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.