Grey nomads are on the road in numbers
Concerns that the ongoing drought would hit the number of visitors in the areas where they are most needed appear have been unfounded.
Indeed, grey nomads are paying a huge part in giving some parts of outback Queensland their best tourism numbers in decades, with an associated economic lift.
The Outback Queensland Tourism Association says that figures so far for the winter tourist season were exceeding expectations.
“Numbers up until June were right up, by about 7% on last year, and we have anecdotal evidence right across the board that the numbers have been the best ever maybe for 25 years,” Peter Homan from the Association told the ABC. “I know Jane Morgan down at the Cosmos Centre in Charleville has said she has never had a year like it.”
Outback Queensland normally gets about 400,000 visitors a year, so a 7% rise in visitor numbers translates to another 28,000 people coming out and that makes a huge difference to the economy.
Yes. We went up to Cooktown but it was too wet so we headed to Ayers Rock. Did our best for Charters Towers, Julia Creek, Cloncurry, Mt Isa, Camooweal, Tennant Creek Alice Springs Yulara and everywhere in between. Called into Dajarra and Boulia on the way back. Counted 32 caravans on the road in 15 minutes between Winton and Longreach, there are definitely heaps of caravanners out there.