Two Silver Bullet railmotors are set to be refurbished for day trips to the Outback ©Queensland Government

Queensland's Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has claimed an AUD$2.7 million (£1.4 million/$1.8 million/€1.7 million) initiative encouraging visitors to the state's Outback is a "terrific example" of opportunities in the build-up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane.

The project supports the refurbishment of two 52-year-old 2000 class "Silver Bullet" railmotors to take tourists on day trips across the flood plains of the Thomson River, Ilfracombe and the Darr River.

These were first used in 1971 to take passengers to  Gympie and Bundaberg.

The initiative is set to create 10 operational jobs, and an AUD$3 million (£1.6 million/$2.0 million/€1.9 million) annual boost for the visitor economy has been predicted.

It is one of 16 supported as part of the Queensland's Government's Outback Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

A boost in tourist numbers is one potential benefits the State Government hopes can be realised in the build-up to Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

It is hoped Brisbane 2032 can spark a tourism boost in Queensland ©Getty Images
It is hoped Brisbane 2032 can spark a tourism boost in Queensland ©Getty Images

Hinchliffe hailed the value of the "Silver Bullet" initiative.

"The [Annastacia] Palaszczuk Government is supporting Outback Rail Adventures through the Outback Tourism Infrastructure Fund to grow tourism and jobs in Outback Queensland," he said.

"Last year, the Outback welcomed around 937,000 holidaymakers and leisure visitors, generating 4,000 good Queensland jobs and AUD$781 million (£418 million/$519 million/€480 million) for the visitor economy.

"The 'Silver Bullets' are a terrific example of the industry-led Towards Tourism 2032 roadmap maximising opportunities on Queensland’s runway to the 2032 Games to grow our visitor economy."

Brisbane is set to become the third Australian city to host the Olympics after Melbourne 1956 and Sydney 2000.