COVID-19-induced travel restrictions look like they’ll remain part of life for some time to come, especially by air. That’s bad news for those of us in Melbourne, particularly, still enduring months of enforced local isolation.

We at Madam Wheels are not sure about other Melburnians, but the first thing we’re going to do once our 5km lockdown radius is removed is get into a car and go for a very long drive! Anywhere will do.

Of course, in Australia, the possibilities are endless, we’re spoilt for choice. But a fantastic new initiative might take some of the guesswork out of choosing where to go while helping struggling Australian communities at the same time.

‘We really want to encourage all Australians to enjoy the beautiful land in which we live and ensure small businesses can revive and prosper.’

Empty Esky was set up to support communities hit hard by last summer’s Australian bushfires. The not-for-profit tourism movement encouraged Australians to hit the road with empty eskys then fill them up with goods and local produce purchased from small business in those fire-effected communities.

Now, with the backing of Jeep Australia, Empty Esky founders Eleanor Baillieu and Erin Boutros have launched an interactive new website to make it easer for users to consider pre-prepared itineraries to places around Australia. Options range from Lakes Entrance, in eastern Victoria, a foodie’s guide to the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, and the Scenic Rim region in south-east Queensland.

A clever feature on the Empty Esky site is an interactive map which enables Empty Esky road trippers to design their own itineraries and have it delivered to their inboxes.