Tourism Australia splurges $7MILLION on 'Holiday Here this Year' campaign starring Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster-Blake - even though interstate travel has been smashed by coronavirus lockdowns

Tourism Australia has spent $7million on a brand new campaign starring Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster-Blake to push people to take regional holidays.

The homegrown power couple are in lockdown in Melbourne, but are still urging travellers to book their next domestic holiday.

Stage four restrictions have been in effect across metropolitan Melbourne since August 2, meaning five million people have been unable to leave their house, let alone take a vacation.  

The campaign, Holiday Here this Year, launched on Tuesday across print, social media, radio and outdoor advertising.

It showcases big-ticket, popular destinations as well as those that are less familiar. 

Tourism Australia has spent $7million on a brand new campaign starring Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster-Blake to push people to take regional holidays

The couple say it's not exactly a tough sell as everyone 'feels like a holiday right now'. Pictured: Zoe and Hamish on Whitehaven Beach in Queensland

Hamish and Zoe are excited to help the tourism industry bounce back after a 'tough year'.

'It does feel special to be able to help promote our country because we love travelling, we love adventure, and we love Australia,' the couple said.

'So we can't really think of anything that's a better fit.'

The couple say it's not exactly a tough sell as everyone 'feels like a holiday right now'.

'Hopefully we can help to convince those people who were putting one off or had planned something overseas, to book a holiday here,' Hamish said.

'Not only will they create incredible memories, they'll be helping the tourism sector right across the country to bounce back.' 

Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa said losses in the tourism sector are believed to be as high as $1billion per month since the closure of international and state borders.

But she said with domestic restrictions lifting and consumer confidence improving, now is the perfect time to inspire Australians to book their next holiday.

The campaign, Holiday Here this Year, launched on Tuesday across print, social media, radio and outdoor advertising

'The campaign is all about galvanizing Australians to support their fellow Australians by booking a holiday wherever they can around the country,' Ms Harrison said. 

'With the peak summer travel period just around the corner, it is crucial that we continue to remind people of all the incredible destinations and tourism experiences that are right on their doorstep waiting to be explored.'

Ms Harrison said the campaign is just the first of many initiatives that will be implemented over the coming months to drive domestic demand.

'Our goal is to try and get Australians travelling differently by using the campaign platform to urge them to start ticking off their holiday bucket list or heading interstate for a trip of a lifetime,' she said.

'We're also excited to be welcoming Hamish and Zoe to our Friends of Australia program to help us tell our story by sharing their love of travel and providing plenty of holiday inspiration to Australians of all ages.' 

With domestic restrictions lifting and consumer confidence improving, now is the perfect time to inspire Australians to book their next holiday

The homegrown power couple are currently in lockdown in Melbourne but are now inspiring travellers to book their next domestic holiday. Pictured: Hamish and Zoe Foster-Blake at One & Only Wolgan Valley.

The campaign showcases big-ticket, popular destinations as well as those that are less familiar

Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the campaign will hopefully push more Australians into different cities or tourism regions.

'Tourism employs one in 13 Australians and is the backbone of so many businesses across Australia, but the industry has been hard hit by the COVID-19 crisis,' Minister Birmingham said. 

'With interstate travel now possible to many parts of Australia, there isn't a better opportunity than right now for Aussies to book a plane ticket, head to an interstate destination and help save a tourism business or the job of a fellow Australian.'

With no end in sight for the closure of international borders Mr Birmingham is urging people to try something new and head somewhere they have never been before.

'Whether it be a surf lesson in Byron Bay, a wine tasting experience in the Adelaide Hills, a boat trip out to the Great Barrier Reef or a guided walking tour in the Top End, Australia has so many unique and wonderful tourism experiences,' he said. 

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AND BORDER CLOSURES 

VICTORIA

Despite Victoria being fully open it is effectively closed off to the rest of Australia due to bans in every other state.

Residents returning to Victoria from other states do not have to quarantine at home.

There are also travel restrictions within the state preventing people living in metropolitan Melbourne from travelling into regional areas. 

NEW SOUTH WALES

The only border restrictions currently in place in NSW apply to Victorians, with residents of Victoria or anyone who has been in the state requiring a permit.

NSW residents will be able to travel to most states and territories, including Queensland from November 1. 

QUEENSLAND

Queensland shifted its border zone, bringing in five NSW local government areas including Byron and Ballina from October 1.

This means Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Richmond Valley, and Glen Innes were added to the border zone and can travel into the state, while Queensland residents could also travel into those areas.

'The Queensland side of the border zone will no longer exist,' Gold Coast Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said. 

'For instance, if you are in Cairns and you decide that you want to go to Byron Bay, you are able to do that after the 1st of October.' 

From November 1, NSW residents will be able to travel without hotel quarantine into Queensland. 

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

People who are not ACT residents cannot enter the territory from Victoria unless they hold an exemption. 

All other states can enter the territory. 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Western Australia has the strongest restrictions in the country and is closed to everyone, including residents who wish to return home.

Residents must obtain an exemption and will need to quarantine at home for 14 days.

Those who have been to NSW or Victoria in the last 14 days will find it harder to get approval on their exemption. 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Travellers from Victoria including SA residents are not able to return, with some essential travellers being exempt. 

Residents and non-residents from NT, ACT, Queensland, Tasmania, NSW and WA can enter without restriction or mandatory quarantine.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Northern Territory is now open to most of Australia, removing its coronavirus hotspot status from Greater Sydney in October. 

From October 9 arrivals from Greater Sydney do not need to undertake 14 days of supervised quarantine. 

All people travelling to the NT must complete the border entry form.

For those who arrive in the NT after travelling through a declared hotspot, they must remain in mandatory quarantine for 14 days since leaving the hotspot. 

TASMANIA 

All travellers except for essential travellers currently have to undergo 14-day quarantine and seek approval to enter Tasmania.

Tasmania will ease border restrictions for people travelling from all states except New South Wales and Victoria on October 26.

The situation is continuing to be monitored in NSW. A further update will be provided for people travelling from NSW prior to October 26.

Border restrictions will also remain in place for people travelling from Victoria until further notice.