Tasmania’s border restrictions are set to ease in just over a fortnight, with the State Government preparing to open to “low-risk Australian jurisdictions”.

In celebration of Tasmania opening to most of Australia again soon, airlines have jumped on board to offer discount airfares to the island state.

No matter where you’re planning on travelling to or where your visitors will fly from, we’ve rounded up the latest official information state by state.

South Australia

For Tasmanians

Tasmanians are able to enter South Australia directly without the requirement for COVID-19 testing or 14 day self-quarantine upon arrival, as long as during the 14 days immediately before their arrival in South Australia, they have been in low community-transmission zones (ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, TAS or WA) for that preceding 14 days.

There are two ways Tasmanians can travel to South Australia: By plane, or by car if travelling on the Spirit of Tasmania.

NOTE: If you are planning travel to South Australia, aim to complete the Cross Border Travel Registration at least 14 days before you leave to speed up the border crossing process.

Cheapest flights: From $75 from Hobart to Adelaide via Jetstar.

For South Australians coming to Tasmania

South Australian residents, who have not spent time in an affected area in the prior 14 days, will be allowed to enter Tasmania from October 26.

All travellers to Tasmania are required to provide travel details on arrival. The most effective way of doing this is via the G2G PASS system.

Cheapest flights: From $75 from Adelaide to Hobart via Jetstar.

Passengers travelling from South Australia are permitted to book now to sail to Tasmania on/after October 26, 2020 via the Spirit of Tasmania.

People coming to Tasmania by car must transit directly through affected region by vehicle to the Spirit of Tasmania terminal without breaking their journey, except to obtain fuel.

Queensland

For Tasmanians

The Sunshine State has always been open for Tasmanian residents to enter the state.

However, you won’t be allowed to return freely until borders open on October 26.

If you return from Queensland before that date, you will have to quarantine when you get home.

Cheapest flights: From $109 from Hobart to Brisbane or $99 from Launceston to Brisbane via Jetstar.

For Queenslanders coming to Tasmania

Queenslanders, who have not spent time in an affected area in the prior 14 days, will be allowed to enter Tasmania from October 26.

All travellers to Tasmania are required to provide travel details on arrival — the best way is via the G2G PASS system.

Cheapest flights: From $109 from Brisbane to Hobart or $99 from Brisbane to Launceston via Jetstar.

Gold Coast to Hobart flights take off from December 1, with fares starting from $109 one way.

Passengers travelling from Queensland are permitted to book now to sail to Tasmania on/after October 26 2020 via the Spirit of Tasmania.

People coming to Tasmania by car must transit directly through affected regions by vehicle to the Spirit terminal without breaking their journey, except to obtain fuel.

Northern Territory

For Tasmanians

Tasmanians are able to travel to the Northern Territory now, however won’t be allowed to return freely until borders open on October 26.

If you return from NT before that date, you will have to quarantine when you get home.

Cheapest flights: From $223 Hobart to Darwin via Jetstar.

For Territorians coming to Tasmania

Territorian residents, who have not spent time in an affected area in the prior 14 days, will be allowed to enter Tasmania from October 26.

All travellers to Tasmania are required to provide travel details on arrival. The most effective way of doing this is via the G2G PASS system.

Cheapest flights: From $223 Darwin to Hobart via Jetstar.

Passengers travelling from the Northern Territory are permitted to book now to sail to Tasmania on/after October 26 2020 via the Spirit of Tasmania.

People coming to Tasmania by car must transit directly through affected region by vehicle to the Spirit of Tasmania terminal without breaking their journey, except to obtain fuel.

Western Australia

For Tasmanians

While our borders will soon open to Western Australia, it doesn’t work the opposite way just yet, with the WA premier keeping a hard line on border closures.

You cannot enter WA unless you are an exempt traveller. Entry into WA may be subject to terms and conditions, including a requirement to quarantine for 14 days. You may apply for an exemption via G2G PASS.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg this week said they expected Western Australia’s borders would stay closed “until April next year”.

Cheapest flights: Hobart to Perth from $286 (travel from December 1) via Jetstar.

For Western Australians coming to Tasmania

Travellers from Western Australia will be allowed to enter Tasmania from Monday, October 26.

All travellers to Tasmania are required to provide travel details on arrival. The most effective way of doing this is via the G2G PASS system.

Cheapest flights: Perth to Hobart from $286 (travel from December 1) via Jetstar.

Passengers travelling from WA are permitted to book now to sail to Tasmania on/after October 26 2020 via the Spirit of Tasmania.

People coming to Tasmania by car must transit directly through affected region by vehicle to the Spirit terminal without breaking their journey, except to obtain fuel.

ACT

For Tasmanians

Tasmanians are able to travel to the ACT now, however won’t be allowed to return freely until borders open on October 26.

If you return from the ACT before that date, you will have to quarantine when you get home.

Cheapest flights: Hobart-Canberra flights via Link Airways will start from November 5, with prices starting from $279 one way.

For ACT residents coming to Tasmania

Travellers from the ACT will be allowed to enter Tasmania from Monday, October 26.

All travellers to Tasmania are required to provide travel details on arrival. The best way to do this is via the G2G PASS system.

Cheapest flights: Canberra-Hobart flights via Link Airways will start from November 5, with prices starting from $279 one way.

Passengers travelling from the ACT are permitted to book now to sail to Tasmania on/after October 26 2020 via the Spirit of Tasmania.

People coming to Tasmania by car must transit directly through affected region by vehicle to the Spirit of Tasmania terminal without breaking their journey, except to obtain fuel.

New South Wales

For Tasmanians

There are no restrictions in place for Tasmanians entering New South Wales.

Cheapest flights: Hobart to Sydney one-way from $91 via Jetstar.

For NSW residents wanting to come to Tasmania

At this stage, the Tasmanian Government is keeping its borders closed to New South Wales residents but will make an announcement if Public Health Advice changes on allowing residents into Tasmania.

Victoria

For Tasmanians

There are no restrictions in place for Tasmanians entering Victoria.

Cheapest flights: Hobart to Melbourne (Tullamarine) from $57 one-way.

For Victorians coming to Tasmania

Tasmania’s borders will remain closed to Victoria for the foreseeable future.

Any non-essential traveller who does not have prior approval from the Deputy State Controller to enter the State may be required to leave Tasmania or enter government approved accommodation until they are able to leave Tasmania or are approved to stay by the Deputy State Controller.

Leaving Tasmania will be at the traveller’s own expense and those undertaking quarantine in government-designated accommodation will be slugged $2800.

Subject to change …

As Premier Peter Gutwein outlined in his announcement last week, the border situation is subject to change if the COVID-19 risk changes to protect Tasmanians.

“The COVID-19 risk in all States and Territories continues to be monitored and the easing of restrictions is dependent on the situation in those jurisdictions,” the government’s coronavirus site says.

“Current restrictions and requirements remain in place until that time. Further information on requirements and restrictions in relation to border restrictions easing will be provided closer to the date.”

Spirit of Tasmania opens bookings

Spirit of Tasmania is now accepting bookings from passengers travelling from South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and the ACT for travel to Tasmania from 26 October 2020.

CEO Bernard Dwyer said last week’s announcement by the Premier about the easing of Tasmania’s border restrictions was an important step forward for the recovery of the state.

“We’re excited to invite bookings from passengers from those low risk states who may be looking to visit Tasmania for a much needed holiday or a long-awaited reunion with friends and family,” Mr Dwyer said.

“COVID-19 has been incredibly challenging for us, our passengers and for Tasmania — particularly those in the tourism and hospitality industry.

“We will be doing everything we can to encourage people to sail to Tasmania for their next road trip.”

“It’s well known that people who travel with their own cars on Spirit of Tasmania tend to stay longer and spend more in regional areas than visitors who fly to Tasmania.

“It is for this reason we believe that we have a crucial role to play in the economic recovery of the state.”

Before the borders announcement, Spirit of Tasmania could only accept bookings from Tasmanian residents returning to Tasmania, essential travellers to Tasmania, freight operators, and passengers travelling to the mainland from Tasmania.

Mr Dwyer said the Spirit of Tasmania had a COVID-19 Safety Management Plan in place with a new Sail Safe initiative highlighting all of the recent changes to passengers.

“The health and safety of our passengers is our highest priority and we have implemented a range of precautionary measures to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable journey on board.” he said.

“In the current climate, passengers understandably want to know that they will be safe while travelling.

“Through Sail Safe (spiritoftasmania.com.au/sailsafe) we can provide extra reassurance to our passengers that our terminals and ships are COVID ready and our team is ready to welcome passengers back on board.”

Travel registration

All travellers to Tasmania are required to provide travel details on arrival. The most effective way of doing this is via the G2G PASS system.

Health screening and temperature checks

All travellers arriving in Tasmania from Monday, August 31 will be asked to answer health symptom questions and have a temperature check as part of COVID-19 screening measures.

Part of the questioning process can be completed online in the one hour before travelling, to ensure a quicker passage through the port of arrival.

Travellers will receive a text message prior to departure with a link to the online form.

Travellers who haven’t done the questionnaire when they arrive will receive help to complete it at the port.

Anyone with symptoms will be encouraged to have a COVID-19 test.

Read more here.

To learn more and to register your travel to Tasmania, visit the government’s G2G Pass site.

cas.garvey@news.com.au