Brisbane
Brisbane is back on its feet and ready to welcome visitors. The popular city-based adventure centre, Riverlife has flooded three times since opening in 2005, coming back stronger each time. After the banks of the river broke last month, Riverlife staff and community volunteers jumped into action to restore and reopen the activity centre within days. As always, you can make the most of Brisbane’s outdoor lifestyle by abseiling or rock-climbing Kangaroo Point’s 200-million-year-old cliffs, paddle the river in a kayak, or cycle along the South Bank boardwalk.
Other river-based operators have also proved you can’t keep a Queenslander down. Climb aboard River to Bay and choose from a raft of leisurely tours including cocktail cruises along the river, day trips across Moreton Bay and city sightseeing cruises. Alternatively, don the skipper’s cap and hire a private electric boat to enjoy a floating river picnic with Go Boats – no boat license required. Finish the day staring down the Brisbane River at Howard Smith Wharves and Eagle Street Pier - Brisbane’s premier waterfront dining precincts. In good news, both precincts are open and dishing up sunny Brisbane hospitality and entertainment.
Spend a day in South Bank’s cultural precinct at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. Don’t miss the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, a celebration of artwork from more than 150 individuals across 30 countries on display until 25 April 2022. And be sure to catch a world class performance at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) – Disney’s Frozen, Roald Dahl’s The Twits and Queensland Ballet’s Giselle are just a few of the headlining acts.
Embark on a ‘totally wild’ day out at the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, just a 20-minute drive from Brisbane’s CBD. After working hard to ensure all of the animals were kept safe during the wild weather, the riverside wildlife reserve is open and over 70 animal species that call the sanctuary home are excited to welcome families back.
Scenic Rim / Gold Coast
In the Scenic Rim, the Scenic Rim Farm Shop saw some access roads blocked by flood waters, but with the recent sunny weather the roads have dried up and foodies can flock to the farm shop once again - not that the farm’s resident family of ducks minded the rain! The Gold Coast also experienced some super soakings over several days, but after a gallant clean-up effort by sanctuary staff and volunteers, the gates of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary have reopened. Not to be missed is the new Extinction Trail which opened in December 2021, giving mini and aspiring palaeontologists the chance to follow in the footsteps of gigantic prehistoric creatures and dig for ancient fossils.
Sunshine Coast and Gympie
North of the Queensland capital, staff and volunteers at the iconic Mary Valley Rattler have worked tirelessly to restore impacted railway lines and get the classic steam train back on track. In a heartwarming display of true community spirit, the team also dug deep to give back locally, with Rusty’s Rail Café paying it forward by providing meals to families and emergency workers during the recovery and transporting emergency service workers to those in need across the Mary Valley Rattler rail bridge.
Following a tough two years navigating the pandemic and now floods, Amaze World (formerly Bellingham Maze) on the Sunshine Coast has unveiled a significant renovation and rebrand, elevating the much-loved family attraction and reopening in March 2022. As one of the largest living hedge mazes in Australia, Amaze World brings a little magic and enchantment to the lives of those who visit – even the ‘big kids at heart’ will revel in getting lost among the hedges.
The team at Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World banded together and got straight to work on the clean-up and repairs to reopen the hinterland attraction within a week of the unprecedented weather event. Wander through more than eight acres of magnificent gardens offering spectacular views of the Glass House Mountains and get up close and personal with exotic birds. At Australia Zoo, the main impact to the global icon was nearby road closures which have since reopened, meaning you can still visit the home of the Crocodile Hunter these Easter holidays or join in celebrating Bindi’s daughter’s first birthday on 25 March 2022 with free entry for children under 14 years.
Maryborough
They say lightening never strikes the same place twice. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for rain. Maryborough has experienced two separate flooding events in 2022, just one month apart, but this tough and tight-knit town can’t be beaten. Fun fact: the town happens to be the early home (and arguably the muse) for PL Travers, better known as the creator and author of Mary Poppins – giving families and literary buffs the perfect excuse to visit this Fraser Coast town.
Stop by The Story Bank, the birthplace of PL Travers, and learn about her early life as well as the history of the building or schedule a family holiday in August for a celebration of this world famous nanny at the free Mary Poppins Festival. To tap into the ‘Aussie battler’ spirit that has helped defy the flood events, and visit the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum or follow the journey of the ANZAC’s on the Gallipoli to Armistice Trail, including Maryborough’s Lieutenant Duncan Chapman, the first ANZAC to land at Gallipoli.
Southern Queensland Country
A region that embodies strength and resilience, tourism operators in the farming pocket of the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, have rallied together to rebound after the rain. The Floating Café in Grantham got its name following the 2011 floods after being swept away. Although water did creep up to the café during the most recent weather event, the building stuck to its foundations and is back offering tantalising home-cooked treats.
While visitors may not be able to sit under the avocado orchard at Awassi Cheesery due to flood impacted roads, foodies can still sample all the cheesy goodness by ordering dairy treats online. Keep an eye on the Awassi Cheesery Facebook page for information regarding the imminent farm reopening. Continue buying direct from the paddock and order fresh produce such as eggs, chicken and fish from 9Dorf Farms in the Lockyer Valley, with delivery available to Brisbane, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. While exploring the Lockyer Valley, be sure to check out The Barn and Scotty’s Garage, revealing a spectacular display of retro automobile memorabilia, a real vintage diner and a rustic barn-style café on the banks of a beautiful brook.
These resilient and proud tourism operators have once again defied challenging times and are ready to welcome visitors back, demonstrating that nothing beats Queensland.
Start planning your next Queensland holiday by visiting queensland.com.
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