But a rain-hit region has been warned the worst is yet to come in the countdown to Christmas.
A tropical low has brought torrential showers to north Queensland, with widespread falls of up to 100mm.
A number of locations between Cairns and Mackay endured more than 200mm in 24 hours, triggering a string of flood warnings, including in Townsville, where residents near the Bohle River and Bluewater Creek were told to prepare to leave on Friday night.
Holiday makers have been urged to re-think their travel plans or expect delays as a result of road closures, with the Bruce Highway among those affected.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of more bleak weather on Saturday as the tropical low makes its way across the tropical coast.
A severe weather warning is current for heavy to locally intense rainfall between Ingham to north of Mackay, pushing inland to Charters Towers.
Heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding is forecast through Saturday morning, with six-hourly totals of 160mm to 220mm likely for coastal regions.
The bureau warned intense showers could lead to "dangerous and life-threatening" flash flooding near the low's centre in the Herbert and Lower Burdekin region, producing six-hourly totals of up to 320mm.
"We're seeing a lot of flash flooding in these areas already with many roads and highways already cut," the bureau's Miriam Bradbury said.
"We urge communities in these areas to stay in touch with your local emergency services, do not drive into floodwaters, keep yourself as safe as possible."
Forecast for tomorrow for — Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) #Qld:Showers with possible rain areas and storms with heavy falls along the coast north of St Lawrence, most likely between Proserpine and Cooktown. Isolated severe storms with damaging wind gusts possible in the far SWDetails: https://t.co/xhhEZNgX0v pic.twitter.com/puXTcK1WtwDecember 20, 2024
Heavy rain is set to ease this weekend as the tropical low gradually starts to move away from the coast into the Coral Sea.
"We're still expecting scattered showers and possible storms across northern Queensland through the later part of the weekend," Ms Bradbury said.
"But the most intense rainfall should start to ease back through Saturday afternoon."
Whitsunday Mayor Ry Collins had raised concerns about the weather's impact on festive tourism after heavy rain saturated his region, cutting off the Bruce Highway.
"It'll obviously have an effect on people coming and going," he told AAP.
"I think looking forward at the weather ... looks like we've got more rain coming but starting to clear up then (later on the weekend)."
More than 600 customers across the state are still without power largely due to storm activity.
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