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Outback Queensland towns are bracing for a bleak tourism season next year as the cost of living crisis puts the crunch on iconic events.
From races and rodeos to festivals and fairs, event tourism is the lifeblood for many businesses.
But an increasing number of cancellations is leaving communities vulnerable.
Last week, organisers of Australia's most remote music festival the Birdsville Big Red Bash announced they would be taking a break in 2025, with plans to return in 2026.
Big Red Bash won't go ahead next year, but organisers say the festival will be back in 2026. (Supplied: Matt Williams )
It followed news of uncertainty about next year's Mount Isa Rodeo after the state government rejected pleas for a $500,000 bailout. A decision on the rodeo is expected this week.
Both events bring thousands of travellers and are significant economic drivers for outback Queensland.
Local councils and tourism groups will today hold urgent talks to help secure the 2025 tourist season.
Costs rise, numbers decline
Outback tourism stakeholders are meeting to discuss ways to attract visitors. (ABC Western Qld: Hannah Walsh)
Outback Queensland Tourism Association chief executive Denise Brown said they were already working on ways to reframe events in 2025 to keep driving business to the regions.
"We are doing everything in our power to try and breathe different life into these events," she said.
"The cost of living crisis and changes to consumer spending has seen a major decline in event numbers across the country.
"Also costs of insurance, construction of stages, VIP marquees, continue to rise."
The Birdsville Races are held annually. (Supplied: Matt Williams)
She said the outback was also competing against the appeal of cheaper overseas destinations like Bali.
No Bash, no crowds
In recent years the Big Red Bash has drawn a crowd of between 8,000 to 12,000 people to Birdsville, more than 1,500 kilometres west of Brisbane.
Birdsville has a population of about 100, but that swells to up to 10,000 when the Big Red Bash is on. (ABC Western Qld: Hannah Walsh)
Travellers often then visit other events and towns during their stay, injecting millions of dollars into the western Queensland economy.
Outback event organisers are concerned that without the Bash to bring the big crowds, tourists would not make the journey.
The Bedourie Camel Races take place the weekend after the Bash, with 90 per cent of attendees coming directly from Birdsville.
Bedourie Camel Races organisers say 80 per cent of attendees come from Big Red Bash. (Supplied)
"It's going to knock us for a sixer because it's going to take 60 or 70 per cent, maybe more, out of our revenue for those few weeks," said Bedourie Amateur Race Club president Robbie Dare.
"All these little towns top-up from the revenue from fuel and food sales going to and from Birdsville."
Mr Dare is determined the Bedourie Camel Races will go ahead next year, but said it would be hard.
More than just the big events
The Rowlands family opened a cafe in Birdsville three years ago. (ABC Western Qld: Hannah Walsh)
For Wangkangurru Yarluyandi woman Thiwi Rowlands it will be the first year her family-run cafe operates without events like the Bash and the Simpson Desert Ultra marathon, which has also been cancelled in 2025.
She said while it would be a big hit, they were depending on Birdsville itself being a bucket list destination.
"We're so much more than the big events so hopefully this way we're not going to be so exhausted, and we're able to share our country with everyone else, because that's what we want to do," she said.
Thiwi Rowlands grew up in Birdsville. (ABC Western Qld: Hannah Walsh)
"I've always felt that the community, along with council, should be working together to come up with a strategic plan [about] how we can encourage more visitors to outback Queensland."