Birdsville has been inundated with flood waters coming down from Winton and The Diamantina to the north. The water has created an inland sea, with the aptly named Birdsville Island still sitting high and dry (so far). We got hold of Ben from the Birdsville Hotel this morning, who gave us a quick rundown of how things are looking out there.
Ben told us that the expectation at this stage is Birdsville Island will be cut off for around 4-6 weeks, however this will depend if there is any more rain about to be dumped on outback Queensland. So far all of the roads in and out of Birdsville are closed, with water just on the outskirts of town running up to eight metres deep. Ben confirmed that there are no houses or businesses at risk of flooding, as Birdsville itself is built up quite a bit. The roads in and out of Birdsville may be closed for a while yet, even after the water recedes, due to the damage that can be done by driving on them while they’re still soggy. If you’re planning on heading out to Birdsville, make sure you check to see if the roads are open first!
Ben has also put a couple of videos up onto the Birdsville Hotel Facebook page, of a rather relaxing in-car tour of the picturesque Birdsville Island, so make sure you head over there and have a look.
So without any further ado, here are some photos Ben shot over to us from a quick look around town this morning. When we spoke with him, he was just heading out to the airport to see the water from the air, so hopefully we’ll get some updated aerial shots of Birdsville soon.
All images are courtesy of Birdsville Hotel.
11 comments
Sounds like the whole package it would be fantastic to travel
Wouldn’t mind going out there ahain I July with a new van and tug
How wonderful. Wishing we were there. Love this little town/island. All the very best Birdsville. Hope to see you in the near future (again).
Awesome pics.
Was lucky to be able to spend 3 weeks out the way in my chopper in2011.
Have driven and motor biked the Simpson many times, but to be able to see flooded from the air was amazing.
Solid update – keep them coming. The outback is an amazing place when water is present!
Fantastic Photos,
How’s things out at Batoota?
Boy that’s amazing. I haven’t had the chance to get to Birdsville but couldn’t imagine this .I would love to do a photography flight over the outback in flood. I have seen the stock lose on tv of the Julia Creek area which I see is above Birdsville its been dreadful.
Give Vic Wildman of Great Divide Tours a call. He has organised a charter flight over the Channel Country. Limited seats. Take your camera.
We were there last September, it was nothing like this.
AMAZING.