Tasmanian traveller Max Quick secures place on special flight to Australia from Argentina

A Tasmanian teenager who has been stuck in Argentina for five weeks will soon be on his way home after securing a seat on a special flight to Australia.

A TEENAGE Tasmanian traveller stranded in Argentina amid the coronavirus crisis will soon be on his way home.

Max Quick has been in lockdown in a Buenos Aires apartment for five weeks, but has secured a seat on a Qantas flight to Melbourne facilitated by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs.

The 19-year-old from Hobart was on the trip of a lifetime when the global coronavirus pandemic worsened and his situation became uncertain.

But his relieved family say they are thrilled he will soon be back at his Richmond home.

(L-R) Andrea, Andrew and Toby Quick of Richmond whose son and brother Max is stranded in Argentina. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Max is booked on the flight which will depart Argentina on Saturday, after his family had been lobbying local politicians and DFAT officials.

“It’s the best news I’ve had all year,’’ father Andrew Quick said.

“When we told him, the smile on his face was pretty magic to see.

“Now he’s had time to think about it, the disappointment is setting in that it’s the end of his gap year, so it’s mixed emotions I suppose.

“One is full-on relief he is going to get out of lockup, but the other side of it is that it’s the end of his gap year for the time being.”

Max Quick has been stuck in Argentina during the coronavirus pandemic.

But Max will likely not be reunited with his family for at least another four weeks.

Under current travel restrictions, those entering mainland Australia from overseas have to go into quarantine for 14 days when they return.

MAX QUICK: DREAM ADVENTURE TURNS INTO A NIGHTMARE

Tasmanians returning home are subject to a further two weeks in a government-run accommodation facility when they arrive back into the state.

Mr Quick thanked DFAT and government officials for their consideration of his son’s case, acknowledging the significant task they had faced to try to bring a large number of stranded Australians home.

State independent member for Clark Madeleine Ogilvie said she was pleased Max would soon be returning home.

Ms Ogilvie had been in regular contact with the family and had been working to secure support for Max to return to Australia.