Queensland rains making dams and rivers a tourist hotspot

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Queensland rains making dams and rivers a tourist hotspot Marine Qld
For immediate release: 19 March 2012

Queensland’s rural dams, rivers and surrounding regions are becoming holiday hotspots on the back of recent summer rains.

Marine manufacturers and tourist operators are seeing a significant increase in sales of ski boats and bow-riders as participation in watersports such as skiing, wakeboarding and skiing grows.

Karee Marine, one of over 90 exhibitors at this week’s Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show, is one of the local marine distributors noticing the uptake.

"Now the dams are full we have seen a huge uptake of families purchasing bow-riders and small ski boats,” said Trevor Rowe, Owner/Operator at Karee Marine.

"They are heading to dams all over Queensland and making a weekend of camping, skiing, tubing and wakeboarding.

"With regional dams such as Somerset, Atkinson, Lake Dyre and Lake Lesley now full of water families don't have to head to the coast to go boating or fishing. 

"It’s also good for the towns and obviously good for us.”

Tourist parks are benefiting from the flow-on effect, with families choosing to camp by the water’s edge for extended stays.

Steve Billet, Managing Director of Australian Tourist Park Management, agreed that the wet summer months had boosted occupancy across its various sites.

“A lot of our previous customers are returning to our lakeside parks as the water levels are up, the fish are biting and the water skiing is superb,” said Billett.

“Our brand, Escape2 Holiday Parks and Resorts, have several parks in these stunning fresh water locations including Lake Somerset and Lake Monduran.

“What more could you need to get out and enjoy the great outdoors!” 

With above median rainfall predicted for the Autumn months by the Bureau of Meteorology, the trend looks set to continue.

The surge in popularity is reflected in exhibitor take up and the diversity of products and services at the Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show at the RNA Showgrounds from March 23-25. The tenth installment of the show will host 95 exhibitors in total.

The Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show is co-located with the National 4x4 and Outdoors Show. The event opens this Friday March 23 and runs until Sunday March 25.

Event goers are encouraged to take advantage of the free weekend train service to and from the RNA Showgrounds.

There will be a 30-minute looped service running between Central, Roma Street and Fortitude Valley stations on Saturday the 24th of March and Sunday the 25th of March.

The first service of the day will depart Central Station at 9am and the last service of the day will depart from the RNA Showgrounds at 6:30pm.Adults: $15 / Concession: $10 / Students: $10 / Kids under 15 admitted FREE