From the ashes
At the height of Australia’s tourism season, stretching from late November well into the new year, the bush blackened and the sky turned flame-red. Fire tore through towns and razed the bush, destroying millions of hectares of land and causing mass evacuations across the country.
News headlines were a procession of destruction and devastation; many were left without homes and even more without the jobs and income usually generated by tourists. With cancellation rates as high as 70 per cent, millions of dollars lost and surplus stock from a deserted tourism season, several fire-affected towns are struggling to rebuild.
Months later, as we edge out of the season of long weekends, as city dwellers resume their term -time routines, it’s more important than ever to look to the plight of fire-affected communities.
If you’re planning a getaway, this year or next (or even the next), we urge you to support regional retailers and producers by hitting the road and spending money with small businesses. Day trip, weekend adventure or week-long retreat, the bush needs your support, now and in the future.
There are many people, producers and businesses in these affected areas that need your support. The examples we’ve listed below are just a selection to whet your travel taste buds.
Road-trip around southern NSW
Why we love it
From the city of Wollongong stretching to Eden, a wild coastline is flanked by national parks that retreat west to a smattering of Heritage hinterland towns in
