What’s up with travel in 2021?

By John Pedler
Published: Tuesday, December 22, 2020

March 2020 saw a sudden halt to overseas travel. It caught us all by surprise and left many international travel plans in disarray.

As the year progressed, we gradually became used to the new normal and rediscovered – or further embraced – the wonderful attractions our own state has to offer. As the regions opened up, we set about road-tripping to the Riverland, the peninsulas, the Limestone Coast and beyond.

Less than a day’s drive from the city, the ancient Flinders Ranges are a geological wonderland of deep gorges, mountain bluffs and spectacular outback landscapes. You can choose to pitch a tent in one of the many campsites, stay in a self-contained family unit, or glamp it up in a luxury safari tent with stunning views of Wilpena Pound’s escarpment just outside your door.

Wilpena Pound Resort. Image: SATC
Wilpena Pound Resort. Image: SATC

There are very few places in the world where you can safely drop into the watery domain of the great white shark, and Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula is one of them. As well as the popular cage dive, you can also view these massive toothy fish from a windowed Aqua-Sub, while remaining fully clothed and enjoying lunch and a glass of wine.

At Coffin Bay, west of Port Lincoln, oyster-lovers can join a tour, don a pair of waders, and stroll out to the oyster beds to sample these tasty molluscs at their absolute freshest. If you’re keen to stay out of the water, boat tours are also available. While you’re on the peninsula, be sure to explore the stunning west coast – a place of secluded beaches, wave-sculpted rock formations and secret coves.

Coffin Bay. Image: SATC
Coffin Bay. Image: SATC

The world is a wonderful place to explore, but it’s also true that Australia is on the bucket lists of many international travellers – and for good reason. From WA’s rugged Kimberley and Queensland’s World Heritage-listed rainforests to magnificent Sydney Harbour and the cafes of Melbourne’s alleyways, ours is a country of incredible variety. With state borders continuing to open, we’re now able to travel further afield.

With its long, sandy beaches, rocky headlands and great surf, the northern NSW coast is seaside heaven. The heart of the action is Byron Bay, a buzzing township of boutique cafes, eclectic markets, and a vibrant arts and crafts scene. Head into the lush hinterland for rainforest walks and charming country villages.

Byron Bay. Image: Getty
Byron Bay. Image: Getty

Small and compact, Tassie’s the ideal place for a road trip. The drive itself is half the fun, with wonderful scenery around nearly every corner, and all of the attractions are within easy reach. In next to no time you’ll be strolling around picture-perfect Dove Lake, climbing Cradle Mountain, or cruising up the Gordon River into the south-west wilderness. Plus, there’s a bounty of world-class fresh produce and cool-climate wine to enjoy.

If you’ve long been considering one of Australia’s great rail journeys, there’s never been a better time to ride the rails through the heart of the country. Travelling between Adelaide and Darwin, The Ghan passes through the southern farmlands before heading deep into the remote outback, en route to tropical Darwin and the Top End – or you can travel north to south. There are a range of different packages available, including a side trip to Uluru, a boat tour of stunning Katherine Gorge, and/or a day among the waterfalls of Litchfield National Park.

Litchfield National Park. Image: Getty
Litchfield National Park. Image: Getty

Overseas travel restrictions are likely to stay in place until at least March 2021, but there’s talk that the first available destination will be New Zealand. From the hot springs and hobbit-infused mountains of the north, to the snow-capped peaks, frozen glaciers and deep, mysterious fiords in the south, there are few places on the planet so jam-packed with scenic treats. When the cruise ships return to our shores, New Zealand is likely to be among the first ports of call.

Other cruises will include coastal south-east Australia, Tassie, and the islands of the Pacific. This means we can start dreaming about tropical gems like Fiji, New Caledonia and Mystery Island, as well as exotic locations like Papua New Guinea and Tahiti. Think long cool drinks, crystal clear water, colourful coral and laid-back beach life beneath swaying coconut palms. Mindful of recent events, cruise companies have introduced a range of extra health and safety measures to ensure the wellbeing of passengers.

Fiji. Image: Getty
Fiji. Image: Getty

The time will come when we’ll once again pack our bags to travel to distant shores. From Europe and North America to South-East Asia and the wilds of Africa, we’ll soon be back globe-trotting like we have been for generations. But in the meantime, there’s so much to see and do in our lucky corner of the world.

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