Cumberland River Holiday Park on Victoria’s Surf Coast has reopened to guests following significant flooding in Lorne that affected hundreds of residents and visitors. The park, located along the Cumberland River, was submerged under knee-high sludge and debris after 180mm of rain fell on the township over a six-hour period last month.
Manager Ram Nunez said the site required heavy machinery to clear the area before reopening.
“We were able to surpass that,” Nunez said. “We are really excited to reopen…and we look forward to welcoming back the familiar faces and the new incoming guests.”
During the floods, more than 300 guests were staying at the park. Nunez monitored rainfall throughout the morning and managed to move riverside campers to higher ground before the water rose.
“After about five minutes, we saw it with our very own eyes: the logs, the water, and the debris,” he told Surf Coast Times. “I’m afraid it would have been a different story if we were a little bit late [evacuating].”
The recovery operation included a Black Hawk helicopter lifting approximately 14 vehicles from beaches and rocky areas around the river over several weeks. Nunez described the process as complex, noting the coordination required to ensure the safety of both staff and guests.
The closure, which affected a park fully booked until the end of January, had financial implications for the family-owned site.
“It was really unfortunate, but at the same time, we are grateful that no one was injured and there’s no casualties,” Nunez said. “Material things can be regained. Life is much more important.”
Following the reopening, the Nunez family has begun addressing damage to their own home on the campground. They spent the past three weeks living in a cabin unaffected by the floods, with Nunez noting the challenges of balancing family needs with park operations.
“As they say, this is not survival of the fittest, this is survival of the most adaptable,” he said. “We are flexible and adaptable to any situation.”
Local support played a role in the recovery. Nunez highlighted assistance from Lorne P-12 College, which provided school supplies and food. He said the crisis has also offered an opportunity to refresh the park for upcoming guests. “In every crisis, there’s an opportunity. So, it’s an opportunity for us to restart and refresh the park,” he said.
Several businesses in Lorne continue to report impacts from the flooding, with lower visitor numbers affecting revenue during the summer tourism season. Nunez remains optimistic for the months ahead, encouraging visitors to return to the region.
“We would love to invite all of our guests and everyone else to visit the Great Ocean Road, to visit Lorne. This is a prime spot. We are safe here,” he said.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the Cumberland River experience underscores the importance of emergency preparedness, early evacuation planning, and rapid recovery coordination, all of which can minimize both risk to guests and financial disruption.