Queensland state border reopening: Holidaymakers prepare to flock to Queensland upon border opening

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Queensland state border reopening: Holidaymakers prepare to flock to Queensland upon border opening

By Sue Williams
Katrina Denoux and her children Rémy and Maya have traded a Provence trip for Queensland over Christmas.

Katrina Denoux and her children Rémy and Maya have traded a Provence trip for Queensland over Christmas.Credit: Nick Moir

​France was easier to visit than Queensland last week for most Australians but, with the state border now opening on Monday, Katrina Denoux switched the family holiday from the Provence coast to the Gold Coast.

Now she, her 12-year-old twins Maya and Rémy, and husband Christophe are setting out this weekend for the drive north for the long-awaited reunion with the children's grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

"It's so exciting!" said university lecturer Ms Denoux, 47, who lives on Sydney's northern beaches. "When we heard the announcement that Queensland was opening again, it was, oh my goodness! It's really happening!

"I feel so much relief at the potential freedom and it will be so wonderful to see everyone again for the first time in a year. I'm sure the border's going to be really busy with all those people parked there, but it will be great to all have Christmas together. We're now unpacking the warm clothes from our suitcases and putting in our summer gear."

The Denoux family is just one of thousands from NSW and Victoria now rescheduling their holidays to make the break for the Sunshine State border by land or by air.

In the two days after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made her decree, a whopping 70 per cent of Flight Centre's total destination inquiries were for Queensland. Inquiries about flights from Sydney to Brisbane rose by 276 per cent and to the Gold Coast by 149 per cent, while Melbourne to Brisbane inquiries jumped by 152 per cent and to the Gold Coast 119 per cent.

"We saw a huge 40 per cent uptick in bookings from the southern states to Queensland as soon as the announcement was made," said Flight Centre general manager Kelly Spencer. "People are now more confident about domestic travel and they're desperate to see their families for Christmas or have a holiday."

While demand has been high for flights, accommodation and packages to Tropical North Queensland's islands and Port Douglas, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, there's still capacity Ms Spencer said. Regional travel spots like Townsville, Cairns, Rockhampton and Toowoomba also have vacancies.

At short-term accommodation providers Stayz, the Gold Coast has the most houses and apartments left to book over December and early January, followed by Cairns and Noosa. "But Christmas and New Year's availability is low with few holiday homes left, and some booked more than six months in advance by Queenslanders," said Stayz travel expert Simone Scoppo.

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Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast hotels are also being snapped up particularly quickly on booking platform Wotif.com. "The trends show that Aussies are keen to get back to the Sunshine State as soon as possible," said Wotif managing director Daniel Finch. "But it's not too late to book traditional accommodation if you're still planning your getaway.

"If you're set on heading to a particularly popular destination, consider being flexible with your dates or where you choose to base yourself, or look to somewhere new like Townsville or Bargara."

Travellers entering Queensland from Monday need to be double-vaccinated and, with NSW and Victoria still being declared hotspots, they need to have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior and agree to take a PCR test on day five of their trip. All being well, they'll face no other restrictions or quarantine.

"I think there's still a little bit of hesitancy over the risk of travelling and borders closing and quarantine," said Gold Coast travel agent Mike Dwyer of Main Beach Travel.

"But we are now seeing a rush of people wanting to come from NSW and Victoria and competing with holidaying Queenslanders for accommodation. It's great to see them!"

Queensland Deals

The latest Queensland holiday deals include:

Virgin Australia launching sale fares to Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Sunshine Coast and Townsville from $59 one-way.

Oaks Brisbane Felix Suites with a 30 per cent discount, down to $193 a night for two, available to be booked from January 4 to 6, for travel till June 30, 2022. Phone 13 62 57. See oakshotels.com.

QT Gold Coast with a 15 per cent discount, down to $610 for two nights for stays before January 31, 2022. Phone 1300 368 337. See viewretreats.com.

Cruise Whitsundays day tours – choose two and take 10 per cent off both, including snorkelling and diving on the Great Barrier Reef and Camira sailing adventures. The reef tour is now $251 a person. Phone (07) 4846 7000. See cruisewhitsundays.com.

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