Record-high fuel prices, floods, COVID-19 and a spike in flu cases have seen many Queenslanders rugging up at home, much to the dismay of the state's rural tourism industry.
Since April, operators have been left wondering where all the tourists were after experiencing their sharpest visitor slump in years.
But any fears for the future of the industry were quashed when droves of travellers descended on outback towns over the school holidays.
"There are a lot of relieved businesses out there, as it was definitely a late start to the season," chief executive of the Outback Queensland Tourism Association Denise Brown said.
She said a strong events calendar had saved what was looking like a grim situation for country towns reliant on tourism.
"There is an influx ... it's definitely a later season," Ms Brown said.
"I think we have our stellar events to thank for that. The Big Red Bash was a huge success and we have so many more racing, rodeo and festival events coming up."
But it was the north-west's fossil region that turned heads this season as tourists flocked to try their luck on the world-famous dig sites.
Many road-tripped from the coast or the south, stopping in towns along the way.
John Wharton is the mayor of fossil hotspot Richmond, which was inundated with crowds of eager diggers.
"People [are travelling] from Ingham, Mackay, Townsville. A lot of them love to come out and do the dinosaur trail," he said.
"Usually when we do digging tours, we only get one significant find per holidays.
"We're already up to five significant finds from tourists."
He said the tourist digs were a great contribution to the town's fossil museum Kronosaurus Korner.
"The deeper we go, the more we are finding," Mr Wharton said.
Accommodation struggles
Richmond's Lakeview Caravan Park has fielded between 100 to 130 phone calls a day during the school holiday period, as visitors desperately tried to secure accommodation.
Chronic workforce shortages faced by accommodation providers and hospitality businesses continue to plague the sector.
"All the businesses are looking for staff. We need staff," Mr Wharton said.
"Everybody just seems to be under the pump.
"If people want a job in the service industry, or as a cleaner or as a shop attendant, come to Richmond."
The town will soon need even more workers, after the council approved the development of new 24-cabin accommodation.
"We need more accommodation. The three other motels all know that we need more accommodation," Mr Wharton said.
