The Tamworth couple got tied up in the global coronavirus crisis after passengers on the cruise-liner they were on - the Diamond Princess - were infected with COVID-19.

On Thursday, March 5 - exactly two months after they first boarded the cruise - the Whithams will be able to leave quarantine.

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Mr Whitham said: "We are scheduled to finish here [Darwin] at 1.30am."

It will mean the couple have completed two quarantine periods - one in Darwin and one on the Diamond Princess.

They should learn the specific times of their flights back to Tamworth on Wednesday.

"We may sit around for 12 hours until we get away," Mr Whitham said.

A passenger on the Diamond Princess - a 78-year-old Perth man - became the first Australian person to die from the coronavirus on Sunday morning.

While Mr Whitham said the death was "concerning", he was not worried about he and his wife's health.

The pair have been cleared of the virus on several occasions.

"We are not fearful and we just wish to get back to what we do best at home," he said.

The Whithams have been keeping up to date with the news in Tamworth during their time away. They are keen to see what effect the rain has had and they also want to thank residents.

"Barbara and I wish to thank the people of our region and beyond for their care and concern for us in the is most unusual circumstance and trying time," he said.