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Tourism

Western Queensland Tourism Industry Sees Gradual Recovery

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The western Queensland tourism industry is slowly recovering after major flooding in 2025 forced attractions to close and deterred tourists. Museums, accommodation, and specialty shops were impacted, with the Eromanga Natural History Museum experiencing an 85 percent decline in visitor bookings. Tour operators are optimistic about the future, with the Outback Queensland Tourism Association CEO Denise Brown stating that bookings are gradually picking up again.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Eromanga Natural History Museum lost 85% of its visitor bookings after the floods.
  • Other tourist sites west of Cunnamulla reported lower visitor numbers and forward bookings.
  • The museum's co-founder and director, Robyn Mackenzie, is working on three dig sites where bones have been exposed.
  • The museum is finalizing plans to add 1700 square meters of gallery space to house dinosaur skeletons, with a planned opening in 2027.
  • Tourist attractions such as the Eulo Artesian Mud Baths and the Eulo Queen Opal Centre have seen bookings pick up since roads reopened.
  • Eulo Queen Opal Centre owner Garry Berghofer reported visitor numbers in 2024 and 2025 were below the mark set by the COVID-19 tourism boom.
  • Artesian Mud Baths co-owner Edytha Brummell stated that pre-booked sessions were transferred to different dates, but booking numbers remain unpredictable.
  • Outback Queensland Tourism Association CEO Denise Brown noted that bookings in parts of central and north-west Queensland affected by the floods were slower to pick up due to their distance from key feeder markets.

Statistics:

  • 100,000+ head of livestock died due to the floods.
  • 85% of visitor bookings were lost by the Eromanga Natural History Museum.
  • 1700 square meters of gallery space are being added to the museum.
  • Bookings in 2027 are expected to increase with the addition of new exhibit space.
  • Booking numbers for the Artesian Mud Baths are unpredictable.
  • Visitor numbers for the Eulo Queen Opal Centre in 2024 and 2025 were below the COVID-19 boom mark.
  • Road access in Eulo has been open for multiple weeks.

Sources:

  • "Museum, shops and hotels in western Queensland open again" by Zac Braxton-Smith, [Publication Name and Date not provided]
  • Interview with Eromanga Natural History Museum co-founder and director Robyn Mackenzie
  • Interview with Eulo Queen Opal Centre owner Garry Berghofer
  • Interview with Artesian Mud Baths co-owner Edytha Brummell
  • Interview with Outback Queensland Tourism Association CEO Denise Brown

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