How the coronavirus restrictions impact six favourite Easter long weekend activities

Many Australians would flock to these six recreational activities on most long weekends, but this one will be very different.

Police on horses enforce social distancing regulations at Bondi Beach.

Police on horses enforce social distancing regulations at Bondi Beach. Source: AAP

New South Wales

Beachgoing: All beaches in Waverley and Randwick council areas, including Bondi, are closed along with beaches at Manly and Dee Why in Sydney's north following mass gatherings. Exercise is allowed on other beaches, with police saying it's limited to two people together or a household, but sunbaking is not regarded as exercise.

Bushwalking: Most popular national park areas are closed and any that are open are restricted to parties of no more than two unrelated people "from the local community".
Cycling: Allowed with the same two-person or household restriction as for beaches and bushwalking.

Fishing: Allowed, but NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller warned: "If fishing is your exercise then you can fish. But if you end up on a wharf with 50 other people, then we get back to safe distancing and getting tickets."

Golf: Allowed, but not in groups of more than two.

Tennis: Singles games allowed.
NSW Police officers ask a family to move on while on patrol at Rushcutters Bay park in Sydney.
NSW Police officers ask a family to move on while on patrol at Rushcutters Bay park in Sydney. Source: AAP

Northern Territory

Beachgoing: Beaches are open, with police enforcing a limit of 10 people, but encouraging no more than two or family-only groups.

Bushwalking: Most national parks are shut, including Kakadu and Uluru Kata Tjuta. In Top End, Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Charles Darwin National Park, George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens and Fogg Dam are open. In Central Australia, Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve and some areas of West MacDonnell National Park are open.

Cycling: Allowed on roads, legally required to be in groups of 10 or less but advised to limit it to two.

Fishing: Only two people allowed per boat or households. Delay trips and return later if ramps crowded.

Golf: All 11 courses in NT have been ordered to close.

Tennis: Not allowed.
A Public Health environmental health officer, NT Police officer and an Australian Defence Force member check in on those self isolating.
A Public Health environmental health officer, NT Police officer and an Australian Defence Force member check in on those self isolating. Source: NT NEWS

Queensland (people told to stay in their suburbs)

Beachgoing: Three Gold Coast beaches - The Spit, Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta - are closed. People can exercise, including surf, on other beaches if living within walking distance.

Bushwalking: Some national parks fully closed, popular areas closed in others.

Cycling: Allowed as exercise, to ride to work, education, medical care and shops. People can ride alone, with one other person or those from the same household.

Fishing: Boats can be taken out locally to catch fish for food or travel for essential reasons, with no more than two people, or immediate family members on board.

Golf: Some courses are open, with groups limited to two people. One person allowed in cart at a time.

Tennis: Tennis Queensland recommended all tennis clubs close.
A police officer directs passengers who came on a special international repatriation flight as they arrive in Brisbane.
A police officer directs passengers who came on a special international repatriation flight as they arrive in Brisbane. Source: AAP

South Australia

Beachgoing: All beaches are open, but people are urged to stay away. Exercise is allowed, but restricted to groups of two. Sunbaking is possible for groups under 10 people - one per four square metres.

Bushwalking: Most parks are open for bushwalking, but people are encouraged to only visit those nearby and, where possible, limit their groups to two people. The following parks closed for health reasons: Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island, and Naracoorte and Tantanoola Caves in the southeast.

Cycling: Allowed, but people are urged to stick to groups of no more than two and advised to cycle only with others from same household.

Fishing: Recreational fishing is allowed from shore and boats.

Golf: Some courses are closed, but golfing is allowed elsewhere, with no more than 10 people in group.

Tennis: Some courts open, with same group rule.
Shoppers waiting outside a Coles supermarket at Firle in Adelaide.
Shoppers waiting outside a Coles supermarket at Firle in Adelaide. Source: AAP

Tasmania

Beachgoing: Beaches in national parks and reserves are off limits as part of closures, but council-controlled beaches are open.

Bushwalking: All national parks and reserves are closed.

Cycling: Allowed under distancing rules.

Fishing: A maximum of two people are allowed on day-fishing trips and they must return to their primary residence. Boats can only be launched from the municipality of the owner's primary residence.

Golf: Social golf only allowed, with a limit of two people per hole, e.g. maximum of 36 people on an 18-hole course.

Tennis: Tennis Tasmania recommended all tennis cease temporarily.
An interim assessment clinic was set up near the Launceston General Hospital in March.
An interim assessment clinic was set up near the Launceston General Hospital in March. Source: EPA

Victoria

Beachgoing: Non-group access for exercise, such as for a run or walking a dog, but some are closed including: St Kilda Beach, Rye Front and Ocean Beaches, Bells Beach, Anglesea Main Beach, Lorne Main Beach.

Bushwalking: Closed national parks include Grampians, Alpine and Wilsons Promontory, while Great Otway National Park and Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park are partially open for local community members to exercise only. Other parks and reserves remain accessible for exercise with strict physical distancing.

Cycling: Solo, two-person and household group rides are permitted, but Bicycle Network says: "Do not go on any group, organised training or bunch rides."

Fishing: Banned.

Golf: All golf courses are shut for the weekend.

Tennis: Restricted, with "communal use" of tennis balls and racquets.
A closure sign is seen on Mordialloc beach at sunrise in Melbourne.
A closure sign is seen on Mordialloc beach at sunrise in Melbourne. Source: AAP

Western Australia

Beachgoing: WA government warned popular metropolitan beaches such as Cottesloe may be closed if there's widespread social distancing breaches. Preston Beach in Shire of Waroona closed and restricted vehicle access to White Hills and Tims Thicket beaches in Mandurah to deter holidaymakers.

Bushwalking: National parks are open, aside from some sites within parks that normally receive high visitor numbers.

Cycling: Allowed, with same two-person or household restriction as for beaches and bushwalking.

Fishing: Recreational fishers are "encouraged" to stay home for now.

Golf: Many courses are open, but Cottesloe, Joondalup, Sun City and The Cut are among top-rated courses closed in the metro area. Some country clubs, including Bremer Bay, are closed. The same two-person or household restriction applies.

Tennis: The decision to close has been left up to local governments or private operators. The same two-person or household restriction applies.
Members of the public are seen walking past a sign reading '1.5 metres apart' at Scarborough Beach, Perth.
Members of the public are seen walking past a sign reading '1.5 metres apart' at Scarborough Beach, Perth. Source: AAP

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5 min read
Published 10 April 2020 8:22am
Updated 10 April 2020 11:10am



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