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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