Like many places, the central Queensland town of Hughenden has seen an influx of travellers over the school holiday period and recently opened up its overflow camping facilities at the showgrounds.
The Flinders Shire Council only does this when all sites at the popular Allen Terry Caravan Park are exhausted. However, despite the visitor rush over June and July, the council says it has been a slow start to the tourist season,
“Overall, our numbers for this season continue to be down on the same time last year,” said a council spokesperson. “For example, there were approximately 1200 people less in June, 2023, compared to June, 2022.”
Those visitors that are still getting to the town are then being even more warmly welcomed than usual.
Hughenden Showgrounds is open for overflow campers PIC: Flinders Shire Council
“Grey nomads continue to be a key visitor to the Flinders Shire, and we find they are often repeat visitors to the area,” said the spokesperson.
“We continue to see a number of grey nomads visiting, but are also seeing an increase in the number of young families.”
While the local caravan park is fully booked, visitor can contact the Flinders Discovery Centre to find out about overflow camping.
Prices at the showgrounds, which has toilets and showers, are $30 for a powered site, and $20 for unpowered site.
Hughenden, best known for its dinosaurs and its historic Coolabah Tree, recently held the inaugural Festival of Outback Skies in a bid to attract more travellers. The event was deemed a huge success, and will be held again in early May next year.
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Why is the Allen Terry CP so popular? Because it’s the only game in town!
This overflow business is the worst advertisement for a town ever devised. Come spend your money in the bookshp and when we are empty you can then go to the op shop. No free trade in hughenden with this Council’s attitude. We don’t stop there at all now.