King Valley and Bright are open for business as post-bushfire recovery begins
From a professional cycling race to unique shops, couple’s retreats and family activities, Victoria’s high country has plenty on offer with business owners confident towns will bounce back after the fires.
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Victoria’s northeast wine region is getting back to business with a glass half-full attitude.
Despite being hit with evacuation notices as fires tore through the region in early January, tourist favourites Bright, King Valley, Myrtleford and Mount Beauty are looking as picture perfect as ever.
Bright store owner Amanda Ralph, who runs year-round Christmas shop Country Heart and Home, said she was certain the town would bounce back.
“We’re fortunate because people can drive from Melbourne and back on a tank of fuel,” Ms Ralph said.
“You can come here and have an inexpensive family holiday or a couple’s retreat — there’s different things for different people.
“You can park your car up and walk to everything. Plus there are 32 different unique little shops in town that you won’t find in your shopping malls.”
At King Valley’s La Cantina vineyard, third-generation winemaker Reuben Corsini is pushing ahead despite losing two weeks of trade and concern bushfire smoke had damaged this year’s crop.
“Hopefully we haven’t been affected or if we have it’s minimal and we can deal with it,” he said.
“We’re just continuing as usual until we get the data back.
“If we were to lose a vintage, there’d be a lot of people who’ll have a really tough year. So more people in the area would make a big difference.
“Not only for the money but also for morale. It’s always good when people are out and about and the area is hustling and bustling.”
Bright — one of the high country’s most popular destinations — was evacuated at the start of the year but is ready to welcome back visitors.
Billy Button Wines manager Grant Williams assured would-be visitors there was nothing to be afraid of. Trade during the Australia Day weekend was positive, he added.
“Everyone showed their hand on that long weekend — it was amazing,” Mr Williams said.
“It felt like that January rush again.
“But then Tuesday came and it was all gone. We’d gone from hero to zero.
“There’s really no danger for anyone coming back. The fireys did an awesome job protecting the town.”
In the Kiewa Valley, businesses in Mt Beauty are also doing everything to recover.
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Hairdresser Natalie Raymond, who runs a guesthouse in nearby Harrietville, said an outpouring of support since the fires was lifting spirits.
“We just have to cope, be positive and think that everyone is in the same boat — it’s not just us,” Ms Raymond said.
“I do really think people will come back and support us here in Mt Beauty. There have been people coming up filling their Eskies — it’s been really good to see.
“I think the people that are coming up are feeling our pain.”
The Jayco Herald Sun Tour has been given the all-clear to race through the region from Wednesday to Saturday.
The women’s race will hold a stage on roads out of Falls Creek on Thursday.
“As the oldest stage race in Australia, we also understand the support we can offer the local communities in the regions recently affected by natural disaster,” race director Scott McGrory said.
“The local businesses need support and through our national and international media reach we will demonstrate how amazing these regions are.”