The outback Queensland community of Bedourie has become an inland island and residents are preparing to be cut off for weeks by floodwater.
The Georgina River and Eyre Creek in the Channel Country have reached major flood levels as water travels downstream from Lake Nash and north-west Queensland.
On Monday, the river reached 5.35 metres – almost a metre higher than the only bridge into town – and is still rising, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Mayor Robbie Dare said he expected it to be about two weeks before the town could be accessed via road.
"Flooding started on the seventh of January," Cr Dare said.
"So when you go from then to another fortnight from now … it's a fair while.
"Hopefully we'll get back to normal in about 10 days to a fortnight."
After four months of flooding, residents have started referring to the water surrounding them as "the Bedourie Sea".
Most of the towns supplies have been flown in since early this year.
"The truck that comes from Townsville has been hampered a bit," Cr Dare said.
"The other truck that comes to Bedourie, we've only had it in three times since Christmas — the rest has been flown in.
"When we get our next truck in, I reckon it'll be about the 18th of April.
"She'll be a pretty big order."
'Pretty smooth for a flood'
Although it will take weeks for the water to recede and the land to dry out, graziers and their staff are already turning their minds to the clean-up.
Contract musterer Billy-Ray Degoumois has been flying to properties since December last year.
He says he has never seen so much water in the area.
"Over the stations that we flew over, there's water everywhere," Mr Degoumois said.
"The outcome will be immaculate with the fresh tucker and herbage around."
But he said the first order of business would be repairs.
"Everything's going pretty smooth for a flood, anyway," Mr Degoumois said.
"It's just the aftermath of fixing fences and making sure cattle are alright.
"It'll be a couple weeks before it's [the road] right to cross, and then all the road maintenance.
"I saw some footage the other day the road to Birdsville — it's washed out over the road and the causeway just couldn't hold up to the pressure of the water coming through."
