Great Ocean Road businesses are eager for tourists to return after fires and floods dramatically impacted their summer season. Areas like Lorne, Apollo Bay, and the Twelve Apostles suffered significantly, but strong Easter bookings offer hope. Wye River General Store owners Brydie Payten and Shaun McKinlay faced severe flooding, forcing a hasty evacuation and leading to costly repairs. The January deluge, the wettest on record at Mount Cowley, displaced hundreds and swept away vehicles. Despite intense damage, most businesses have reopened, but Wye River General Store remains closed due to extensive renovation needs.
The floods hit the local economy hard, with accommodation spending plummeting across affected areas, while nearby Warrnambool saw a 65% increase as tourists sought safer destinations. Ram Nunez, manager of the Cumberland River Holiday Park, also confronted flood devastation, losing both business and home. However, his park has since reopened, and he urges tourists to return, emphasizing local support’s importance.
Tourism bodies are striving to reassure visitors, combining marketing and word-of-mouth efforts to restore the region’s appeal. Easter hopes are high, with camp parks anticipating 90% occupancy. Long-time visitors like Neville and Chris Wright encourage others to return, confident in the community’s resilience and ongoing recovery efforts.