EMUS are running amok in a central Queensland town.

The flightless birds have been roaming Longreach since late last week, driven into town in search of food and water.

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Deb Scott, who has run Outback Pics and Gallery in the town's centre for about four years, said rain yesterday was a welcome relief for locals - and the iconic birds.

"Yesterday morning there were seven to eight emus just outside our place, one with two chicks," she said.

"They were waltzing up and down the street, drinking from the puddles and having a nibble in the garden beds at a council redevelopment site down the road. They were making themselves right at home."

Locals, unaccustomed to seeing emus in built-up areas, said they were surprised at how tame the wild birds seemed.

"You could get within metres of them," Ms Scott said.

"It's telling of how hard and dry it must be out there for them that they were happily weaving in and out of traffic to get a feed and drink of water."

Longreach received about 3mm of rain yesterday in a 30-minute downpour.

"It's still dry out there," Ms Scott said.

"There are still cracks, but it was a start."

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