General News
14 April, 2026
Easter visitation numbers ‘normal’
THE ongoing national fuel crisis did not dampen the spirits of tourists and campers over the Easter break, with visitor numbers to the Mareeba and Tablelands region remaining relatively similar to previous years.
Tourism operators from Mareeba and Atherton and all the way out at Innot Hot Springs and Chillagoe recorded positive visitor numbers despite challenging financial times for travellers.
Mike Bees from Emerald Creek Ice-Creamery said his overall patronage was very similar to last year’s customer numbers.
“However, we noted that Saturday was much busier than the traditional Sunday trade and numbers and this was progressive each day.
“In fact, we were quite surprised that our car park was almost full each day, but whether Easter coincided with the start of the school holidays might have had an impact is yet to be confirmed, but overall, we were at least on par with last Easter’s numbers.”
Innot Hot Springs Tourist Park reported their venue was “very, very busy” over the Easter weekend, with only three to five lots empty over the four days due to cancellations from those interstate.
Chillagoe Tourist Village proprietor Deborah Windhaus even said her Easter weekend was better than last year’s.
“With four weeks to go we were initially booked out, but then, we started receiving cancellations because of fuel supply and cost concerns,” she said.
“However, with only four days to go till Good Friday, we were totally booked again in van sites and accommodation, so we had a very strong weekend.
“I think everyone in Chillagoe had a strong Easter Weekend, and given the pre-Easter concerns, that was great to see.”
Tinaroo Holiday Park’s Ted Keogh said his popular venue “had a really good weekend”.
“We were 100 percent booked out in all departments with a mix of regular and new visitors giving us patronage over the whole weekend,” he said.
Mr Keogh said that despite windy conditions, there also were reasonable numbers of boats on the water at Lake Tinaroo pulling water skiers or fishing.
Woodleigh Station’s (Innot Hot Springs) Kate Waddell said that while “a couple of campsites” were closed because of higher than normal water levels of the Herbert River, cabins, powered and non-powered sites and bunkhouses were fully booked out.
“We must have turned away 100 people who tried to secure a site in the week leading up to the Easter weekend, so we are extremely grateful of the support,” she said.
Most tourism operators in and around Kuranda reported that it was a busy Easter, along with other positive reports.
However, some accommodation providers noted that bookings eased off for the rest of the school holidays.
A round up of local visitor centre numbers over the Good Friday-Easter Monday period revealed:
Mareeba Visitor Information Centre was closed on Good Friday, but attracted 271 visitors compared to last year’s 573.
Kuranda Visitor Centre attended to 1082 visitors (1247 last year)
“While the spectre of rising fuel prices and long term supply issues affect us all, tourism operators are very thankful that our visitor numbers were not greatly affected over the Easter Weekend,” Mareeba LTO chairperson and Deputy Shire Mayor Cr Lenore Wyatt said
“This augurs well for the future direction of regional, shire and local tourism interests with regards to promotion and market awareness as well as our hosts providing in demand venues and activities.”
