Community boosting tourism one step at a time
NORTH Queenslanders from Cardwell to Ayr are tripping over themselves to experience the region’s often overlooked bushwalks.
Lucinda-based tourism operator John Schmidt, owner of Absolute North Charters, said Hinchinbrook Island was currently crammed with locals walking the renowned Thorsborne Trail, which traditionally attracts tourists from outside the state and around the world.
“We don’t need ’em, we’re good … it’s packed full of Queenslanders,” Mr Schmidt said.
He said the lack of outside visitors had little impact on his shuttle-service business.
He said there were a record 36 locals were hiking the heavily regulated island.
“I’m happy with Queenslanders, they’re great, they know the lay of the land and we don’t have to argue about the football,” Mr Schmidt said.
He said the island was booked out for at least the next two months, and would not be looking at day trips until later in the year.
Day-trekkers at Wallaman Falls near Ingham, meanwhile, were forced to conjure up creative ways to find parking spots last weekend, with crowds again expected today and tomorrow.
Michael Pugh said he launched Townsville Hike and Explore just 18 months ago and his following had grown “from a dozen blokes and ladies” to about 4500 followers from the Burdekin to Charters Towers and Townsville to Hinchinbrook on various online platforms.
“It’s just going nuts … it’s just a sign of the popularity of the group and a sign of the strength of our outdoor community,” he said.
The construction industry executive said it had more than 3000 followers on Facebook and the group’s new website was attracting up to 600 hits a week, an increase since the impact of COVID-19.
He said an excursion to Hervey Range on Sunday attracted 126 hikers, and the weekend before that attracted groups of about 100 to the gorge at Running River on both the Saturday and Sunday.
“We seem to be about a 30 per cent regular base between our groups … and the rest are all newbies,” he said.
“It’s growing mate, we’ve got massive support within our community … it’s something I’m really proud of.”
Mr Pugh said the social club was now offering free evening walks that catered to all ages and abilities.
“I structure it so that the Tuesday and Thursday events are the easier ones for anyone who wants to come and usually on Saturdays or Sundays we do a half-day or full-day events, the proper hikes.”
He said the group was undertaking repair work on a section of the Cyclone Yasidamaged and overgrown Paluma- Rollingstone- Bluewater track this weekend, followed by family-friendly excursions to Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park next Saturday and a tougher hike in the Bowling
Green Bay National Park the day after that.
Mr Pugh was encouraged to see kids leave electronic screens behind and embrace the spectacular nature and wildlife of North Queensland.
“They come along once and get hooked on it, they are finding things that are better to do than sit on an ipad or Playstation,” he said.
Mr Pugh said it was interesting how little some locals knew about the natural attractions in their own backyards.
“Building this community is my passion,” he said.
“I really wanted to do something for the community; every time you hear something about Townsville it is bloody negative and horrible so yeah, (the group’s) gone crazy and I’m just hoping it continues to grow and we can get more people out and about and exploring, that’s the main aim.”