Families, returning South Australians and tourists make mad rush to the border as SA opens to Victoria

South Australians returning home, families reuniting and tourists have flocked to the South Australia border just hours after it reopened to Victoria.

A steady stream of vehicles have crossed the South-Australia-Victoria border at the Princess Highway checkpoint after the hard border closure ended at 12.01 this morning. Picture: Jessica Ball

In the hours since the South Australian border reopened to Victoria a steady stream of vehicles has passed through the Princess Highway checkpoint near Mount Gambier.

There was joy, relief and happy tears as South Australians return home, families reunite and eager tourists arrived in droves.

Deb Roether pulled her son Dekklan Meyer and granddaughter Augustine Roether out of school and set out from Melbourne early this morning to make it to Mount Gambier in time for lunch.

Deb and Augustine Roether from Melbourne on their way to Mount Gambier to reunite with family after a year apart. Picture: Jessica Ball

Arriving on South Australian soil, the relieved mum said it had been a year since she had seen her daughter Morgan Derenthen, son-in-law Jerry and grandchildren Olivia and Max.

“I’m so excited, I’m so happy I can see them,” she said.

“My granddaughter is seven and my grandson has just has his second birthday and I haven't seen him since he was not even crawling

“It’s been excruciating, most of my family lives in South Australia so after Mount Gambier we’re off to the Yorke Peninsula to see my parents.”

Jan Truter is on his way home Wallaroo on the Yorke Peninsula after been trapped in Victoria for months.

After being stuck in Victoria for months without a car Jan Truter is finally making his way home to the Yorke Peninsula on his bike. Picture: Jessica Ball

“I work the winter every year up in Mount Buller but I got stuck there this year and I’ve just been waiting for the border to open so I can finally come home,” he said.

“I got stuck over there without a car so I bought a bicycle and a tent and decided to tour around for a few weeks.”

This morning the cyclist set off from Dartmoor with a SAPOL officer taking pity on him at the checkpoint and offering to drive him the rest of the way to Mount Gambier before he starts the long trek home.

Travelling to South Australia for the first time, Melbourne mates Amanullah Haidari and Sharrif Mohammad were excited to see more of the country after months of lockdown,

“I wanted to see Mount Gambier so we’re visiting there, we’re just coming here for fun,” Mr Haidari said.

“I didn’t expect it to be so cold otherwise I would have packed a jumper.”

Melbourne's Sharrif Mohammad and Amanullah Haidari at the Princess Highway border checkpoint excited to travel to South Australia for the first time. Picture: Jessica Ball

The SA border is now open to Victoria but those travelling into the state must complete an online Cross Border Travel Application which is automatically approved while officers will continue to man the border checkpoints.

Entry to Victoria remains restricted under the Victorian Border Crossing Permit system.

The cross-border Community can continue to travel freely using previous SA permits.