The best backgrounds to take you all around Australia.

What a time we live in. We’ve traded our weekend gatherings for pottering in the garden at home, and friendly catch-ups over coffee are now strictly done via video calls. Apps like Houseparty, Facetime, Skype, and Zoom, and their video calling capabilities, have become our saving grace in a time of social distancing. But, it’s pretty safe to say that your bedroom, loungeroom, or your junk-room-turned-home-office, aren’t exactly the most beautiful or professional spots to be video calling your friends and colleagues from. Nobody needs to see that much of your personal life.

Thankfully, Tourism Australia has got your back(ground).

If you’re at all familiar with Zoom and all its features, you’ll be aware that the wildly popular video calling app allows you to set a virtual background. Don’t ask us how it works – all we know is it’s brilliant. In partnership with Zoom, Tourism Australia have just launched 10 new backgrounds from scenic spots around Australia.

That’s right; you could be calling your friends from the rolling red of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia or the brilliantly white sand beaches of Esperance in Western Australia – places far more exotic than your couch. It’s super simple to do too. Just download the background pack and, you can escape the confines of your home for just a moment, taking yourself and your conversation buddy away on a virtual holiday!

How to change your background on Zoom Desktop App

1. Download your favourite Australian background images from www.Australia.com/Zoom and save to your computer.
2. Log into your Zoom account. Open your “Account Settings” (gear-wheel symbol) in the top right-hand corner.
3. Select “Virtual Background” 
4. Select “+” (plus symbol button) to upload the photo of your choice and you are ready to go!

How to change your background on Zoom Mobile App

1. Download your favourite Australian background images from www.Australia.com/Zoom and save to your phone.
2. Log into your Zoom account.
3. While in your meeting select “More” and then select “Virtual Background”
4. Select “+” (plus symbol button) to upload the photo of your choice and you are ready to go!

How to add a virtual background during a Zoom meeting

1. While in your meeting, find the pop-up menu next to the “Stop Video” option at the bottom of the video window and select “Choose Virtual Background”. This will take you straight to your virtual background settings.
2. Select the backdrop of your choice and you are ready to go

Feature image: Tourism Australia

See more: Travel news