While the pandemic has given many of us the opportunity to explore parts of Australia we never knew about, let’s face it – being grounded gets a bit dull after a while.

With lots of talk about ‘travel bubbles’ and ‘corona corridors’ (where two countries have a mutual agreement to open their borders to each other) lots of people are asking when one of our favourite destinations will welcome back Aussies.

So, when can Australians travel to Bali?

 Bali is set to re-open its borders to international visitors on 11 September. All foreign arrivals must have evidence of a negative PCR COVID-19 test and must self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival.

While there have been reports that Indonesia is in negotiations with Canberra to include Australians to be amongst the first international tourists allowed back into the country,  Australia’s borders are still firmly closed.

 The co-ordinating minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan said that Indonesia was eager to create a travel bubble with countries such as Australia, New Zealand and China. But despite Indonesia’s keenness, an Australia-Bali travel bubble seems all but impossible to happen in time for Bali’s September border opening.

The proposed Bali travel bubble

Phil Turtle, the president of the Australia Indonesia Business Council, told The Australian a travel bubble between the two countries was “a great ambition to have when the correct protocols and health situation is such that we are in a position to do that”. With COVID-19 cases rising in Indonesia, Turtle added that he thought a travel bubble was unlikely to happen before the end of the year.

So with a Bali bubble ruled out for now, we’ll just have to content ourselves with making a list of all the amazing Bali restaurants we’re going to visit when we can finally travel again.

Related: South Pacific travel bubble proposal is a step closer to reality