The Queensland mining town of Emerald turned maroon on Wednesday as fans lined the main street to cheer their Queensland State of Origin heroes.

One of the towns savaged by the devastating January floods, Emerald turned on a rock star reception for Queensland legend Mal Meninga and his players, including skipper Darren Lockyer who'll break Origin's all-time appearance record in his 35th game in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Six months after the town was submerged under a metre of water, the tears that flowed like the flood rains through its streets and homes were replaced with cheers and smiles.

The players were overwhelmed by the turn-out, signing autographs and posing for pictures with excited fans.

Emerald's four primary schools and two high schools were deserted as hundreds of children mobbed the players as they battled their way along Edgerton Street to a civic reception at the Town Hall, refuge for so many people at the height of the January floods.

Local police described the crowd, estimated at 4,000, as the biggest turnout in Emerald in recent memory.

"It's the best and the biggest I've been at," declared 79-year-old local Ken Vale, wearing an Akubra and draped in a maroon scarf.

"It's the most wonderful thing to happen to the place and the school children. The city has its spirit back.

"Some people are back in their houses, some still aren't and may not be for a while but the community is going in the right direction.

"We had our annual Show last week and we had record attendances which was wonderful to see the people out with their kids.

"People in the bush, Queenslanders, they have great resilience."

Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Sam Thaiday were mobbed.

Queensland forward Dave Taylor, who grew up in nearby Blackwater, said it was a great feeling to be welcomed so warmly.

"I expected something like this having grown up out here. If one NRL player turned up you would probablyhave almost just as many people," he said.

"It's the heart of rugby league in Queensland out here."

Elder statesman Petero Civoniceva, who'll play his 29th Origin next Wednesday, was blown away by the scenes that greeted the players after their charter flight to Emerald.

"It means a lot to all of us," he said.

"When you represent Queensland you don't fully realise the amount of passion there is for this team.

"To come all the way out to Emerald and see all the maroon jerseys, people coming out of their businesses, the kids from school, it means a lot."

Lockyer said, coming from Roma, he had an idea of the excitement felt when a footy side visited.

"You look up the street and you can't see an end, there's so many people, you try to push through, it was quite an overwhelming experience," he said.

"I'm not too sure their parents will be too happy about us signing their uniforms, hats, shirts, shorts."

Lockyer said seeing their heroes in the flesh inspired the kids.

"That's what it did for me as a kid and if we find a couple of players out here, it's great for Queensland."

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