Halls Gap businesses embrace change after bushfire devastation

Halls Gap businesses reinventing themselves after bushfires wiped out tradeBy Tamara ClarkABC WimmeraTopic:Travel and Tourism17m ago17 minutes agoSun 15 Feb 2026 at 10:32pmThe Grape Escape festival attracts visitors to the region outside the summer months. (Supplied: Kate Kirkpatrick)In short:Halls Gap businesses are offering new attractions after bushfires over consecutive summers.Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism says the bushfires cost the region as much as $1.9 million a day in tourism revenue.What's next?One business owner believes the region can get back on its feet if operators work together.abc.net.au/news/halls-gap-pomonal-tourism-bushfire-recovery/106331718Link copiedShareShare articleThe Victorian town of Halls Gap is open for business again and trails are bursting with new growth, but the town's peak tourism season feels like it is missing something.After two consecutive summers devastated by bushfires, businesses in the region are reinventing themselves to stay afloat.Halls Gap Zoo owner Mark Treweek said January, normally the busiest month of the year, had been very quiet.Lisa and Mark Treweek have updated their fire plans to ensure the safety of the animals at the zoo. (Supplied: Mark Treweek)"People are still loving the place," he said."I just think they're nervous with the amount of bushfires that have been around the last few years."Adrian Manikus's new tour routes can go ahead even if fires affect the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. (Supplied: Andrew Manikus)Adrian Manikus, the owner of Grampians Peaks Walking Company and Grampians Outdoors, said the fires had inspired him to create a four-day canoe tour down the Glenelg River."It was actually an idea that came out of the Pomonal fire initially," he said."We thought, what's the worst-case scenario?"If the whole Grampians National Park burns down and we can't operate, how can we take people somewhere still within this western Victorian region?"Mr Manikus's businesses are now offering winter tours and abseiling under the stars."Each crisis, there was a new idea that stuck," he said.Millions in lossesIn February 2024, a bushfire tore through Pomonal, destroying 46 houses in the community of 300 and affecting several businesses around Halls Gap.In December 2025, a bushfire caused by dry lightning burnt through 70,000 hectares in the Grampians region.Pomonal was devastated by bushfires in 2024. (Supplied: CFA/Ross Walker)Residents were evacuated for a second time and 11 sheds were destroyed between Pomonal and Moyston.Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said Halls Gap lost about $1.9 million in tourism revenue for each day it was forced shut between Christmas and the start of 2025.He said tourism numbers were only just starting to return to normal."Fires definitely played on the visitation numbers into the region," Mr Sleeman said."They have a significant flow-on effect, not just for this location, but the broader Grampians and Wimmera-Mallee."Collaborative approach to recoveryVenue owner and Grampians Grape Escape festival director Kate Kirkpatrick said wedding inquiries at her tiny chapel in Pomonal have not returned to their pre-fire norm.Kate Kirkpatrick is trying to regain client numbers at her wedding chapel. (Supplied: Kate Kirkpatrick)She has opened a planning and styling showroom in Ararat to attract more customers from across the Wimmera."It's just about getting on and trying new products," Ms Kirkpatrick said.She said strong support from the community fuelled her positive outlook."It's about working together with other operators in the region to build stronger products and promote as one, as opposed to individual operations," Ms Kirkpatrick said.ABC Mildura Swan Hill — local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each WednesdayEmail addressSubscribeYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Posted 17m ago17 minutes agoSun 15 Feb 2026 at 10:32pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)ABC EmergencySearch any location in Australia to find nearby active incidentsFind an incidentPlan for an emergencyPlan for BushfiresDuring a HeatwaveTop StoriesRadical immigration policy banning countries being considered by LiberalsTopic:Liberal Party of Australia