LONGREACH

“Longreach is in Central West Queensland, approximately 700 km (430 mi) from the coast, west of Rockhampton. The town is on the Tropic of Capricorn in the south-east of the locality. The town is named after the “long reach” of the Thomas River on which it is situated.”

I have just returned from a fabulous week in the Outback, travelling with friends visiting Longreach and Winton. The trip was everything I had expected plus some !!

A direct flight from Brisbane with Qantaslink had us in Longreach in no time at all.

Qantas are practising safe travel with Covid 19 now part of our lives. We were provided with a mask and hand wipes for the flight.

Accommodation Saltbush Retreat

Throughout our stay in Longreach we based ourselves at Saltbush Retreat

They offer some fantastic accommodation options including their Slab Huts and Homestead Stables.

Saltbush also have some package options which include entry to the many attractions, including the Qantas Founders Museum (across the road) and Stockmans Hall of Fame (next door).

NOGO STATION

The Nogo Station Tour operated by Outback Pioneers was a fabulous insight into life on an outback sheep station and a great start to the first day of our adventure. We toured Nogo station with a Kinnon Family host, learnt about the Merino history whilst visiting the historic shearing sheds and were part of the “Water Run” checking stock supplies. We also had the chance to experience a station safari to spot outback animals finishing off with smoko under a gum tree - presented in a billy and some good old Aussie poetry recitals!

ADULTS - $119.00

AUSTRALIAN STOCKMANS HALL OF FAME AND OUTBACK HERITAGE CENTRE

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The Stockmans Hall of Fame is a great collection of our pioneering history. There are five themed galleries at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre. This site was officially opened in 1988 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. There are 5 Galleries located within the Stockmans Hall of Fame with over 1200 items on display.

ADULTS - $65.00

“ Due to Covid restrictions the Stockmans show was not operating”

QANTAS FOUNDERS MUSEUM

The Qantas Founders Museum tells the story of Australia’s national airline, from its early days in Outback Queensland to present day. Characters of the early Qantas days, their pioneering spirit and the impact the airline had for all Australians, is brought to life through life size exhibits, historical artefacts and interactive displays including the National Heritage Listed Qantas Hangar.

There are a few Tour options that you can enjoy, we choose to do Museum, Airpark Tour and 747 Wing Walk

ADULT - $137.00

Drovers Sunset Cruise and Smithy’s Dinner and Show

The colours of the outback come alive at sunset as you glide down the Thomson River aboard the Longreach Explorer. After a warm welcome by the experienced crew, we sat on the top deck ready to capture 360-degree sweeping, river and floodplain views.

We enjoyed great narration from the Captain with captivating stories about the river, its wildlife and Indigenous heritage. Drinks were available for purchase from the licensed bar to pair with the complimentary savoury delights served on individual nibbles platters.

Photo opportunities are endless, but our stop at Sunset Bend was stunning and my favourite.

As the vibrant sunset colours faded into starlight, we docked at Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show. We enjoyed table-service dining featuring camp-oven themed modern cuisine with live Aussie centric entertainment.

ADULT - $119.00

LONGREACH JOCKEY CLUB

We experienced Saturday at the Longreach Races. It was a great day out. The Longreach Jockey Club offers Thoroughbred, Harness and Greyhound racing and if you are lucky you may even be able to experience their Camel race day.

Taxi - Ph: 0429 000 900

Dining - Whilst there are no Michelin Star Restaurants in Longreach, we did enjoy meals at the following:

Harrys – Longreach Motor Inn
The Birdcage – Pub Bistro
Secret Garden Cafe

Best Coffee – Merino Bakery Longreach

Shopping – There are a number of boutiques and gift shops along the main road. Great ladies boots, hats and handbags!! The Station Store offers a large range of iconic Australian gifts and clothing also.

WINTON

“Winton is a town and locality in the Shire of Winton in Central West Queensland, Australia. It is 177 kilometres northwest of Longreach. The main industries of the area are sheep and cattle raising.”

We also had an overnight stay in Winton. The accommodation was very basic but the experience was worth the 2 hour drive from Longreach. Winton is home to the Age of the Dinosaur Museum and the Waltzing Matilda Centre.

AUSTRALIAN AGE OF THE DINOSAURS

The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum is home to the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils in the world. The Museum is split between three facilities, the Fossil Preparation Laboratory, Collection Room and Dinosaur Canyon.

ADULT - $55.00

Waltzing Matilda Centre

The first museum in the world dedicated to a song, the new Waltzing Matilda Centre boasts state of the art interpretation, telling the story of Waltzing Matilda.

ADULT - $32.00

If there is one song that lives in the heart of all Australians, it is "Waltzing Matilda"...

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
He sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
He sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled,
you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

Down came a jumbuck to drink at the billabong,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag,
you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag,
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred,
Up rode the troopers, one, two, three,
With the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
With the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, you scoundrel with me.

Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong,
You'll never catch me alive, said he,
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.
Oh, you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.

RANGELANDS STATION

Our afternoon and evening in Winton was spent exploring the Rangelands Rifts and enjoying some sunset drinks and nibbles with Vickie from Red Dirt Tours.

Rangelands Station is a privately owned working cattle station, so this is a place you do not have access to on your own. You must be on a tour to visit.

Not only is this location spectacular for sunsets it also has some amazing rock erosion called Rifts. This wind and water erosion is wearing down on weak points in the range and a little crack gets a little bigger and a little deeper. Once the crack wears through the top harder rocks and into slightly different lower rock, the erosion starts to look different and a half an hour glass shape is formed.

ADULT - $55.00

Dining – Tattersalls Hotel Winton

Coffee – Local Bakery

Shopping – Numerous Opal Shops along the main street