Tourism Queensland has urged travellers to continue visiting Australia’s drenched north east despite heavy rains threatened further flooding.
An area the size of France and Germany has been hit following weeks of heavy rain. Warnings have been issued about the threat from snakes and crocodiles.
Torrential downpours could cause flash-flooding and worsen existing floods as water levels slowly started to recede in the regional centre of Rockhampton, a town virtually surrounded by an inland sea.
Tourism Queensland said Rockhampton, 370 miles north of Brisbane and home to 77,000 people, should be avoided. The city’s airport and railway station has been closed, with thousands of residents evacuated.
The disaster, described as the state’s worst, has inundated or cut off 40 towns. A statement said: “Access to parts of Queensland is currently affected by flooding, however the majority of the state’s tourism destinations are accessible and open for business.”
It added: “There are domestic and international visitors experiencing challenges, mainly those embarking on self-drive holidays, but most of Queensland’s internationally-focused products are operating as normal.”
Travellers have been warned to expect problems around the Bruce Highway, which links the cities of Brisbane and Cairns, and in Bundaberg, the Western Downs, the Outback and Central Queensland.
However, the statement reassured visitors that all of the biggest draws for holidaymakers in the region – including Brisbane itself, the Gold Coast, the Whitsundays, Fraser Coast and North Queensland – are currently accessible and open for business.
Non-affected areas are the main tourist destinations of Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast, Southern Downs, Toowoomba, Mackay, Whitsundays, Townsville and Tropical North Queensland, according to the organisation.
“These areas are currently accessible and are fully open for business including beaches, island resorts, accommodation providers, tours and attractions,” Tourism Queensland said.