State opens up while the city still looks on

While Victorians made do with takeaway and online shopping, boutique hotel operator Colleen Guiney discovered there’s no substitute for a weekend away.

Boutique hotel operator Colleen Guiney has been renovating her Drift House Hotel in Port Fairy during COVID-19 restrictions. Picture: David Geraghty

While Victorians made do with takeaway meals and online orders during the months of lockdown, boutique hotel operator Colleen Guiney discovered there’s no substitute for a weekend away.

Drift House in Port Fairy, 3½ hours’ southwest of Melbourne, is booked for the next three months.

A six-week ease in lockdown in June and July was “crazily busy”, according to Ms Guiney’s partner John Watkinson, and just “wonderful” according to Ms Guiney.

“People just flocked here and it was wonderful and they were just thankful to be able to have a break,” she said.

During lockdown, the pair caught up on some maintenance and completely overhauled one of the six suites, replacing carpet and cabinets, painting and adding a skylight — all with the architects stuck in Melbourne.

Anthony and Sharni Tapauto with their three boys Saxon, 13, Cooper, 11, and Atticus, 8, at St Kilda beach. Picture: Stefan Postles

Guests have postponed their bookings multiple times, and during the brief reprieve the hotel saw people who were meant to be on cruises in Alaska or trekking in Patagonia. “They said they didn’t realise they didn’t have to go so far to have a beautiful relaxing holiday,” Ms Guiney said.

Mr Watkinson said the pair was still wary about another lockdown if restrictions eased too quickly. He said while they hadn’t been too worried about the health aspects of coronavirus during the pandemic, the economic worries were greater.

“Tourism has been affected more so than hospitality,” he said.

“People have to come to us. We can’t do accommodation on a takeaway basis.”

Enjoying the sun at Melbourne’s St Kilda on Sunday, the Tarauto family had mixed feelings about restrictions easing in Melbourne. Parents Anthony and Sharni said the lockdown had their family trapped with little motivation or variation day to day but the low case count of 14 on Sunday was a sign things were looking up.

“It’s extraordinary … If people can follow the expected guidelines, it will make things easier for people,” Mr Tarauto said.

Slav and Olga Letiolat with their children Nikita, 1, and Leo, 4, enjoying ice cream and coffee at Middle Park beach. Picture: Stefan Postles

“I wouldn’t promote speeding (the roadmap) despite how frustrating it’s been.”

Ms Tarauto said everyone was hoping for the end of lockdown and the end of restrictions. “You hope so bad, you don’t think it’s going to happen,” she said.

At Middle Park in Melbourne’s inner south, Slav and Olga Leholat agreed it was good to see people’s persistence pay off. “It feels like a long time. I feel there’s a light at the end of the tunnel when you hear 14,” Mr Leholat said.

“It would be nice if Mr (Daniel) Andrews could open the restrictions up earlier than the 26th October. Are we waiting for the 26th or for the average first?”

Ms Leholat said lockdown had defeated the idea of a work/life balance. “There no such thing. It’s no longer working from home, it’s living at work,” she said. “I feel sorry for the government having to get so much backlash. Really, their intentions are right.”