Residents have been allowed to return home after bushfires burning throughout the New South Wales South Coast eased, but only the lucky ones found a house there to greet them.

Key points: Conjola Park locals held a party to mark the end of an era after bushfires devastated the town

Conjola Park locals held a party to mark the end of an era after bushfires devastated the town Tourists urged to return to South Coast as bushfires hit local businesses hard

Tourists urged to return to South Coast as bushfires hit local businesses hard Locals still on high alert despite easing of bushfire conditions

The Rural Fire Service (RFS) has confirmed at least 2,136 homes have been destroyed during the state's bushfire season.

More than 1,200 homes have been lost since New Year's Eve.

"We've lost everything," Conjola Park resident Margaret Lyttle said.

"I can't get over it, it's just enormously sad for me."

Her home was one of 89 lost in the town.

With a week of reprieve in fire conditions, her husband began the insurance process, but found it challenging.

"I just couldn't deal with the claim process. I just sent in a general enquiry with some pictures of before and after of the house and let them deal with it," Shane Lyttle said.

Conjola Park locals listen to bagpipe songs as they farewell their burnt homes. ( ABC News: Lily Mayers )

"I just emotionally could not deal with filling out the paperwork," he said.

Down the street, neighbours Ken and Katrina Walsh held a party to mark the end of an era.

"Just to say sort of thanks for the memories and now it's time to get up and move on and let's get in there, get the insurance stuff sorted out and hopefully get a house back up so we can all move back in again," Mr Walsh said.

"I think if we can help people get on the front foot, start to feel like they can manage it and be positive about the steps we have to take then we'll do that," Ms Walsh said.

For many people across the region that will involve finding longer term accommodation, applying for financial assistance and lodging insurance claims.

But the break in bad conditions will also allow firefighters to at last get some rest.

"It's been a big fire fight effort, not just locally here for over a month but we had crews up in the north of the state since September last year, so it's been a very long fire season so far," Currowan Fire Incident Controller Superintendent Mark Williams said.

Volunteers at the Nowra control centre take a break as conditions ease. ( ABC News: Lily Mayers )

That effort has taken a toll on volunteers.

"It's been a terribly big psychological stress on people and they've seen … houses lost," RFS Bega Deputy Incident Controller John Cullen said.

After weeks of warning the public to stay away, the RFS and police declared the South Coast reopened for business.

It is hoped the cooler weather forecast, will bring some cashflow to towns whose holiday trade has been critically cut off.

At the Ulladulla monthly market, that was front of mind.

"You come into Ulladulla and there's no one around, it's disheartening for the shopkeepers," market stall holder Alec Leach said.

"This is our money, probably 50 per cent for the whole year is normally earned in January-February, so the impact is going to be far reaching," said Ulladulla resident Anna Brunton.

"Come to the South Coast again, we're here!" said Anne Maree, from the Clyde River Berry Farm.

The remains of a home at Conjola Park after a bushfire swept through on New Year's Eve. ( ABC News: Selby Stewart )

The weather lull may be a godsend for some but locals wise to the nature of the bushfires know the calm is only temporary.

"It might help the firefighters with some fatigue but for the community, we're on high alert," Margaret Lyttle said.

"We just don't know what will happen next."

Despite the fear, wherever you go along the South Coast, there's still optimism.

"Plants in the garden have started to shoot, new veggies have come through so if nature can survive this and grow a little each day then we can be tough as well," said Katrina Walsh.