In a striking reversal of modern travel trends, holidaymakers navigating Queensland's severe floods are ditching digital tools and artificial intelligence in favour of a more traditional resource: a simple phone call to local residents. This comes as torrential rain has transformed the state's western plains, cutting off towns and blocking major highways during the peak holiday season.
An Island in the Inland Sea: Winton Cut Off
The normally parched and dusty outback town of Winton has been transformed into an isolated island, surrounded by floodwaters after the Western River broke its banks. A deluge of between 200 and 500mm of rain across the north and west of the state in the week to Sunday has left the community stranded for about a week. The inundation has blocked crucial roads at a time when many Australians are attempting to return home from holidays or embark on new journeys.
Narelle Hetherington, who runs a motel in Winton, recounted a telling conversation with a couple planning a 1,000km trip. "I'm like, 'mate, the roads are all cut off out here,'" Hetherington said. When the traveller asked for advice, her sardonic reply highlighted the situation's absurdity: "I said: 'Dude, you're ringing an old lady in outback Queensland asking for life advice.'"
Local Knowledge Trumps Digital Maps
Despite her tone, Hetherington confirmed the caller was following the best possible protocol. In an age of AI and live-updating navigation apps, consulting a human with direct, lived experience of the conditions has proven invaluable. Not all travellers have been so circumspect, however. Hetherington described calling another guest to warn them to postpone, only to be told, "Oh yeah, Google Maps has rerouted us." Hetherington's blunt assessment of the suggested dirt detour was: "You can't travel on those roads – you'd sink."
Winton Shire Mayor, Cathy White, reported that those stranded in the town had "gotten to know each other pretty well" and were being well cared for. The town has established a disaster management centre complete with an industrial kitchen, washing machines, and recreational facilities. While most heeded warnings, Mayor White noted, "But there's always gotta be a couple, haven't there?" confirming some drivers had been caught between towns, requiring turnbacks or even airlifts.
Beyond the Outback: Peril in the Tropics
The flooding danger has not been confined to the arid interior. In the Wet Tropics, a Melbourne family of seven, including Karthik Nathan, faced a harrowing ordeal. After taking a detour to Wallaman Falls, a sudden storm caused water to rise over the road and into their car. They were rescued by three local farmers who happened upon the scene. One of the rescuers, Alan Masters, told 7 News the family was "pretty stressed out" partly due to the known presence of saltwater crocodiles in the creek.
Back in Winton, local business owner Melanie Grant experienced the power of community forewarning firsthand. A friend, after speaking with graziers – including one 90-year-old who had never seen such rain on his property – called to warn her, "Oh Mel, there's a lot of water coming down our way." He offered to help her move stock from her riverside newsagency, a precaution she hadn't yet considered. Thanks to this local intelligence, she was prepared when peak flooding hit around 10pm on Sunday, allowing her to resume business relatively unscathed by Monday.
With more rain forecast for northern Queensland later this week and several flood warnings still current, Mayor White remains hopeful. She predicts waters will recede and normality will return within a couple of weeks, promising spectacular birdlife and wildlife in the coming months as the landscape rejuvenates. Her essential advice for future visitors is clear: check Bureau of Meteorology warnings and council updates, and crucially, "If you don't know, pick up the telephone to somebody in that community and get the information."
