A dedicated website showcasing the diverse drives in North Queensland has been launched on the back of a bumper year for drive tourism.
Drive North Queensland is a strong partnership between Townsville Enterprise, Mackay Isaac Tourism, Tourism Whitsundays, Outback Queensland Tourism Association and Tourism Tropical North Queensland.
The Drive North Queensland website features iconic Townsville North Queensland itineraries such as the North Queensland Highlights drive as well as itineraries in Outback Queensland, Mackay, Whitsundays and Cairns.
Townsville Enterprise Chief Executive Officer Claudia Brumme-Smith said Queenslanders have embraced exploring their own backyards and continued growth and focus on the drive market has never been more important.
“The drive market continues to be a strong focus for Townsville North Queensland, with approximately 60% of visitation to the region coming from our neighbours north, west and south of Townsville,” Ms Brumme-Smith said.
“With registrations of caravans, campervans, camper trailers and motorhomes soaring 82 per cent in Queensland this year, the caravan industry is predicting more bumper times ahead and our region is ready and waiting.”
“Townsville North Queensland is uniquely placed as the gateway to all of Australia's most iconic landscapes – within 90- minutes' drive you can be in the Outback, rainforests, coastal paradise, or on a car barge to an island paradise on the Great Barrier Reef – there truly is something for everyone.”
With borders expected to reopen to interstate markets ahead of Christmas, the self-drive trend is only anticipated to increase, as demand for the quintessential Queensland holiday beckons travellers from interstate.
Caravan Parks Association of Queensland CEO Michelle Weston said with interstate borders reopening, and confidence growing to travel further within Australia, drive holiday-makers were firming up their bookings ahead of the Christmas period.
“Interstate travelers are looking forward to packing their caravans and loading up the car to finally take their Queensland holiday and this is a trend we are seeing right across the state with strong pent up demand for a driving holiday,” Ms Weston said.
“While interstate travelers and Queenslanders alike are planning to disperse further ahead of the December break, we're also seeing longer lead times with bookings now coming in for the peak travel periods in June-July 2022, which gives real confidence to the caravan and holiday park sector."
The Drive North Queensland collaboration between five regional tourism organisations will ensure travellers discover just how diverse North Queensland is and encourage repeat visitation as people realise that one drive holiday is never enough.
Plans to expand the website are already underway with updated itineraries and suggested locations to be added in coming weeks.
Visitors are encouraged to share their travels using #drivenorthqueensland and #townsvilleshines and to follow the new Drive North Queensland social platforms.
For more information go to drivenorthqueensland.com.au.
