Outback QLD hot springs have become hot property
For centuries, hot springs have been watering holes, meeting places, and ceremony sites.
Transcript
00:00 It's called "Taking the Waters".
00:04 It's a revived tradition.
00:05 Back in the day, in Queensland's early colonial history, there was a huge number of artesian
00:11 spas and people did flock to them.
00:13 Hot springs are again gaining popularity as part of the wellness tourism industry.
00:18 I'd probably say the last five years there's been a real increase in the number and variety
00:23 of these sort of experiences around Western Queensland.
00:26 More hot springs have emerged in the outback as the Great Artesian Basin recovers from
00:31 unregulated bore drilling.
00:33 We know that there's over 18 of these hot spring experiences already within outback
00:38 Queensland.
00:39 The latest is in Cunnamulla, an eight hour drive west of Brisbane.
00:44 A new hot spring resort is expected to double visitor numbers to the tiny remote town.
00:50 It'll have a great effect, the flow on effect for local businesses.
00:54 We expect businesses will have to expand somewhat.
00:58 I think the biggest challenge coming from here is going to be the staffing, having enough
01:05 room and accommodation for our staff.
01:07 The abundance of the artesian waters out here has the potential to make this part of the
01:12 outback a tourist hotspot.
01:14 So much so that the government has committed nearly $12 million to fund it.
01:19 This adds to the maturity of tourist product that we've got here that'll keep people in
01:24 these parts of the world longer, spending more money, diversifying our economic base
01:28 away from just agriculture.
01:29 This is something you don't see in outback Queensland or outback Australia anywhere.
01:33 I think it's amazing.
01:36 Water the lifeblood of the outback.
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