For six months fire-affected communities have either been under threat of fire or telling tourists to stay away due to coronavirus, but this weekend that will finally change.
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The message for everyone wanting to visit is now: "welcome back".
Mid-Western Council mayor Des Kennedy said the town of Mudgee in his NSW municipality was the most popular destination searched on website Wotif for June so far.
"It's a wonderful feeling in town at the moment. We're leaning into our long weekend where our tourists will be back, a very important part of our economics," he said.
"Welcome to all our tourists who will come for the weekend. Let's hope they observe all the social distancing and rules."
He said the weekend was a great opportunity for family gatherings.
"We're getting back to normal. In a month or so time we'll be having crowd gathering if there's not an outbreak," Cr Kennedy said.
Indigo Council's tourism team will be walking around the North East Victoria shire with "act COVID safe, be COVID kind" flyers, reminding visitors how to act within the restrictions, while still bring back their business.
This will include roving street performers spreading the message in a fun way, such as scientists trying to invent a self-isolation bubble, giant chefs reminding visitors to practice good hygiene and lifeguards demonstrating how to stay 1.5 metres outside the flags.
Mayor Jenny O'Connor said the message to tourists is welcome back, but stay safe.
"If there's not enough tables, get takeaway and take it to a park.
"Be a bit creative about how you enjoy our wonderful towns and environments."
Towong Shire businesses are also keen to welcome back visitors to the North East of Victoria.
"While our hills look beautiful and green from a distance, if you scratch at the surface you will see the impact that this years events have had on the landscape and our communities," the council said in a statement..
"As you take your journey this long weekend, please tread lightly and be kind. Maintain physical distancing and if you feel unwell, delay your visit for another day."
But as Gippsland businesses also look forward to an influx of visitors returning to the region, Victoria's Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has warned motorists to be careful on the road.
"We need you to take care out on our fire affected roads," it stated.
"Our crews are out there repairing as much as they can - but with thousands of kilometres of roads impacted over the fire season across East Gippsland- there's still a lot of work to do.
"We're continuing to replace all the road infrastructure to make the roads safer - including signs, guideposts and culverts, we're grading road surfaces that were damaged and removing hazardous trees."