Qld floods: Tourists lured to Outback as clean-up clicks into gear

Airfares to some of Outback Queensland’s flood-ravaged tourism hot spots have been slashed to lure travellers west following the big wet.

Aerial view of Adavale after recent floodwaters receded. Picture: Queensland Reconstruction Authority

Airfares to some of Outback Queensland’s flood-ravaged tourism hot spots have been slashed to lure travellers west following the big wet as incredible photographs show the vast task ahead for the region’s recovery.

Thousands of kilometres of roads across outback Queensland remain cut and Department of Transport and Main Roads officials say it could be weeks before the full extent of the damage is known, while stranded farmers still have no way to count the cost of livestock and infrastructure losses.

The outback tourist season has also copped a multimillion-dollar whack, with holiday-makers and travellers cancelling bookings in droves.

However, while aerial photos show washed out roads or entire villages caked in the mud left by receding floodwaters, tourism leaders want travellers to know many of the vast region’s signature attractions remain open for business.

It is hoped a flash sale on Qantas airfares to centres including Longreach and Mount Isa – with advertised prices in some cases more than 50 per cent cheaper than typical fares, will provide a timely incentive to entice travellers out bush during what is traditionally the Outback’s peak tourist season.

A video posted to the Quilpie Shire community Facebook page shows one way to keep sheep alive in floodwaters.

Thanks to the partnership between Qantas, Tourism and Events Queensland and the Outback Queensland Tourism Association, Brisbane-Longreach flights were starting at $179 one-way for a trip which can sometimes cost more than an international flight to the US or Asia.

Last weekend, Winton celebrated its 150th birthday, while Roma’s Easter in the Country is set to kick off on Wednesday in front of sold out crowds, but Outback Queensland Tourism Association CEO Denise Brown said the challenge was now convincing travellers that the region was very much open for business.

“We’ve had lots and lots of cancellations but all the major attractions are open and they’re all ready to go,” she said.

“We’ve had people wanting to donate money or asking councils what they can do to help, but the best thing they can do is come and visit some of these towns and spend some money.”

She said the Qantas sale, which runs until Wednesday night, would allow people to take shorter journeys to the Outback than the traditional road trips which might require days of driving.

“It really opens the Outback up to short break holidays,” she said.

“And the savings (on typical airfare prices) are quite significant.

“There are some incredible scenes at the moment – the birdlife is amazing and the wildflowers are starting to burst into colour.”

Nationals leader David Littleproud inspects progress in Thargomindah. (Facebook image)

While some parts of the outback are bursting to life in seas of blue, yellow and green, others remain caked with brown mud or the greyish stain of floodwaters.

At tiny Adavale west of Charleville, the strip of bitumen through the settlement’s main drag is barely visible beneath brown mud which stretches in all directions.

Further south, SES crews have arrived in centres such as Thargomindah, west of Cunnamulla and have quickly set to work in clean-up operations.

The town’s Shearers Shindig, scheduled to be held over the weekend of May 23-24, has been pushed back to June 19 in the hope the extra time will allow much-needed recovery work to be carried out.

The Queensland Traffic page of the Department of Main Roads website shows western Queensland to be a sea of road closures, though it is still possible to drive from Brisbane to Roma, Longreach, Winton and Mount Isa on major highways and arteries.

Other areas closer to the coast affected by Cyclone Alfred have also benefited as part of the Qantas sale, with flights to the Gold Coast and Whitsundays from under $100 on the national carrier.

TEQ chief executive officer Craig Davidson said the sale would provide a welcome boost for tourism across the state.

Aerial view of Adavale after recent floodwaters receded. Picture: Queensland Reconstruction Authority