Queensland, Australia — Nearly two and a half years after catastrophic flooding forced its closure, Boodjamulla National Park—also known as Lawn Hill—is set to reopen to the public on July 4, following a multi-million-dollar restoration effort.
The iconic park, located approximately four hours north of Mount Isa, garnered global attention after featuring in a 2018 Super Bowl advertisement. It is home to the internationally renowned Riversleigh fossil deposits, described by Sir David Attenborough as one of the palaeontological wonders of the world.
In March 2023, severe flooding of the Gregory River caused widespread destruction, flattening trees and destroying critical tourist infrastructure across the park. The river peaked at 18 metres, surpassing the previous record of 10.8 metres set in 1971, after 533 millimetres of rain fell across the Nicholson, Gregory, and Leichhardt river catchments over a 48-hour period.
The Queensland Government, in partnership with the Boodjamulla Cooperative Management Council—which includes the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, and the Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation—has led the park’s recovery and reconstruction.
Principal ranger Marnie Augusteyn confirmed a $13 million government investment, including $6.7 million for repairs and new visitor infrastructure in the Lawn Hill Gorge section. An additional $6.1 million has been allocated for upgrades to water treatment, sewage systems, power supply, and improving flood resilience at ranger residences.
Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive Michael Miller welcomed the reopening and urged visitors to respect the land and cultural heritage.
“This is our backyard, and please treat it with the same respect that you would your own backyard,” Miller said. He also noted that Waanyi elder Everyl Johnny will personally greet visitors and share insights into Waanyi culture.
Tourism leaders are optimistic the reopening will reinvigorate the local economy. Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen described Lawn Hill Gorge as an iconic site and emphasized the reopening’s importance to regional communities along the Savannah Way, many of which have endured hardship over recent years.
The park’s restoration also focused on safeguarding its cultural and natural assets, including the Riversleigh World Heritage fossil site, which contains specimens dating back 30 million years and is considered one of the world’s most significant paleontological locations.
With bluffs, lush greenery, and a pristine river carving through the outback, Boodjamulla National Park is poised once again to attract tourists and nature enthusiasts from around the world.
