ACCOMMODATION providers and visitor centres at Narooma and Bermagui are reporting a good, early tourist season this Christmas holidays.
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Interestingly, some are saying the whole of last week was busy with visitors coming to the Far South Coast to celebrate Christmas day camping or at the beach.
Typically, the real crowds don’t arrive until after Boxing Day but this year campgrounds at Dalmeny, Narooma, Island View Beach and Mystery Bay were all bustling on Christmas Eve.
Narelle Bate at Ben Bate Real Estate said it was nice to have so many bookings for actual Christmas, and that crowds were now fairly typical for the peak period between December 25 and New Year’s Day.
“The real test will come next week when we see how many stay on,” she said.
Craig and Annette Boulton who operate the campgrounds at Dalmeny and Mystery Bay are also saying it has been a good season, even having to call motels when there were no campsites left.
He said Narooma and the area was increasingly realising that tourism and visitors were now vital to the economy and needed to be catered for.
“The rising tide lifts all ships and the more we have to offer, the more people will come,” Craig said.
Bermagui, like Narooma, was busy earlier this year with people celebrating Christmas in town.
“After another influx of visitors the day after Boxing Day, the town is now packed with people enjoying a summer holiday,” said Christine Bimson at the Bermagui Visitor Information Centre.
“The weather has been great and lots of people into water sports - fishing, swimming, stand up paddle boarding and kayaking. Other attractions that are very popular are the Montreal Goldfield tour, our coastal walks to Wallaga Lake and Cuttagee and visits to Mimosa Rocks National Park and Mumbulla Falls.
“Shops and eateries are doing a roaring trade. Accommodation is heavily booked with few vacancies going forward.”
The Narooma News asked visitors what brought them to Narooma and whether they’ve enjoyed their stay…
“We’re on a family holiday with 17 in our group. We always go to the beach and decided to come to Narooma this time. Kids what do we think out of 10 – ‘10 out of 10’ - and will we be back - ‘Yeah!’”
Justin Hoy and kids
Melbourne
“We’re visiting family. We like the beach – it’s clean, warm and not too crowded and there is a place for the kids to swim.”
Andre Barilaro
Melbourne
“We’ve been coming here for 20 years plus. Narooma is priced right and not too busy with some peace and quiet. We were able to get a table for dinner last night without any wait. It’s got everything.”
John Wilson
Wagga
“It’s really clean with great facilities like the bike paths. There are lots of options when it comes to waterways – the beach or the lagoon. There are parks for the kids and great seafood too.”
Joanne and Charlie McKillen
Sydney
