Welcome to 2024.
The new year is officially here, and visitors have flocked to East Gippsland to soak up the sunshine and enjoy the holidays.
Once again, the Marlo Hotel was fully sold out for New Year’s Eve on Sunday night, with locals and visitors flocking to the popular pub to listen to Gippsland-based rock cover band, Jarbeque.
The Orbost Club Hotel hosted its first New Year’s Eve celebration with its new owners, with Tony Scriven providing the music and atmosphere.
Businesses reported a slightly slower start to the busy period, but trade has been booming ever since.
“It was a bit of a slower start to the holidays, probably because it was a bit wet, but it was very busy around New Years, and is now staying consistently busy so far across us and our wholesale customers in the region,” owner of the River Baker Cafe, Jane Keats, said.
“We have our fingers crossed people continue to visit Orbost and East Gippsland throughout January.”
Caravan parks in both Orbost and Marlo have been reported to be going strongly, despite the quickly changing weather conditions.
IMAGE: No rest for the parents at the Marlo Playground on New Years Day with children enjoying the most of the sunshine, including cousins Hadley Templin, Mila Voss, Thea Templin and Linc Voss who were playing in the sand pit.