Recently updated on March 4th, 2025 at 11:33 am
The Australia New Zealand travel bubble has been confirmed to open mid-April, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sharing the exciting news in a press conference today. After an unprecedented year of staying within our own borders, New Zealand and Australian travellers are surely counting down the days until they can pop over and begin exploring. With raw natural beauty, wonderful foodie scenes and cultural experiences to uncover, it only makes sense that we’re eagerly awaiting the announcement of the Trans-Tasman Bubble. But, what does it all mean? Here, we break down what the new covid-safe travel bubble will mean for travellers once it opens.
What is the Trans-Tasman Bubble?
The Trans-Tasman Bubble is an exclusive travel corridor that would allow leisurely, quarantine-free travel to open between New Zealand and Australia. Residents of both countries would be able to travel between the two, allowing people to reconnect with friends, family and – best of all – to start travelling again.
Both Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have expressed their willingness to open a covid-safe travel zone, with conversations of how it could effectively operate going all the way back to mid-2020.
Due to their impressive COVID-19 management, New Zealanders were welcomed back into Australia back with quarantine-free travel in October 2020. Now, Aussies will have the offer returned as the bubble officially opens.
When will the Trans-Tasman Bubble open?
The Trans-Tasman Bubble is set to open at 11:59 pm Wellington time on the 18th of April 2021 – which means travellers will be able to enjoy quarantine-free travel from the week commencing 19th of April 2021. Just a couple of short weeks away!
“This is an exciting day. The Trans-Tasman bubble represents the start of a new chapter in our COVID response and recovery one that people have worked so hard for, and this makes New Zealand and Australia relatively unique,” Jacinda Ardern said live from the press conference today.
Where can I travel within Australia right now?
As you prepare to travel across the ditch to New Zealand, there are also plenty of incredible experiences to be had within Australia. Take a soul-stirring trip to sacred Uluru, indulge yourself in the wineries and award-winning foodie scene of South Australia or take on the soaring peaks of Tasmania’s impeccable wilderness. See more ways to make the most of holidaying here this year with Trafalgar.
GET INSPIRED: Tastes of Southern Australia, Tassie’s Parks & Nature
Just remember to keep an eye on the border restrictions for your location, as they are subject to change at any time. At the moment, you can travel freely between most states and territories – but there are some new rules in place surrounding Brisbane and Queensland due to the recent outbreak. For all states and territories, be sure to check the relevant state or territory website.
Where can I travel within New Zealand right now?
With natural beauty of sights like Milford Sound, adrenaline rushes in places like Queenstown and cultural experiences led by the Maōri people – there’s a lot to love about exploring your home country.
All of New Zealand is currently at Alert Level 1; which means New Zealanders can travel anywhere else with the same Alert Level as long as they follow protocols. In short, you can travel anyplace you like but the government asks you to keep track of where you’ve travelled in case of an outbreak. Make sure you keep your eyes across the latest updates on the New Zealand Government website.
GET INSPIRED: Contrasts of New Zealand
When will Trafalgar start running New Zealand and Australian trips?
We’ve got some wonderful news to share: Trafalgar trips are currently running in New Zealand and Australia! Meaning you can holiday at home, creating incredible travel memories, while we wait for the bubble to open.
You can find out about the Australian domestic trips and New Zealand domestic trips on our website.