In the past 12 months, Southern Queensland Country has experienced a tourism surge, marking a record-breaking period, according to data from Tourism and Events Queensland/Tourism Research Australia.
The latest National Visitor Survey (NVS) data revealed a substantial increase in visitor nights to the region, ending on 30 September, 2023.
Although individual visitor numbers saw a modest decrease of 8.8 percent, totalling 2.5 million, the report highlighted a remarkable achievement in the form of 7.4 million visitor nights – meaning overnight visitors on overnight trips-. This figure reflects a 3.6 percent increase from the prior 12-month period and an impressive 12.5 percent surge compared to pre-Covid 2019.
Breaking down the numbers, two source markets stood out with record-breaking figures. Brisbane led the way as the top source of visitor nights, reaching a record 2.8 million nights—an increase of 6.5 percent from the previous 12 months and a substantial 29.7 percent surge compared to pre-Covid 2019. New South Wales also contributed significantly, achieving a record 1.2 million nights, marking a 15.2 percent year-on-year increase and an outstanding 37.1 percent rise compared to 2019.
Notably, overnight visitor expenditure (OVE) experienced growth, reaching $1.3 billion for the 12-month period. This represents a 6.8 percent increase from the prior 12 months and an extraordinary 52.8 percent surge compared to pre-Covid 2019.
One significant contributor to this tourism success is the Long Neck Farm, situated in the Goomburra Valley near Warwick. Opened to the public in October 2023 by Tanya and Corie, the farm has quickly become a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
Within just one month of opening, Long Neck Farm received the prestigious ’People’s Choice’ award at the Warwick Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. The farm, known for its Alpaca and Ostrich Stud, offers a unique experience allowing visitors to pet and feed alpacas, interact with ostriches, and enjoy the company of sheep, goats, and miniature horses.
Spanning 50 hectares, the farm boasts lush gardens where visitors can encounter wild parrots, peacocks, and the resident macaw named ’Mika.’ Entry to the farm is free, and guests can access it through a repurposed 145-year-old school building serving as a café and farm store.
The café offers a delightful range of locally sourced products, from alpaca scarves and beanies to handcrafted items supporting local artisans and farmers. Fridays and Saturdays are special pizza nights, with wood-fired pizzas served on the deck from 4 pm. Long Neck Farm is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays, it extends its hours until 7:30 pm, providing a unique and immersive experience for all visitors.
