Outback Queensland peak season hit by flood fears

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Tourism operators in Western Queensland are urging visitors not to cancel their plans to experience the outback. Flooding has stalled the start of the region’s busiest time of the year.

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00:00It's the outback at its best. Sheep shearing, whip cracking and plenty of country hospitality.

00:12It's been a tough start to the tourism season for Western Queensland, with the region experiencing

00:17its worst flood on record. While some communities remain cut off, Longreach, the home of the

00:23Stockman's Hall of Fame and Qantas Museum, is open for business. Richard Temple says

00:31the phone has been ringing hot, but not with the calls he wants to hear. They've lost 40

00:37per cent of their bookings over the normally busy winter period. People are seeing the

00:42bigger picture and they're scared, but it's also, on the other side, it's the best time

00:47to see the region because it's green. Two hours up the road, the town of Winton is pushing

00:52ahead with a major milestone, 150 years since the town was founded. It's a week-long celebration

00:59of the birthplace of Australia's unofficial anthem, Walsing Matilda. We're just like,

01:04no, we're not going to be beaten. We're going to open up our gates for our community and

01:10show off what we are 150 years. Winton's also known as the dinosaur capital of Australia

01:16and for its charming main street. Those who've come are now experiencing a rare sight, a

01:22sea of green. I love the beauty of the outback, the expanses. Growing up on a farm, I love

01:29the big pastures and the open land and that. Out here, residents reckon the bush gets under

01:36your skin, and with tourism bringing in more than $276 million last year, they're hoping

01:43more visitors will come and fall for it too.

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