Bush tourism operators lay out the welcome mat for visitors in economic recovery

Tourists are being encouraged to return to the fire-ravaged regions of Queensland in a bid to kickstart communities.

TOURISM leaders are calling for Aussies to go back to the bush in a bid to kickstart Queensland’s fire-ravaged Scenic Rim.

While the fires fizzled three months ago, the after-effects are still lingering, with visitor numbers down to almost zero in some parts of country Queensland.

For others, such as the iconic Binna Burra Lodge burnt down during blazes in the Gold Coast hinterland, the recovery will be even longer, but enterprising entrepreneurs are rising to the challenge.

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Staff from Binna Burra Lodge Scott Parker, Leighton Pitcher and Tilsa Pitcher are now operating out of a country hall while they wait for the all-clear to return to the famous property. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Several Queensland destinations feature in a landmark new Tourism Australia ‘holiday at home’ campaign launched this week and Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind said the Sunshine State deserved to feel the benefits, despite the devastation also caused in other states.

“There is certainly a push for this (domestic holidays) at a national level, but we can still be parochial about it and encourage people to come here because Queensland has a lot to offer,” he said.

Innes and Tracey Larkin at Mt Barney Lodge. Picture: Stephen Waller

“There are enough people to go around and spread the love, so we all have to speak up and remind people that these places affected by the fires are still here and they’re open for business.”

Primarily known as an agricultural heartland, tourism plays a major role in the Scenic Rim economy, contributing more than $200 million to the area’s gross regional product in the last financial year while generating more than 2000 jobs.

Push to unlock Scenic Rim’s tourism potential

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said travellers could help their fellow Queenslanders by visiting the region, which extends for hundreds of kilometres behind the urban sprawl of the Gold Coast through to north of Brisbane.

“We’re encouraging everyone to visit the Scenic Rim, to have a great time and also to

help our region get back on its feet after the bushfires,” he said.

“Now, more than ever, is the perfect time to hop in the car and explore this gem right

on the doorstep of Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

“We’re receiving some welcome summer rain, and a beautiful tinge of green is creeping across the Scenic Rim once again.”

Binna Burra Lodge chairman Steven Noakes pictured in Beechmont. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Binna Burra’s famous lodge burnt to the ground during the fires and it will be several months before even the park’s camping ground reopens to the public.

Video of charred remnants of famous Binna Burra Lodge

Fire-hit icon Binna Burra Lodge to reopen as tourism stages fightback

A local community hall at nearby Beechmont has been rebranded as the Binna Burra Kitchen to operate while the park proper remains closed.

Binna Burra chairman Steve Noakes said he hoped the new cafe would be a good focal point for tourism in the coming months.

“It’s an opportunity for us reconnect with the community and with our visitors,” he said.

“Hopefully by opening this and keeping a few people in jobs it will be beneficial to the community.”

Binna Burra Lodge's Steve Noakes inspecting the ruins of the property after last year’s fires. Picture: Nigel Hallett

While not directly impacted by the fires, visitor numbers have been decimated at several other tourism strongholds across the state, with Tangalooma, Lady Elliot ((SUBS note one t)) Island the Whitsundays and Fraser Island also featuring in the Tourism Australia campaign.

Acting Queensland Tourism Minister Grace Grace said the best thing people could do to help regional communities hit by fire was to visit.

“We know that tourism businesses throughout the state are doing it tough as a result of the fallout from the bushfire crisis,” she said.

“Every day we’re working with regional tourism organisations to address the impact of the fires.”