Outback Queensland cracks one million visitors for the first time

Outback Queensland has endured its fair share of misery, but there’s finally a record to smile about.

THERE’S a million reasons to get excited about Outback Queensland – literally.

A record 1.07 million tourists visited the region last year, smashing the million mark for the first time.

The Outback renaissance was one of the shining lights of the latest round of Tourism Research Australia figures, released yesterday.

A record 28 million visitors spent $24.8 billion in Queensland in the year to June.

Gold Coast tourism leaders were celebrating the renewed love of the city by the Japanese, with visitor numbers up 14 per cent ahead of a major Japanese conference being secured for the Glitter Strip next year.

The Outback was also jubilant, with more than 1.07 million visitors spending $724 million in communities where economies have been ravaged by the doom and gloom of drought and farm closures.

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The number represents an increase of more than 100,000 on the previous year and follows an aggressive tourism campaign by the Queensland Government promoting 2019 as “The Year of Outback Tourism”.

The abandoned Mary Kathleen Uranium mine west of Cloncurry, which has become an instagram sensation and outback tourism attraction is one of many reasons luring travellers to the Outback. Photo Lachie Millard

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the results showed people remained passionate and fascinated about the heart of the state.

“It shows that our message is reaching our target markets and they are visiting in their droves.

“It also demonstrates the value that tourism can bring to these local economies particularly as they struggle through drought.”

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Melbourne’s Monika Gould, who travelled through the Queensland Outback with husband Richard, said the experience was “amazing”.

“We wanted to go out there because we knew they had been doing it tough with the drought and what-have-you but we’ve had a wonderful time,” she said.

“Even with everything they’ve been through, the people are so lovely and friendly and they really made you feel welcome.

“It was just amazing.”

Grey Nomads Monika and Richard Gould from Victoria share a cup of tea with a curious emu at their campsite at the Apex Riverside Park outside of Longreach. Photo Lachie Millard

Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham was also encouraged by the number of Japanese on the Gold Coast, which was one of the Asian nation’s most popular destinations before the economy collapsed.

“We’ve seen a huge resurgence in the Japanese tourism market and Queensland is reaping the rewards,” he said.

“While they might fly into Brisbane, they’re dispersing out into the regions whether it be the Gold Coast, Noosa and even further.”

The Gold Coast’s Japanese numbers will be further boosted when 3500 delegates from Japanese electrical retailer Nojima arrive for a conference in January.