2021 Regional trip comes to a close! We look at some updates and news of the regional visits.

As the Financial Year for 2020/2021 comes to a close, what a year it has been to reflect on. Covid assistance was provided for the first half of the year for many people and businesses to help keep them and the economy afloat.  We were all nervous what the New Year would bring.  It so far seems the economy is doing quite well much to everyone’s surprise. Unemployment figures are low and some industries including construction and health are booming. We are seeing strong employment opportunities throughout the regions with a shortage of candidates for many job categories, including trades, engineering, accounting, legal as well as across the board; for specific industries including health, government, and construction.

While our international borders remain slammed shut, domestic borders have been fluid i.e., open shut open shut and for now mostly shut. It is now school holiday time so very disappointing for many holiday makers and what was looking like a strong domestic tourism boost.

Having just completed an extensive trip in regional Queensland we did note lots of travellers on the road in their caravans with many towns in the outback and west booked out.  The shires are now generally out of drought and the country is looking good. The mood was positive with the influx of domestic tourists, many discovering and enjoying their first regional trip. This has been a tremendous positive because of the pandemic, Australians are discovering their own backyard.

A highlight of our trip was the Opera Queensland performance of “Are you Lonesome Tonight” which was a celebration of Country Music and Opera. Congratulations to Opera Queensland for the tremendous show which toured to regional Queensland towns. We saw it in the Charleville Showgrounds on the evening after their Campdraft. What a fabulous day and evening of events for Charleville, and lucky us. We travelled 9000ks on our trip and visited 32 regions, just a little ahead of the opera, they travelled 8000ks and 30 regions. The performance reviews wherever we travelled, were excellent. Quilpie enjoyed the show on the top of a lookout just out of town which was lit beautifully for the occasion. You may know or like to know, that Campdrafting is a horse sport which was started in Australia circa the 1880’s by the drovers and stockmen and is a competition for the best horse and the best rider. Basically, the rider moves in to a small yead called a camp and selects one cattle beast from a mob and then is required to complete a course directing the beast. Very skilful and very exciting to watch. Campdrafts are held throughout regional Queensland and are a must-see event if you get the chance.

Our trip was fabulous. I am often asked what our favourite place is to visit. I can honestly say that is a really difficult question to answer as every region is unique and beautiful, and I love them all.  We enjoyed the first leg of our journey on our beautiful coast, but the outback and western Queensland country is just so magic to me.   From the South West and Far West including Maranoa, Barcoo, Diamantina, Boulia and Paroo Shires to the Central West regions of Winton, Longreach Barcaldine & Blackall and then the North West including Mount Isa, Cloncurry Hughenden, Richmond, Julia Creek and the Gulf country, Normanton, Croydon and Georgetown. Every one of these regions is a highlight in their unique towns and country. We have some great posts and photos on our social media (linked below) and now I am back in Cairns we will be making a video to some beautiful country and regions we visited. I will post the completed link.

Excited for the 2021/2022 New Financial Year and working with you all.

Thank you for your continued support.

Check out our social pages below for more photos and news from the regional trip!