23 Mar 2010

Category 3 Cyclone Ului crossed the Queensland Coast in the Mackay/Whitsundays region in the early hours of Sunday morning AEST March 21.

Fortunately damage in the region has been limited and emergency services and clean up crews have done a fantastic job in returning services to normal as quickly as possible. Most roads are now open, ferry services have resumed and power is back for most areas including the Mackay and Airlie Beach CBDs. Most hotels, resorts and shops are open or should re-open within a day or two. Most tour operators will also be up and running in the next 24-48 hours.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and State Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt today announced the allocation of $75,000 in tourism funding to encourage people to holiday in the North Queensland region while Tourism Queensland is currently working with local industry on a range of marketing and publicity activities.

Effects to tourism operations in the region have included minor infrastructure damage, downed trees, debris, power outages and minor flooding.  No major structural damage has been reported.

Tourism Queensland would like to ensure anyone planning to visit the Mackay and Whitsundays region in the coming days and weeks, particularly over Easter, that everything possible is being done to restore the landscape, beaches and tourism operations to normal.

To view further updates click here to visit the Tourism Queensland Newsroom