00:00Deep in the North Queensland bush is Hidden Valley.
00:06It's tropical, remote and attracts visitors from across the world.
00:11We normally spot this little guy in Running River there when we do our platypus spotting here.
00:17But after a sodden few months, the community's businesses are suffering.
00:21So far this year we've had nearly five metres of rain, so we've really, really copped it.
00:28The main tourist road to Hidden Valley and Paluma has been closed since February due to landslips.
00:34The back road in doubles the travel time. It's rough and not suited to coaches.
00:39We had a lot of cruise ships booked in, so we're looking well over $100,000 for that period of time.
00:45If we don't get that permission to use this range for our busy period,
00:50we're looking well over $200,000 to $300,000 in losses and we can't afford that.
00:55Paluma is normally teeming with daytrippers and groups of students on camp.
01:00The village is now quiet, with hospitality businesses shuttered.
01:04Usually it's a happy, vibey little place with lots of people sitting around having their coffees and slices of cake.
01:11And it's all packed up now.
01:13A transport and main road spokesperson says that crews have been drilling and blasting large boulders into smaller pieces that can be then moved.
01:22But with safety assessment and geotechnical work ongoing, the department was unable to provide a timeframe for the reopening of the road.
01:30Potter Lencook has lived in the village for nearly four decades.
01:36While he hasn't sold a pot since January, it's the social interaction he misses the most.
01:42Well, there's no doubt it will survive up here. It's just...
01:45I've just had to try our patience out, that's all, I think.
01:49Patience that is being stretched thin as the weeks go on.
01:53Getting the road sorted. That's all we need. That's all we ask for.
01:56As a taxpayer and a ratepayer, we just want a decent road, for God's sake.
02:00We're lucky to see the beach on Instagram.
02:02Peace out.
02:03It's impossible.
02:05I swear to God to make you Yankee.
02:11It's impossible.
02:18Again to get the ocean like an nurser's GUHA.
02:23But before hallowiku, there's no by nothing.
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