Traveller Letters: Vaccinated Australians shouldn't be given special privileges

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Traveller Letters: Vaccinated Australians shouldn't be given special privileges

Updated
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine at Melbourne's Exhibition Centre. One reader believes vaccinated Australians should not be given special privileges until everyone is eligible to get the vaccine.

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine at Melbourne's Exhibition Centre. One reader believes vaccinated Australians should not be given special privileges until everyone is eligible to get the vaccine.Credit: Joe Armao

WAIT FOR US

In response to Anuj Haribhakti (Traveller Letters, June 12), why should he be eligible to cross state borders from a city in lockdown when I'm not even yet eligible to receive a vaccination? Until all Australians are eligible to receive the vaccines and be fully vaccinated then none should be eligible for any discriminatory benefit.

David Lally, North Turramurra, NSW

LETTER OF THE WEEK

NEEDLE WORK

Anuj Haribhakti's questioning of the value of being vaccinated reminds me that vaccination passports are not new. In late 1964 when I was to be transferred to Lae in Papua New Guinea by the Bank of New South Wales, I had to be passed "medically fit for service in the tropics". The Wales Travel Service attended to my bookings and I was given a small yellow booklet – "International Certificates of Vaccination" with the wording, "In accordance with the International Sanitary Regulations of the World Health Organization". On the respective pages for both smallpox and cholera, the date of the vaccination was recorded with name, qualifications and signature of the "vaccinator" were recorded, subsequently approved, by way of a stamp, by the chief quarantine officer. The final page was the "certificate of other vaccinations", mine being for typhoid. My second COVID shot is this week so I am going to front up with the booklet in the faint hope my latest jab can be recorded.

Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook NSW

CHANNEL SURFING

At an altitude of about 500 metres on a scenic flight during a recent visit to Birdsville, Queensland, we were awe-inspired by the beauty of the outback, particularly the Channel Country (with its Queesland flood waters flowing slowly towards Lake Eyre). From the aircraft, we could see the famous Big Red sand dune (where we enjoyed a stunning sunset with a glass of red) and the old Birdsville Track. Jake the pilot provided a great commentary as I took some amazing photos. It's a must do and good value at $350 for a one-and-a-half hour flight.

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Tony Danino, Wheelers Hill, VIC

CLOSED MINDEDNESS

I work in the travel industry and have managed to hang in there (just) for the past year. Designing domestic tours hasn't proved easy with frequent border closures and little customer confidence. Restaurant opening hours are another aspect which make it really hard to include fabulous dining experiences in an itinerary. In Hobart, for example, we have two small groups who wish to enjoy some of the region's amazing produce, no matter the expense. Yet pretty much every quality dining establishment (and there are several) is closed on Monday and Tuesday nights. Why do they do this? Any smart operator would make sure they are open exactly when their competition is closed. It's complete madness and incredibly frustrating.

Louise MacLennan, Brunswick West, VIC

HOTA STUFF

I can't believe that the guide (Traveller, 12 June) featuring the Gold Coast didn't include the new Home of the Arts (HOTA). After a recent visit to northern NSW, we spent the final day on the Gold Coast while we waited to catch our late flight back to Melbourne. Most of our time was at the HOTA. Opened only on May 8 2021, it is a modern, colourful, cube-shaped building of six floors, exhibiting international and local artists, a children's gallery, and a viewing platform and café on the top floor. It is a must see when visiting the Gold Coast and is only a short walk from the light rail (tram) and shopping area.

Angela Forgan, Docklands, VIC

EDITOR'S NOTE Sorry for our omission. However, we published earlier (Traveller, May 29) a feature on HOTA. For those who missed it, click here to read the article.

NEW SOUTH WAIL

In late November, 2020 I arrived in Sydney and spent 14 nights and 15 days in quarantine. It was such a terrible experience, I never want to visit NSW again. I arrived in Brisbane 10 days ago from overseas and dreaded another haunting experience. Surprisingly, and thankfully, this quarantine experience has been enjoyable. The huge point of difference has been the meals and the service at all points in the process. I recommend Australians returning to Australia to land in Brisbane for a cheaper and superior quarantine stay. Interestingly, while required to have a negative COVID test before departing for Oz, no one in Brisbane has asked to see it. Obviously having a COVID vaccination card is also an irrelevant issue.

Ken Darvall, Craignish, QLD

MEMORY LANE

In Melbourne during the recent COVID-10 lockdown I've been going through photos of a pre-pandemic trip to South Africa in early spring (September). I feel South Africa is often overlooked as a travel destination, so could well be considered by those considering a future trip. Recommended: Table Mountain by cable car, thee Apartheid Museum, Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens, historic Company's Garden, the Stellenbosch hop-on, hop-off wineries tour and a small group wildflower tour up the Western Cape. I enjoyed a thoroughly interesting time and found the people friendly and helpful. For any safety concerns, check out the Lonely Planet and Rough Guides books.

Geoff Crowhurst, Thornbury, VIC

SOLID AS OAKS

We booked a Melbourne apartment with Oaks group for July, 2020 on a no refund basis but had to cancel due to COVID. Surprisingly, we received a full credit usable at any of their Australian properties by December, 2020. Ongoing COVID restrictions prevented travel by us until I recently needed to book a Broome apartment where there are Oaks properties. When asked they promptly agreed to honour the long-expired voucher. Had Oaks declined I would have no cause for complaint as I knew exactly what I bought last year. Full marks to Oaks.

John Wharton, Batemans Bay, NSW

Send us your travel-related tips, opinions and experiences

Letters may be edited for space, legal or other reasons. Preference will be given to letters of 50-100 words or less. Include your full name and suburb. Email us at travellerletters@traveller.com.au

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