Australia Weather News

After days of anticipation, floodwaters in western Queensland have reached the outskirts of Longreach.

The Thomson River is at major level, but did not rise as high as anticipated overnight, with the Landsborough Highway west towards Winton reopened early Sunday after being closed 12 hours earlier as a precaution.

Waters have been slow-moving in their spread towards town, with the current height falling short of the major flood level of 6.95 metres seen in the all-time high of February 2000.

Angus Hines from the Bureau of Meteorology said the river reached 6.07m overnight with a peak expected today likely to come in under the levels seen 26 years ago.

"The current forecast peak is still a fair way off … there's a chance that it might come in just a little bit under," he said.

The BOM forecasts the peak is likely to be between 6.3m and 6.5m before moving downstream and delivering river level rises for communities to the south in the coming week.

'Favourite pastime in a safe flood'

Mayor Tony Rayner said early inspections showed water in channels and drains, but homes had not been impacted.

"We're starting to think the peak may not be as high as forecast, which is a good thing," he said.

"The water didn't go over [the Landsborough Highway], it's certainly high but we've got a fair bit of leeway."

For curious residents who spent much of Saturday taking in the view of the river slowly swelling, Cr Rayner said there would be more sights to take today.

"I think everyone will enjoy the drive today to see the inland ocean surrounding Longreach … it's a favourite pastime when it's a safe flood," he said.

"The good thing coming out of this is it will shape up to be an excellent tourist season."

Jim and Julie Curtain last visited Longreach in 1999, before the town was swamped with its largest flood event in February 2000.

After travelling from the Northern Territory, Ms Curtain said it was amazing to see how green the region had become.

"The greenery in the desert is just phenomenal … the most amazing green colours," she said.

"This much water here in Longreach … the coast has come right to us today. The wind is blowing waves on the river."

Days-long preparation

The fast-moving water travelled more than 100 kilometres downstream, after heavy falls around Aramac and Muttaburra a week ago.

It gave residents in Longreach ample time to prepare for potential upset as the waters reached nearer to homes.

Julie Lucas moved to the outback from the Sunshine Coast at the beginning of the year and said she had been shocked by how the flood had unfolded.

"There was no water two days ago. I went for a look twice [yesterday] and was really surprised at how high it increased in two and a half hours," she said.

It may be her first experience with flooding of this kind, but Ms Lucas said the local council had helped to ensure the community was well prepared.

"The property I'm in actually went under [in 2000]; there was water right through this area, so I'm keeping that in mind with my preparations," she said. 

"On the coast, you get rain and all of a sudden the creeks will be up, out here, the longevity, the lead in … it's been the talk of the town."