The rains have been heavy and prolonged, the wildflowers have bloomed, and – despite the fact that many roads have been closed at various times – the grey nomads have flocked to the Outback in massive numbers to enjoy it all.
At Longreach for example, the Visitor Information Centre says the numbers of people dropping in have been up a whopping 50% on last year.
Underpinning all the good news, of course, has been the explosion of floral colour that followed the record-breaking and continuous winter downpour.
The ABC reports that country from Coober Pedy in South Australia to Toowoomba in Queensland is a sight for sore eyes, with the Department of Agriculture’s Jenny Milson telling the broadcaster it has been the best wildflower display in decades.
“In terms of the flowers being in profusion like this and in such a large area, it would have to be close on the 30-year mark,” she said. “What we haven’t had before is the profusion that we’re seeing … we’ve had four months of this beautiful green and colourful season.”
The wet weather and cooler temperatures has meant the tourist season has run longer, with people making the trip out to see the places like Queensland’s Channel Country in flood … and witness the amazing inland river system first hand.
Pat Wells from Sydney told the ABC the whole scene was simply unbelievable.
“It was so different to anything I’ve ever seen before, with all the little channels running here, there, everywhere,” she said. “It just went on and on, and it was just amazing.”
Tour operator Allan Smith from Longreach said flooded roads had made it hard for many visitors to get out at certain times … but most had persevered and those that had had been well rewarded.
“We have never seen one quite as wet as this one,” he said. “All we want is happy customers and a happy landscape.”
* Have you enjoyed the wet and blooming outback this year? How as it? Comment below.
