Port Campbell and the nearby Twelve Apostles have been inundated with visitors heading to the Great Ocean Road for Chinese new year.
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Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre co-ordinator Mark Cuthell said the town got behind the celebration. “Many domestic and other international visitors have been surprised by just how busy this period is for us and, quite frankly, three years ago we would have been surprised ourselves.
“Accommodation has been solidly booked in the lead-up to new year and bookings are extremely strong well into next week and beyond. This year the demand for accommodation seems to have spread out beyond the traditional holiday period and we expect to be busy for longer.”
Decorations were placed at the information centre and some local restaurants. Centre staff also learned the traditional new year greeting and some basic phrases to help Chinese visitors feel at home.
“These phrases are helpful but more importantly allow us to break the ice, show respect and share a laugh with our visitors,” Mr Cuthell said.
“Decorations at the visitor information centre were purchased as part of a collective buy-in by members of the Twelve Apostles Tourism and Business Association. Some local restaurants have put up decorations and Waves in Port Campbell has put on a special translated menu for this period for the last three years.”