Bear Gully booked out and in full swing

CARAVANS and tents were popping up on Friday at Bear Gully as visitors welcomed back the recent reopening of the site.

A favourite amongst locals, located at Walkerville near Cape Liptrap and overlooking Wilsons Prom, the site had been closed since February 2023 before reopening in time for Christmas.

Locals and visitors were looking forwards to their weekend away even if it was only down the road for locals like the Chaiyot and Sriraksa families who were busy erecting their tent on Friday just after lunchtime in glorious weather.

“We’re from Inverloch and Stony Creek and it’s our fourth and second times (respectively). We were meant to come over Easter, but it was closed, so we are glad to have been able to come down again now.”

Less than 40 minutes from home, it’s the perfect escape. 

Melbourne visitors Vivian, Kim, Pip and Matt with little ones Alfred and Max were staying at Bear Gully for the first time. 

“A mate who is a ranger at Tidal River recommended Bear Gully to us,” they explained, looking forwards to their stay of three nights.

“We lucked out – as the bookings opened, we got in.” 

Next door it was another trio of first timers to Bear Gully – the two Steve’s, originally from the UK, and Darcy, who all reside in Melbourne now.

“We wanted to be somewhere near the beach but didn’t realise camping is an institution in Australia over summer with no campsites available until March,” Steve explained.

Down for two nights the trio also drew the lucky straw jumping in the queue when they realised it was the only spot left in Victoria not booked out yet – with bookings only opening that same day.

“We’re not sure why it was closed – maintenance or something, but glad we got in!”

The Parkes family, set up on the hill are yearly regulars to the popular site.

“We come every year at this time – we are glad to be back,” Sarah explained.

“As locals it is a great place to go and allows us to still check in on the farm and go to work if we need too.

“Lots of friends come down and join us over the new year period,” Sarad added noting that their stay was from December 30 to January 10 – a well deserved break away from home for the family of five.

“It would have been nice to know why it was closed when it was closed. There was not enough transparency.

“(As campers) we want to know we are doing the right thing.”

The reopening couldn’t have come at a better time and was very much welcomed by locals and holiday makers alike.