Visitors flocked to Lakes Entrance and surrounding towns in their droves over the long weekend.

The forecast cold weather held off and the sun shone to welcome everyone to the area after months of economic silence due to bushfires and coronavirus restrictions.

With hotels and restaurants opening to restricted numbers, the takeaway shops all did a good trade as well with not everyone able to get into a sit down venue.

Vicky Barrett, of the Slipway Café, said Saturday was busy in the morning then a lull until the evening when it boomed.

“Sunday was just flat out all day and even Monday lunch was busy too,” she said.

“All the customers were very patient and were happy to wait outside until their meal was ready.”

Vicky was happy she could employ her young workers for the whole weekend and give them some solid hours.

“They were happy to get some work even though it was very busy,” she said.

“I think people were just happy to get away for a weekend.”

Kirsten Kidd, at The Hub, had a brilliant weekend.

“It was like an upside down winter/summer,” she said.

“The business did really well and the weather holding up was a bonus.”

Sike Cheng has owned Footbridge Fish and Chips for four and a half years and the last five months have been a struggle.

“The bushfires, then the virus meant it was an absolute disaster,” he said.

“The last three days have been very busy, everyone has been good at waiting.”

Sike hopes that people think twice about overseas travel and hopefully holiday and travel locally to give the local economy a boost over winter.

Nick Wolffenbuttel, at Lakes Entrance Angler, had solid trade over the weekend.

“We sold heaps of kids fishing gear and noticed a lot of inland anglers coming down to the coast,” he said.

Nick said a lot of anglers are chasing billfish, but the weather off shore was not great.

“I do worry if there is a second wave of the virus, it will stop everything again,” he said.

One positive Nick is looking forward to is the completion of the upgrades to Bullock Island. He feels this project will be very popular with anglers.

Just Books opened on Saturday and Sunday and was also happy to see many people around.

“Business was good both days and it was nice to see so many people around the streets,” Elaine Medhurst said.

Elaine was happy to hear so many visitors comment they wanted to come down and spend.

Another fish and chip shop that was pumping all weekend was Fish a Fare.

Deb and John Upton prepared well for it and knew it was going to be busy, but not to the degree it was.

“It was like Boxing Day six months too late,” Deb said.

“It is so good for the town and everyone seemed pretty good at social distancing.”

John said they will never make up for what was lost over the past months, but for a winter boost, it was great.

Accommodation houses reported strong bookings on Saturday and Sunday night and hope these visitors make return visits in the coming months.

IMAGE: Nathan, Nelson and Estelle Archibald, visiting from Traralgon, made the most of eased coronavirus restrictions by enjoying a round at Esplanade Mini Golf, which had just reopened after 12 weeks being closed. K302-5465