The Big Red Bash has been a major event in outback Queensland for more than a decade, but organisers say next year will be the festival's final year. 

The outback road has been closed for the majority of the past two years, leaving some outback businesses with no choice but to pause operations. 

Professional surfer Caio Ibelli moved his family to outback Queensland, and while he's almost 2,000 kilometres from the nearest surf break, he's happy in the red dirt.

An Australian oil boss says any fossil fuels taken from a new location in Queensland's Channel Country will stay in Australia, but it could take years before oil or gas flows.

A calf has made a full recovery after surgery to remove two legs growing from its head. 

Modern biometrics and technology, coupled with traditional practice, are helping pastoralists like Kim Forrester keep track of their herds across vast cattle stations. 

Community garden: A revamped community garden is upskilling job seekers in the outback. RAPAD Employment Services Queensland took over Longreach Community Gardens after it had fallen into disrepair. Project coordinator Cassy Delahunty says local job seekers helped build new shade structures, spaces for children, accessible garden beds and room for a worm farm and bee hive.

Image credit: ABC Western Qld/Jay Carstens

NDIS provider: A mobile NDIS provider has pulled its last service in western Queensland after lower-than-expected demand. Fly2Health introduced a travelling speech therapist to Longreach, Barcaldine and Blackall in July, but suspended the service two months later. Operations manager Rhianna Clarke says there is no register for providers and clients to find each other in western locations but Fly2Health could re-launch next year.

Backpacker workforce: Changes to Working Holiday visas could deliver a major blow to outback tourism in the coming year, according to Murweh Mayor Shaun Radnedge. The federal government recently announced changes to the visa including accepting reduced numbers and introducing a ballot system. Cr Radnedge says tourism has already been impacted by major flooding and fuel availability concerns. A Home Affairs Department spokesperson says the government will monitor the impact of visa changes to ensure employers can access the workers they need

RAPAD skilling: An organisation launched 15 years ago to improve access to qualifications in the central west is closing due to increased competition and overheads. RAPAD Skilling will help its students transfer to alternative providers in the coming months. Remote Area Planning and Development Board Chief executive Morgan Gronald says it's now easier for larger registered training organisations to cater to the outback.

Rowing uptake: Australian Outback Rowing Regatta organisers hope the build up to the 2032 Olympics will inspire more athletes to take up the sport in western Queensland. The annual regatta, held earlier this month, brings together athletes of all ages from around the country to compete in races in Barcaldine and Longreach. Outback Rowing President David Counsell says interest in rowing from rural teams has continued to grow year on year.