These are testing times for tourism in the Far South Coast region, with many businesses finding the need for optimism and innovation in order to stay afloat.
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Jenny and Arthur Robb are an example of that, literally, having pivoted to kayaking as the main focus of their wilderness tours since the partial closure of the Light to Light Walk.
In the aftermath of the devastating bushfire period, the couple, who have run Light to Light Camps since 2017, learned from National Parks and Wildlife Service that the immense impact of the Border Fire on Bittangabee National Park meant the walk would not open again fully until 2022.
Hazardous conditions and bushfire damage on the 30km walk led to its partial closure, to allow time for habitat to recover and for repairs of park infrastructure, with only the shortest section between Bittangabee to Green Cape currently open.
Ms Robb said the news was not a surprise to them, as their property, located 20km north of Ben Boyd National Park at Kiah, was also heavily impacted.
"We saw images soon after the fire and drove into the park to see for ourselves... the damage was extensive and in areas the vegetation has completely disappeared," Ms Robb said.
"We were reeling with the realisation we wouldn't be able to run our usual tours for two years," Ms Robb said.
The upshot for the couple is further time and energy to put in to Kiah Wilderness Tours, through which they offer kayaking and camping experiences in beautiful areas of wilderness.
"We've been testing our new COVID-conscious kayak tour operations and are ready to welcome guests now it's warming up," Ms Robb said.
The kayak tours are all about exploring nature at your own pace on a quiet coastal estuary, brimming with bird and fish life, and no previous experience is needed.
The camping element of the booked experiences is akin to "glamping", designed with comfort and rejuvenation in mind.
Ms Robb said partnering with a number of local businesses allowed guests to tailor experiences to suit, including A Pinch of Yum catering, Wonboyn Wilderness Oysters, photography tours with Phil Small, whale watching with Cat Balou, dive tours with Dive Eden, licensed mobile bar Peisley's, and Alignment Within pilates.
"I'm big on partnerships and collaboration, we have some really good operators in this area, we may as well work together, we have all had a pretty tough year," Ms Robb said.
"We want to generate business for as much of our community as possible," Ms Robb said.
As kayak guides, Kiah Wilderness Tours are accredited by Australian Canoeing/Paddle NSW and provide all necessary equipment.
"We are hopeful that the situation in Victoria continues in a downwards trend, we would love to see some Victorians over the Christmas break, we are feeling cautiously optimistic," Ms Robb said.
"There's light at the end of the tunnel, even if it's a bit further away."
See Kiah Wilderness Tours online and on Facebook for more details.
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Leah Szanto
Regional journalist covering the Far South Coast of NSW.
Regional journalist covering the Far South Coast of NSW.
