INSIDE THIS EDITION…
15 MEDALS AT PIE COMP, PAGE 3
20 NOVEMBER - 3 DECEMBER, 2020
BELLARINE’S NUMBER ONE NEWSPAPER
FREE FORTNIGHTLY
Sun and sand As the mercury soared into the 30s on Sunday, and with the state open to all, people flocked from everywhere to enjoy the Bellarine Peninsula. Voice photographer Lousia Jones caught up with Aurora and Milly having fun in the sand on the Barwon Heads side of the bridge. ■ More pictures: Page 15
Tourists flock to Bellarine By Justin Flynn Caravan and holiday parks across the Bellarine are struggling to keep up with demand as Melburnians flock to the area to enjoy their new-found ‘freedom’. With regional Victoria reopened to metropolitan Melbourne on November 9, the Bellarine Peninsula is starting to reap the rewards of the incoming tourist dollars. Queenscliff’s Big4 Beacon Resort has struggled to keep up with demand since travel restrictions on Melburnians were lifted. “Since the announcements, it’s been like the lights switched on again and all of a sudden the phones were ringing all day, every day,”
operations and marketing manager Emme Malone said. “It’s very exciting for our team, our town and our guests that we are able to welcome back Melbourne to the Bellarine. Since the ‘ring of steel’ was removed, we have taken over 400 bookings and booked 36 per cent more room nights than the same week last year, which is a huge relief after a tough six months for our industry. The park feels alive again, it’s so wonderful to see families reconnecting and kids running around having fun again.” Barwon Coast said there was high demand for bookings at its three parks – Barwon Heads Caravan Park, Riverview Family Caravan Park and Riverside Camping Ground.
“The minute the premier finished his press conference, the phones were ringing off the hook,” Barwon Coast manager accommodation services Daniel Payne said. “Our parks are getting a pile of interest. We already had a solid booking for summer, but we are anticipating a prolonged peak season.” Bellarine Bayside Holiday Park Portarlington manager Rod Newnham said it wasn’t just Melburnians who had flocked to the area. “Prior to the easing of restrictions, our bookings were slightly stronger than they were last year for the peak season and they are even more so now that Melburnians are able to visit regional Victoria again,” he said. “Interestingly, since the Portarlington
holiday park has reopened we have experienced a higher number of regional Victorians making bookings than in previous years. “We are seeing people taking advantage of the warmer weather and they are continuing to take advantage of being able to travel. “We have had an extremely positive response to packages and deals that we have extended, including those that are not available until February next year.” Collendina Caravan Park’s Joan Steains said she took 212 bookings last weekend and that “things were heating up”. “It’s great for the whole area because they go out for coffee and breakfast and everyone benefits,” she said.
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