In the sweltering Mareeba heat, Fernando Hernandez bends over furrows of dirt and pushes papaya plants into the ground. Key points: An influx of job-seeking backpackers has arrived in the country Flooding rain in southern states is pushing working holiday makers north to Queensland Some businesses are fully staffed for the first time in nearly three years, but others are …
Foreign accents are again echoing through the dormitories of regional Queensland hostels, as tourism operators and the agriculture industry celebrate the return of international travellers. Key points: Accommodation and tourism providers experience an influx of overseas tourists for the first time since the pandemic began The Department of Home Affairs has granted 126,100 working holiday maker visas since December Among …
A fire has destroyed a popular pub and backpacker hostel in the Queensland town of Bundaberg. Key points: The cause of the blaze is yet to be determined QFES area commander John Pappas says it's the biggest fire Bundaberg has seen in some time 60 hostel guests were evacuated unharmed Authorities said the fire broke out at the Spotted Dog …