Queensland farmer opened 4 campsites after drought; they brought in over A$50,000
A Queensland dairy farmer successfully diversified her income by opening campsites on her property after a severe drought impacted her herd. This agritourism initiative provided a vital financial lifeline, reflecting a growing trend among Australian farmers facing climate and economic pressures.
Why it matters
This illustrates how rural communities are adapting to climate change and economic instability through innovative land-use strategies.
When a severe drought forced Queensland dairy farmer Libby Rough to sell 40 cows, her family faced a frightening financial crisis. Without the regular income from milk sales, everyday costs such as groceries and school fees quickly became hard to pay. To keep the farm going, Rough opened just four unpowered campsites along the river that runs through her dairy property near Kenilworth, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. By January 2022, those four grassy sites had brought in more than A$50,000 in extra income. What began as an emergency step became an important financial lifeline for the family. Rough's experience is part of a growing trend across rural Australia.
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