Halls Gap guesthouse owners are taking different approaches to allow tourists from beyond the region to stay in the town.
It comes as the state government has discouraged people from going on holidays and a spike in coronavirus case numbers in Victoria in June.
Two Victorian caravan parks have reversed decisions not to accept bookings from residents in areas of Victoria identified as coronavirus hotspots.
The Grampians National Park is also being marketed as a destination for the school holidays, which begin on Friday.
Fiona Klix owns Views on High Road guest house. She said she would not refuse bookings by people from any area of Melbourne, as she felt this would be discrimination.
"I can only control what I can control, so I've stepped up with cleaning," she said.
"People can tell me they are from any suburb in Melbourne when they are actually from a hotspot. I can only get as much information, so if there is an outbreak and it's from my property, I've got contact details."
Mrs Klix, of Ballarat, said she opened after restrictions eased on May 31, and got emails and phone calls from interested guests almost immediately. She said she was trying to support Halls Gap businesses.
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Mrs Klix, of Ballarat, said she opened after restrictions eased on May 31, and got emails and phone calls from interested guests almost immediately. She said she was trying to support Halls Gap businesses.
"All the businesses here rely on tourists. They can't come from overseas or interstate, where we usually have a lot of business, so now we are relying on Victorians to visit to support these people," she said. "I go out and use any bit of the cafes and restaurants to encourage business, because everyone is suffering."
"People make very good money from holiday rentals, and the people we are stopping from coming are the ones keeping the businesses alive. It's a real catch 22."
Lisa McMeekin, of Serra Halls Gap guesthouse, said she had not opened her accommodation since the March long weekend.
"Our earliest booking at this stage will be mid-August unless we are locked down again," she said.
"You want to try and help businesses but you also want to keep everyone safe. Personally I think it's an individual thing. A huge proportion of people in Halls Gap initially didn't want anyone coming. It's a hard one."
Ms McMeekin, of Geelong, encouraged Wimmera residents to visit the Grampians.
Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
