Border delays could be an "upside in a dark chapter" for the state's tourism industry, with three-kilometre, hours-long queues keeping Queenslanders in Queensland and softening the blow of border closures.
Sleepy towns have burst to life this summer season with regional caravan parks seeing patronage surge, however stakeholders say the State Government's looming border decision, on January 8, will be crucial to "keep momentum going".
Traffic on the Pacific Highway near the Queensland and New South Wales border. Picture: Jason O'Brien
An "uptick" in the state's drive-tourism market had cushioned the blow of the latest border closures with last-minute bookings for December day trips and overnight stays pouring in.