Shoalhaven 85 per cent booked for Easter holidays, tourism chamber encourages day trips to Kangaroo Valley

The village, which was isolated due to unprecedented rainfall causing damage to the access roads, is still reeling from the impacts.

Kangaroo Valley Chamber of Tourism and Commerce president Lindy Pitt said local businesses and tourism operators are ready to embrace locals and visitors back to the village.

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"Our beautiful town is really in need of your help," she said.

"Since some of our roads closed in March businesses in our chamber have reported an 80 per cent decrease in business.

"Many don't know that we are still open. You can enter via Nowra and Cambewarra Mountain on the hour, or via Berry Mountain at any time.

"We miss our visitors from the Highlands but hope to make up for that with new visitors who want to come and shop, eat and adventure in the valley - your support is really vital."

Shoalhaven City Council tourism and economic development manager, Coralie Bell, echoed the calls for people to return to Kangaroo Valley.

"The residents and businesses in Kangaroo Valley have been through a lot over the last few years," she said.

"Whilst much of the East Coast was affected by floods, and everyone was affected by COVID, Kangaroo Valley was one of the worst affected by bushfires in 2020 and could really do with the love and support from visitors.

"People may not realise the huge impact they can have on business and therefore morale in the valley but heading there for an ice cream, treat or to buy presents for upcoming Mothers' Day or birthdays.

"A weekend day trip would mean a lot."

Accommodation bookings are 84.5 per cent booked out across the Shoalhaven, according to Localis data. This is an increase from the 2021 Easter holidays, when the Shoalhaven was 61 per cent booked when state borders were closed.

During the 2020 Easter holidays, the Shoalhaven was only 20.6 per cent booked out due to the first COVID-19 lockdowns.

Across two years, visitor spending in the Shoalhaven has dropped to $879 million from $1 billion, according to recent Tourism Research Australia.

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