Flood waters are rising in the Australian state of Queensland after heavy rainfall. The area between Townsville and Cairns in the north-east is particularly badly affected - a region that is also very popular with tourists.

Flooding in Australia has inflicted "incredible" devastation on communities across northern Queensland, the state's premier has said, even though conditions are easing faster than predicted. Thousands of residents who evacuated from their homes are set to return on Tuesday but it is feared hundreds of properties and businesses have been inundated.

Liberal National MP for Herbert Phillip Thompson has praised the resilience of the Queensland community while severe wet weather conditions ravage the northeastern state.