MORE than a week after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the reopening of North Stradbroke Island, visitor numbers are a fraction of what they used to be.
Some island bus runs have been packed but a Stradbroke Flyer spokesman said the weekend had brought only about a quarter of the island's usual Saturday and Sunday numbers.
"It was our busiest weekend in a month, but that's not saying much," he said.
He attributed busy bus runs to a long break in between ferries, with the timetable yet to return to normal after many regular boat runs were cut during island lockdown.
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An extra eight Stradbroke Flyer runs were added on Monday.
Despite the low numbers on the weekend, it was a step up from the previous Saturday, when Straddie's streets were nearly empty.
"The weekend before, we had absolutely nobody," the spokesman said.
Straddie Chamber of Commerce president Colin Battersby said poor weather could have been a factor keeping people away for the last two weekends.
"The first weekend rained, the second weekend it was freezing on Saturday," he said.
"There's very few people coming at the moment.
"Normally we would be marketing now (for whale season), but obviously we haven't done that yet much."
He said the winter months were a wonderful time to visit the island.
"Today (on Monday) it's glorious. It's pancake flat, 25 degrees, there are a few whales out there.
"It's still quite warm, still warm enough to swim and surf.
"It's gorgeous on the beach or on the headland, watching the whales.
"There's not many people here, so it's a great time to come."
He said those businesses that had been able to open at short notice had done so.
On Friday, May 15, Ms Palaszczuk faced criticism from local businesses after announcing the island would reopen to day trippers from the following day.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones told the Redland City Bulletin last week that the island's opening weekend had seen huge appetite for people to return to the island.
"I understand that already there has been a huge spike in bookings for the June/July holidays (and) the roadmap gives significant lead time for businesses to be open (by then)."
The COVID-19 lockdown came after thousands of visitors flocked to the island for Christmas and New Year.
Figures from Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation showed 13,121 campers filled campgrounds between Christmas and January 27.
