.

From 1 November fully-vaccinated travellers can enter Victoria from New South Wales without the need to quarantine.

Do I need to limit the number of people I travel with?

Yes. You can only travel with in a group of up to 10 people. Physical distancing is encouraged when gathering with people outside of your travelling group.

Do I need to pre-book to visit dining venues and attractions?

Yes, it's a good idea to pre-book as there are still restrictions.

Restaurants are subject to capacity limits of 50 seated patrons outdoors, and 20 patrons indoors. All dining venues are subject to density limits of 1 person per 4 square metres.

Check with the venue before arriving to avoid disappointment. Face masks should be worn unless drinking or eating.

Will I need to self-isolate or go into quarantine when I return from my trip to Victoria?

Yes, you may need to self-isolate or go into quarantine when you return from Victoria.

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.

What is Victoria's "traffic light" system?

Victoria's travel permit system, also known as the "traffic light" system, has a 3-zone design to let travellers know whether they may enter the state. Zones are determined by local government area.

The zone rules are as follows:

ZoneRule
RedEntry to Victoria is prohibited for non-residents.
OrangeEntry to Victoria is allowed with a permit, but you must get a COVID-19 test within 3 days of arriving and self-isolate until you return a negative result.
GreenEntry to Victoria is allowed with a permit.

You can find a map of zones here.

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