Cunnamulla Hot Springs officially opens in huge boost for outback Queensland tourism

A new hot springs facility has officially opened in outback Queensland, with the audacious tourism attraction offering luxury experiences in one of the most remote destinations in Australia.

An outback town’s plan to cement itself as an international wellness hub has officially begun with the opening of their new $11.7m hot springs facility.

The official opening ceremony of the new Cunnamulla Hot Springs facility was held on Wednesday evening.

The $11.7m project is expected to bring in up to 25,000 visitors over the next year in a major boost to the region’s tourism.

Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the project would be an invaluable addition to the already thriving tourism sector in outback Queensland.

“The geothermally heated hot baths at the Artesian Hot Springs will be a great place for locals and tourists to relax, while the Warrego River Walk gives visitors easy access to the river while also providing huge benefits to the local environment,” he said.

The council-owned facility was jointly funded by local, state and federal government and is set to be a major boost for tourism in the area.

It will be operated by the award-winning Peninsula Hot Springs group, a respected name in the hot springs industry, with facilities across Australia and New Zealand.

Peninsula Hot Springs co-founder and chair Charles Davidson said he was excited to see the facility open.

“Cunnamulla Hot Springs in one of the remotest destinations in one of the least populated countries in the world,” he said.

“We want guests to connect with the outback, the local Indigenous communities and most importantly, the water; the mineral rich, artesian water that is found at Cunnamulla.”

The region is already well known for its artesian baths and hot springs, with this new facility being the sixth in the region.

However Mr Davidson said that the facility aims to attract international wellness practitioners to the region, and “create a sense of community by embracing the land, culture and wellbeing”.

The opening ceremony on Wednesday evening was attended by around 200 people, including federal and state government representatives, regional council representatives and local First Nations representatives.

Paroo Shire Council chief executive Cassie White said that the facility was expected to bring enormous benefit to the region.

“The Hot Springs promise to be an oasis of wellness in the heart of the outback. A place where both locals and tourists will be able to experience the profound benefits of our natural healing artesian waters,” Ms White said.

The luxury facility will be operating five days a week, from 6-9am and from 5-9pm from Thursday to Monday, starting February 1.