Day of Leave to Visit Bushfire-Affected Region - Where to Go?

dane45 on 05/03/2020 - 13:02

Hi all,

Hoping to get a bit of input from the OzBargain hivemind. My company has given everyone an extra day of leave this year if we choose to spend it in a bushfire-affected region. I'm located in Melbourne, so was thinking of doing a day-trip or long weekend somewhere in Victoria, or possibly doing a long weekend up in Queensland during winter to get out of the cold.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Somewhere accessible without a car would be ideal (although maybe I'm being a little too optomistic with that one).

Travel

Comments

  • pjetson on 05/03/2020 - 13:07
    +3

    Mallacoota? Although it's going to be tough to get there without a car.

  • GG57 on 05/03/2020 - 13:12
    +6

    Without a car kills the deal.

    With so many areas of the country impacted, surely you can find one that has things that interest you? Beaches, wineries, mountains, etc.?

    A day trip from Melbourne will get you to Bright and surrounds, if that is of interest.

    • netjock on 05/03/2020 - 13:15

      Second that. Area around Mt Buller which was affected is about 2hrs drive straight up the Hume Hwy.

    • dane45 on 05/03/2020 - 15:56

      I'm sure I'll find something, was just hoping to get any tips about bushfire-affected places to visit without a car. I've been looking at Bright and surrounds is definitely on my list!

  • [Deactivated] on 05/03/2020 - 13:18

    Not sure if Wilson's Prom counts but I know the people that run accommodation just before the prom and they lost their peak period.

    It used to be zero vacancy practically all of summer. They noted a 90% drop in revenue this year.

    Beautiful place, many means to get there.

    • dane45 on 05/03/2020 - 16:06

      Would love to visit but unfortunately it's not counted. We've been given a list of postcodes (there's about 60 in VIC, which is why I didn't bother to post them here) that we're allowed to take the day of leave to visit.

      • [Deactivated] on 05/03/2020 - 16:07
        +1

        Ah. Still a great place to go.

      • ssjp on 06/03/2020 - 08:02

        Double check it’s not under tidal river as the main town there

    • Hardlyworkin on 05/03/2020 - 22:12

      Do you happen to know if they have space for this long weekend?

      • [Deactivated] on 05/03/2020 - 22:14

        I reckon you'd have a good chance. AFAIK, the place hasn't seen a full book all year.

  • GG57 on 05/03/2020 - 13:21
    -1

    Are we all just going to list any area that is bushfire affected?

  • bobbified on 05/03/2020 - 13:26
    -1

    NAB?

  • jjjaar on 05/03/2020 - 13:28
    +2

    Bairnsdale is on the VLine train network. That’s 4 hours each way though. You might wanna stay the night with that schedule.

  • dust on 05/03/2020 - 13:36
    +3

    How do you prove you were in a bushfire affected region? Couple of selfies posted on Facebook?

    • Numlock on 05/03/2020 - 14:53
      -1

      Ash and burnt land.

    • dane45 on 05/03/2020 - 15:58
      +3

      We're asked to nominate a town from a list we've been given when we apply for leave, then provide a copy of a receipt to show we spent money at a business there when we return.

      • jjjaar on 05/03/2020 - 17:18
        +1

        Perhaps put the list in your main post so we can help figure out non-car options?

        • dane45 on 06/03/2020 - 15:05

          That might be a little easier, but it's about 60 different postcodes and I feel a bit iffy about sharing private work emails on ozbargain (even if there's nothing particularly sensitive in them).

          Sorry! Appreciate everyones recommendations though

  • Magnastar on 05/03/2020 - 13:48
    +3

    Noosa was a bushfire affected region. Spend it up here and feel like you're championing those doing it tough while enjoying gelato on Hastings St.

    Or don't. I don't care I don't even work in hospitality or tourism.

  • Numlock on 05/03/2020 - 13:53
    -3

    Fk it. Just go to Cairns and chillax.

    • 6000SUX on 05/03/2020 - 14:42
      +4

      yeah people lost their homes or even died. OPs company is obviously trying to do something nice for the effected communities and/or maybe just raising awareness for their staff.

      But sure, 'Fk it'…. :/

      • Numlock on 05/03/2020 - 15:10
        -4

        yeah people lost their homes or even died.

        They're swimming in cash.

      • Bargain80 on 05/03/2020 - 15:31
        -1

        yeah, what is the purpose of the employees going to the affected area?
        if they are required to volunteer, sure. though one day probably won't have much impact.

        Otherwise, people will just taking selfie.

  • k-rokfm on 05/03/2020 - 14:42
    +1

    Youd definitely need a car for the majority of places you wanna go

    • dane45 on 05/03/2020 - 16:01

      I know! I've been racking my brains trying to think up somewhere I can go on V/Line but maybe I'm out of luck

  • DisneyPrincess on 05/03/2020 - 15:12
    +2

    Gold Coast hinterland was bushfire affected. I hear the Gold Coast is taking a bigger tourism hit now than during the GFC

  • gooddealmate on 05/03/2020 - 15:24

    Binna Burra Lodge in the Gold Coast Hinterland, which was burnt down by the fires should be partially reopen by April - May.

    https://www.binnaburralodge.com.au/

    Just need to get a cab from Gold Coast Airport.

    • modsec802 on 07/03/2020 - 18:06
      -1

      That cab bill would be more than a fight from Melbourne

      • gooddealmate on 07/03/2020 - 19:50
        -1

        $65 with a Didi cab, less if you have a discount code, which are usually a plenty.

  • chalks1971 on 05/03/2020 - 16:01
    +3

    Train to Bairnsdale, bus to Merimbula & fly home. Youll see a bucketload of fire affected area.

    Or just fly to Merimbula for the weekend. Youll fly over plenty of affected area.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/03/2020 - 17:25

    Give the company a plug - I'd happily support them if i had the chance.

  • Diji1 on 05/03/2020 - 17:42
    +3

    Well Kangaroo Island is supposed to be half unburnt and quite nice but that's probably way out of your range.

    • Ozpit on 06/03/2020 - 09:52
      +2

      This. Fly in, stay a night or two, fly out. KI is doing it real tough. Half burnt, yes, but still lots to see and do.

      • dane45 on 06/03/2020 - 14:10

        Was thinking of this, and it's on the list of approved towns.

        Certainly not as cheap as a day trip / overnight in Victoria, but could be a great place to visit. Would I need to rent a car to get around the island?

  • BluebirdV on 05/03/2020 - 20:33
    +1

    Tumbarumba and Batlow areas were devastated by bushfire. Just over the border in NSW.

  • WreckTangle on 05/03/2020 - 21:20
    +2

    +1 for your company

  • OzHunterNSW on 06/03/2020 - 10:01
    -7

    So you have a "day" but want to spend money going to Qld.

    You have plenty of areas there in Vic.

    I think you are missing the point of the whole exercise. Seems you just want to go on a vacation, and sponge off the good will of your employer.

    Why not fly to Brazil, your boss didn't stipulate you have to stay within the boundaries of Australia.

    • 6000SUX on 06/03/2020 - 11:12
      +2

      hold your horses - OP clearly states 'was thinking of doing a day-trip or long weekend somewhere in Victoria, or possibly doing a long weekend up in Queensland during winter to get out of the cold'.

    • dane45 on 06/03/2020 - 15:03
      +1

      Hey, I'm open to suggestions - do you have a recommendation for a bushfire-affected town in VIC that's accessible by V/Line with stuff to see/do? I'd love to get out and see more of the state, but I don't own a car (and to be honest, prefer long train rides to long drives).

      My work has stipulated a list of postcodes (all of which are in Australia) which I can take the extra day of leave to visit. A long weekend in QLD during Melbourne winter was just an idea, as the extra day of leave can be combined with annual leave, weekends and public holidays for a slightly longer break.

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