Holidays looking good for summer!

You only had to visit the beach or go buy some bread in the September school holidays to know that town was BUSY!

Carpark spaces were sparse, the servo queues long, but smiles were wide.

It was like summer was here already – except water temps were a little more invigorating. That didn’t stop the tourists or locals from making the most of the uninterrupted sunny days.

There was almost universal agreement from business owners that the second week was pumping.

Juanita Vell from Chilly Bin agreed. “We were really surprised – it was very busy!”

There were also reports of an increase in accommodation bookings, which proves the old adage “when the sun starts shining – ‘phones keep ringing”!

The long weekend finished off a fantastic holiday period, with the exception of some international exposure of the unfortunate erosion and loss of vehicles and property on Inskip Point.

The publicity drew record crowds to the Community News Facebook page and we even received queries from interstate and overseas – including reassuring a worried mum! It certainly put our quiet town on the map.

Tin Can Bay also drew crowds with the very successful Seafood Festival. Volunteers from the Dolphin Centre said they had 200 people every day in the holidays, and the stars of the centre came in every day. In fact, they say there have only been 3 or 4 days this year the dolphins haven’t arrived for breakfast.

Traffic increased to and from Gympie and Maryborough, and was commented on all over the coast.

Carolyn Elder from Rainbow Beach 4×4 Hire said they have just expanded their fleet to nine vehicles to meet the growing demand.

“We are expecting a huge summer. Some days are already booked out for the next school holidays, including our new vehicle.”

Locals keep predicting a hot, hot summer ….  for now we’ll soon welcome some Schoolies (hopefully no Toolies) and get down to the beach!