Emma and Matt Burke, from Sydney, have been on holiday in Queenstown with their four children and three other families since last Thursday.
While the Burkes were to have stayed until Friday, they managed — after two and a-half hours on hold on Sunday night — to get an earlier flight home and will instead leave tomorrow.
Life in self-isolation across the Tasman would be challenging, though.
It had been about three weeks since there was any toilet paper available in supermarkets, there were no paper towels or flowing soap to be found and if a store had hand sanitiser in stock, it was stored behind lock and key.
Online grocery delivery services were also struggling under the increased demand. At present, deliveries are between 10 days and two weeks after order.
The Burkes had subscribed to a meal delivery service, similar to My Food Bag, for the next fortnight, but would also put in an online grocery order, in case they had to isolate for longer.
Fellow traveller Claire Leahey, who returns to Sydney today with her husband, Forester, and two sons, said they were reliant on grandparents to pick up some of the essentials to help get them through the self-isolation period.
"[They] are getting groceries for us — elderly and disabled people are allowed to shop between 7am and 8am, so I’ve sent a list to my mother-in-law.
"We’re worried about food[first] and then cabin fever. [It’s] going to be next level."
Hayley Jones, here with her husband, Matt — who completed Sunday’s Motatapu Marathon — and two sons, said the reality was starting to sink in.
"I was laughing about it [on Sunday] night; now it’s not so funny."
They, too, were mindful the self-isolation could go on longer than two weeks, but were prepared for that.
"I have a doomsday prepper for a husband — we’ve been preparing for this for months."
Mr Burke, a paramedic, said while it was important to be mindful and cautious there was little point in panicking about Covid-19.
"If you’re fit and healthy ... there’s a chance you may not catch it."
The measures being put in place were so the health systems could cope with those who were unwell, he said.
"It’s more we have no idea how long this could go on for — there is no end in sight."
