recently experienced a Cruise Liner docking via short notice due to a cyclone up north changing its destination.
2,500 passengers alighted and although there were buses and shuttles to take them out of town to other destinations, the majority of passengers enjoyed the town on a Saturday.
Port of Eden is a very visually pleasant place and has the unique Orca Museum as its showcase.
Business's there reported to have made more money on that day than all of the previous Cruise Liner's visiting the year before. 

Why?
Well because every other 'planned' Cruise Liner has lots of buses and shuttles to whisk passengers away, out of town and even from the near towns to far destinations (because they make money from it you see  ) - travelling hours north to Tilba and 6 hours to Canberra for just 2 hours visit and 6 hours back. 

Apparently Australian Tourism doesn't want passengers hanging around Port of Eden because there a few small 'unsightly' Houso looking areas and there is less money to be made for Transport Companies if everyone stays in the local area.

Imagine been cooped up on a Cruise Liner for days and then  bussed for another 2-6 hours one way, then again return. 

Port of Eden is considered the 'poor' sibling to Merimbula (not much to see in comparison but has about 90 Motels) and with 'customers' being whisked away - little wonder there isn't much money to be made there.
Port of Eden could do with a face-lift. But Passengers on the day complimented the place and its 'natural' beauty and what a pleasure it was to experience a destination that didn't have High-Rise buildings everywhere blocking all the great water views and forests.
So for all the money spent on the Wharf upgrade so the Cruise Liners can dock directly, it seems Port of Eden is being used as nothing but a 'pick up' Bus Stop for other towns far away to exploit.

Shame really, how Australian Tourism works.
It has the reputation of being as 'over-priced' as the USA Health System, as it is.

New Zealand, one of the best (if not the best) Tourism nations on the planet, would never conduct itself like this.

I personally have spoken to a former member of the local Tourism Board in that area and they are totally focused on just 'money' (charge as much as possible and offer as little as possible in return) - which is just 'one' spoke in the Wheel that turns a good Tourism effort. Ever see a wheel work with just one spoke operating?

Gotta feel sorry for these passengers. Upon planned visits, only 10% seem to hang around Port of Eden and nearby areas like Merimbula, Bega - the rest get transported further afield.