Persistent rain meant that many of the streets around Port Stephens remained quiet on day one out of the two-month lockdown, but with businesses able to open their doors again and many services back online, there was plenty of optimism in the air.

"Everyone has been saying 'it's lovely to see you again'," Tara Ball, operations manager at Raymond Terrace Bowling Club, told the Examiner about opening its doors for the first time since August 5 on Monday.

"The community has been really awesome and accepted the new rules. It's been really good to see everyone back."

Right across the Port Stephens LGA, hospitality venues, retail stores, personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons, gyms and pools reopened to the double vaccinated.

Days after NSW reached its goal to see 70 per cent of the population aged 16 plus double vaccinated, the first in the three stage Roadmap to Reopening kicked in.

The lockdown has been lifted in regional NSW, however travel in and out of the Sydney region is still restricted, and new freedoms have been introduced for the double vaccinated.

Many of the Nelson Bay business owners the Examiner spoke with on Monday morning said they were eagerly looking forward to welcoming locals and regional visitors, and opening up to Greater Sydney after NSW hits the 80 per cent double vaccination target.

And while they all said they had put in place their COVID-safe plan - including making available hand sanitizer and QR codes - owners were reluctant to discuss the issue of having to self enforcing the state's health orders including checking a patron's vaccination status.

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Doug Cross, a Nelson Bay resident of 43 years, was enjoying a coffee with friends on Monday and said that he believed business owners had been let down by the government when it came to enforcing restrictions.

"It's great to have rules and regulations but the government has has not been able to support businesses through this process, instead they are relying on people's honesty," he said.

"That aside it's great to be out and about again. This is the first time I have been able to meet up with face to face with friends in a long time."

At d'Albora Marina on Monday morning, Mavericks on the Bay owners (since July 2020) Jonathon Voll and Billy Barton were busy preparing the final touches prior to the venue's 12 noon opening.

"Before the lockdown we were doing incredibly well, so having to shut our doors in August was a slight setback," Mr Voll said.

"It has also given us time to make some improvements ... we have a fresh new menu and we hope to open Little Mav's seafood takeaway and oyster bar next door [previously Subway]. Live entertainment will also be returning in the not too distance future," added business partner Mr Barton.

Click and collect home deliveries and a loyal customer base ensured that the marina's giftware store, Corner Secrets, remained viable during the nine-week lockdown.

"We were expecting a busier opening day but the weather put paid to that ... I believe the visitations will increase and the town will benefit once Sydney visitors are permitted to travel," owner Ali Orr said.

Sue Tomkins and partner Steve Baker have run the Passionfruit Juice shop in the Cascade Arcade for more than 20 years.

"Because we serve sandwiches and burgers as well as our popular smoothies, we were able to stay open for takeaways during the lockdown," said Ms Tomkins.

"Having missed out on a big summer last year we are hoping that once more restrictions are lifted [after 80 per cent double vaccinations] business will pick up."

Port Stephens fishing enthusiasts were also the saving grace for Brent Hancock, owner of the Tackleworld store in Magnus Street. He said that he had seen around 15 customers in his store in the first three hours of trading on Monday.

"We are forever grateful for our local and loyal customers, who kept us going through the lockdown. Because fishing remained a permitted recreation we had locals taking advantage of the click and collect system for their rods, reels and bait," he said. "Now we want to prepare for a big summer."

In Raymond Terrace, there were queues outside barbershops and hair salons were busy.

Michele Petrie from Michele & Co in William Street said she began rebooking clients as soon as the government said the state would reopen on October 11.

Ms Petrie and her staff had been seeing five clients every two hours since the doors reopened on Monday.

"It's been really good to get the vibe going again," she said. "We've had a steady stream of people in for touch ups and fringe trims. After being closed for so long, I think a lot of people are going to be a lot more appreciative of the businesses and services in their community."

Ms Ball said she had been working for three weeks to ensure Raymond Terrace Bowling Club's reopening went smoothly on Monday.

"Being part of the community, it is really important to us to be open for the community. That social interaction between members and with staff is really important," she said.

"It's been really great to open. There has been challenges, but everyone has been great and the staff have been fabulous."

It is now "services as normal" at the club with the member draws and live entertainment on Sundays back.

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