Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre co-ordinator Nadine Simpson reported excellent numbers in the popular tourism town.
“It was very positive from our end with lots of people about enjoying themselves, going to the wineries, eateries, cycling, and walking around the area,” Ms Simpson said.
“There were always cars everywhere and restaurant advertising that they were booked out during the Christmas and New Year period which is fantastic.”
With new retail shops opening in the main street in the last six months, as well as the Victoria Hotel reopening, Ms Simpson said people were really enjoying Rutherglen’s new “shopping” atmosphere.
“You wouldn’t think of Rutherglen as a place where you go shopping, but that’s exactly what we’ve become with the new boutique stores opening up,” she said.
“The Vic reopening is also a really exciting time for locals and visitors. One thing we were hearing a lot is that there’s a great positive vibe in town now.”
Across the border in Corowa, Sanger Street was a hive of activity with bustling eateries and visitors flocking to the museum and parks.
Club Corowa CEO Peter Norris also remarked how well the club was supported throughout the busy Christmas and New Year period.
“Whilst the visitors to town were great and helped increase our numbers, the most pleasing aspect of the holiday period was the magnificent support of our local customers,” he said.
“They regularly introduced visiting friends and relatives to their local club and our bistro was booked out every night.
“For us, the busy period really started from our Christmas raffles and hasn’t really died down since. “December 2022 and January 2023 were record months for our club and we are up over 10 per cent on December and tracking the same for January 2024.
“Our New Years Eve celebrations with fireworks and Rebel Rose Rock Band live and free were a massive hit, so much so that we had to impose a lockout just after 10pm as we could not safely fit any more people into the venue.
“The behaviour of all customers throughout this period was also particularly pleasing with no issues whatsoever, which is remarkable really given thousands of people have visited.
“January should continue to be reasonably strong right through to the Australia Day long weekend with another Firework display at RSL Park on Saturday, January 27 at 9:30pm.”
The Rotary Club of Corowa’s firework event on New Year’s Eve, sponsored by Club Corowa were a hit with families.
“They were fantastic,” Rotarian Gary Poidevin told the Free Press.
“They were well presented, and we heard great reports from people after the event.
“Without the support of Club Corowa, this would not have been possible, and we thank them very much.”
While Christmas and New Year were busy, visitor numbers have since dropped thanks to the low river levels, sitting at around 1.7 metres.
Rivergum Holiday Park owner Eleisha Penney said it was very disappointing for park owners and visitors.
“We started of the festive period really well, but it’s just died off,” she said.
“We had a few campers who brought their boats but had to take them to get fixed because they hit logs and things in the water. A lot of visitors left early because the water is just too low to do anything.
“All we ask is for those in charge of the water to guarantee decent water levels at Christmas and Easter. So many towns right along the Murray rely on that tourism.”
