South-East holiday destination Robe reports huge influx of travellers during winter of COVID-19 restrictions
The South-East town Robe has reported a huge surge in travellers during what would usually be their off-season, as COVID-19 restrictions lead people to holiday at home instead of overseas.
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If this winter is anything to go by, Robe’s traditional draw as a summer holiday hotspot might be a thing of the past.
The South-East town is reporting a surge in support from day-trippers and overnight tourists flowing into the area during the cooler months, as COVID-19 has shut off our access to other holiday destinations.
Robe Council chief executive James Holyman said many retailers and eateries were reporting increases in takings of 150-200 per cent.
Adam Brooks, owner of restaurant Sails at Robe said he opened the business over winter – traditionally a quiet time – to help keep up the work for locals.
“The weekends were just crazy and like summer days,” Mr Brooks said.
“It’s definitely been an unusual winter scenario in Robe. It just goes to show you how many people are travelling in SA.”
Mr Brooks believes travel restrictions brought on by the pandemic have opened up the town to a steady number of tourists who might otherwise be heading to destinations such as Bali
or Queensland.
The milder winter also helped, he said, and inspired many groups to hire holiday homes for a few days over an extended weekend.
Robe Tourism Association secretary Lisa Hall, who owns Sea Vu Caravan Park, said the town’s retail outlets were doing better during the cooler months “than they could have dreamt of”.
“Robe is very seasonal but we’re finding that the shoulder months are creeping into our peak season now,” she said. “We’re pretty lucky with what we’ve got here – we have a main street full of beautiful cafes and retail outlets and beautiful beaches. There’s so much to do
in Robe.”
Robe Town Brewery moved to a new, larger venue in January, and owner Kristi Biezaite said this year she noticed more first-time visitors in town. “It’s quite uplifting that there are so many people coming,”
she said.
“Every weekend of nice weather, the town is full. The whole thing has also made us realise how much we rely on those people who come.”
