The residents of bushfire affected tourist regions should visit each other’s stamping grounds on recreational trips in 2020.
Here are some impressions of a February 2020 trip through a region with plenty of tourist accommodation intact.
Approaching the Eurobodalla Local Government Area from Nowra or Clyde Mountain, there are many burnt areas but there is epicormic growth on the gums and, in some places, green Burrawang cycads below. After recent rain, the cattle pastures look very lush.
The villages around Murramarang National Park have generally been saved. Bawley Point residents are still having their lawns mowed by Eastern Grey Kangaroos.
While the waves crash and foam around Kioloa Beach and Brush Island, the dune vegetation provides a dull green backdrop. Volunteers are planting new shrubs beside Durras Lake.
The tourist meccas of Central Tilba, Tilba Tilba and Bodalla are trading their usual attractive wares. So is Mogo, unashamed of its fire scars.
In Eurobodalla National Park, the pelicans float on Lake Corunna with multiple shades of green on the slopes behind.
© Christine Davies and Don Morison