When locals watched floodwaters rise over the highway into Thargomindah they were anything but annoyed.



"We're making the most out of the flood," mail contractor Geoff Pike said.



"There's a new shine on people's faces, and it gives us something else to have a chinwag about!"



Thargomindah, 1000km west of Brisbane in the Bulloo Shire, has been drought-declared for the past seven years, creating a tough environment for local industries.

Cars waiting to be transported across the flooded Bulloo River (bottom) to the town of Thargomindah (top). ( Supplied: Geoff Pike )

"There are going to be a lot of happy farmers around to see the river come down the way it is," Mr Pike said.



"It fills people with hope. These guys have really pushed through some hard times.

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"There's some new energy flowing with the water flowing through."



The council has had to start up its 'flood truck' service, ferrying people, cars, and produce, across the floodwaters.



"A lot of people have to go and pick up their children from boarding school soon, so they left their vehicles on the other side of the river," Mr Pike explained.



"We had a two-week supply of produce for the general store and hotel delivered via the flood truck too."



But the water continued to rise, and the flood truck had to be put back into the shed, and the 'brand new' SES boat commissioned.



"We've actually had it for 18 months," Mayor John 'Tractor' Ferguson said.



"But we haven't needed to use it in the drought," he laughed.



"We washed the dust off, and now it's finally in the water.



"Everyone's got a spring in their step and the school kids will all be here soon, and I reckon they'll be jumping in the river and floating on truck and tractor tubes as soon as they get home.



"It's a real community affair. If you need to catch up on any town gossip, just head down to the river!"

Blooming marvellous



The Bulloo hasn't flooded in outback Queensland like this since 2011. ( Supplied: John Ferguson )

With grey nomad season around the corner, locals say the floodwaters have arrived at the perfect time.



"It'll flow out onto what we call the Bulloo lakes," Mr Pike explained.



"In about a month we'll see the birdlife come through, and if we get some follow-up rain in six to eight weeks the wildflowers will be extraordinary.



"It'll be an ocean of different colours. You have to see it to believe it.

"And we'll have some pretty good fishing soon too!"