After more than two years of closure due to devastating flooding, Boodjamulla National Park (Lawn Hill) is set to reopen on July 4 — just in time for the peak outback tourist season.
The remote northwest Queensland park, internationally recognized after appearing in a 2018 Super Bowl advertisement, is home to the Riversleigh fossil deposits. Renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough once described the site as one of the world’s great palaeontological treasures.
In March 2023, heavy flooding from the Gregory River caused severe damage to the park’s environment and infrastructure. Trees were uprooted, and key visitor facilities were destroyed, forcing the closure of one of Australia’s most unique natural attractions.
Now, after an extensive $13 million restoration project, Boodjamulla is ready to welcome back visitors. The Boodjamulla Cooperative Management Council—which includes the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, along with the Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation—has led the recovery efforts.
Principal ranger Marnie Augusteyn said $6.7 million was allocated to repairing and upgrading visitor infrastructure in the Lawn Hill Gorge section of the park.
“We’ve also invested $6.1 million in rebuilding essential services,” she said, “including water treatment, sewage systems, power supply, and improving flood resilience in ranger housing.”
The reopening marks a major milestone for the region, promising a boost in tourism and a renewed connection to this culturally and ecologically significant landscape.