Larissa Waterson
Mount Isa, QLD
Larissa Waterson is a digital journalist based in Mount Isa in north west Queensland. She studied journalism at Macquarie University in Sydney before spending five years working for regional newspapers on the mid north coast of New South Wales. She worked as a digital journalist at News Corp's Sydney office before joining the ABC in 2021.
She is passionate about her patch in outback Australia and the diversity of stories she covers including environmental, rural and social issues.
Latest by Larissa Waterson
Bob Katter's 'cashgate' shines the spotlight again on your legal tender rights
Disgruntled MP Bob Katter made headlines this week after his cash was rejected by a café — in Parliament House, of all places. The incident sparked national debate again, so what are your rights when it comes to paying in notes and coins?
Man charged with murder in outback Queensland mining city
An 18-year-old man is due to face court charged with murder after the death of a 34-year-old man on Abel Smith Parade in Mount Isa.
Lack of oxygen could have caused fatal plane crash that killed three people: ATSB
A preliminary report suggests hypoxia could be the reason three aerial firefighting crew members, including 22-year-old William Jennings from the US, died when their plane crashed in rural Queensland in November.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily isolates outback residents for weeks as Coral Sea low gains strength
The system is finishing up its outback tour and heading towards New South Wales this week as another possible cyclone intensifies in the Coral Sea east of Queensland.
BOM keeping 'close eye' on new Coral Sea low, as ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily continues destructive path out west
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily is continuing to dump heavy rain on north-west Queensland, while the chance of another tropical cyclone forming off the coast increases.
'Nervous' outback towns brace for flash floods from ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily
Residents in outback Queensland are preparing for further heavy rain, flash flooding, and dangerous winds as ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily intensifies in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Outback Queensland cut off by intense floods from ex-cyclone with conditions to worsen
More rain has fallen in 24 hours than in a year at some locations as ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily hovers over Queensland's north-west.
Queensland records its hottest January day on record as mercury nears 50C in outback town
Birdsville locals say stepping outside is like standing in front of an open oven. An elder says he's seen crows falling from trees amid the near unbearable conditions, but the BOM says relief is on the way.
Exodus of GPs leaves city of 20,000 facing healthcare crisis
A veteran GP says he is scrambling to keep his outback Queensland clinic working, as calls grow for an urgent fix to staff shortages.
Mount Isa Mines celebrates 100 trailblazing years, but end of copper era looms
The outback company helped with the war effort in the 1940s, established a vital railway and fostered a rural multicultural melting pot while transforming the industry with constant innovation.
Abandoned houses too expensive to repair 'a disease' plaguing outback Queensland mining city in housing crisis
In an outback town suffering crippling building shortages and an overloaded social housing system, dozens of abandoned properties are like a slap in the face to those in need of a home.
A capsized boat, a baby and a violent storm: A family reunites with the man who helped them escape a watery grave
As their boat was swallowed by angry waves in the Gulf of Carpentaria this young family, with their four-month-old baby girl, needed a miracle. Their survival story became a local legend.
You could be impacted by a power outage. Here's how to stay safe and comfortable
Power outages are affecting thousands of residents across the country. With more stormy weather on the way, there's a chance you could find yourself in a prolonged blackout. Here are some tips on what to do.
The Cairns rental crisis means flood victims consider leaving town for Christmas
Some flood victims are living in limbo, facing weeks and months of displacement. The Cairns rental crisis means there are no homes available to accommodate those in unlivable housing, while local leaders urge Airbnb hosts to step up.
'Absolutely disgraceful': Sudden Bonza flight cancellations leave outback residents stranded for Christmas
Outback Queensland residents are in uproar as another round of flight cancellations means families will be separated for Christmas, or forced to pay thousands of dollars for last-minute flights.
Mum of three left 'broken' after both family cars stolen while husband navigates brain cancer treatment
Mount Isa's Gemma Catchpole is proud to call the outback home, but feels let down by authorities after being targeted by thieves. She's calling for victims to "stand together" and demand action on youth crime.
Anthony Albanese joins new Queensland premier for weather briefing as airport, highways slowly reopen — as it happened
Parts of Far North Queensland are beginning to assess just how much damage has been caused by widespread flooding. Look back on Tuesday's updates.
'Intense rainfall' to ease as defence force deployed to rescue stranded residents in flooded Far North Queensland — as it happened
The Bureau of Meteorology says rainfall has been easing around Cairns but the emergency continues for already-waterlogged areas of Queensland's Far North.
Cairns enduring largest flood on record as BOM forecasts rainfall will not ease until Tuesday — as it happened
Emergency flood alerts have been issued for parts of Queensland's Far North, following torrential rainfall in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
Residents begin to assess damage from ex-Cyclone Jasper as heavy rain and flood threat persist — as it happened
Several people have been evacuated and the extent of the damage is beginning to emerge in Far North Queensland as ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper continues to cause widespread heavy rain and flooding.
This Aboriginal language was officially extinct. A new generation is giving it life
A 94-year-old is the last living keeper of an officially extinct language. Generations have worked to revive the Kalkutungu language, which will now be taught to students in the outback.
The government wasted $326m on this remote town. Local-led solutions are helping solve its development issues
Despite not having a rate base and barely any revenue streams, an isolated town is tackling a decades-old housing and infrastructure crisis.
Iconic Sweers Island resort sells with new owners 'excited' to carry on legacy
After nearly 40 years, the founders of one of Australia's most remote island resorts have handed over the keys with the new owners eager to keep alive a "very special place".
Outback barbers helping people battle Australia's cost-of-living crisis
Enele Maafu uses his salon skills and his love of people to boost mental health, foster connections, and combat skyrocketing living costs in his community of Mount Isa.
'Horrible' heatwave hits outback Queensland as residents swelter in 44-degree heat
Searing conditions will endure until the end of the week amid the longest stretch of hot November days since 2020. Residents are counting on widespread thunderstorms to bring relief over the weekend.