There is nothing that we love more than a trip out West to Longreach. We love the history, the country charm, the breath-taking landscapes and the bounty of fantastic activities on offer. If you have not visited the heart of Queensland’s Outback, then start planning a holiday out West.
Here are ten things that you need to do while you are in town:
Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience
Take a giant step back in time with the Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience. Go on a tour through town in a stagecoach, and along the Longreach-Windorah mail route. It is the perfect way to orientate yourself when you first arrive in town.
Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame
Whether you are just passing through or staying in Longreach for a few days, visiting the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame is a must. The Hall of Fame pays tribute to the Australian Outback and tells the story of Australia’s rural history. Spend a while wandering around the museum and learning all that you can about the lives of explorers, stockmen and Aboriginal people from the local area, as well as about modern-day farming.
Qantas Founders’ Museum
If you have a keen interest in aviation, you will love the Qantas Founders’ Museum. The museum pays homage to the founders and early operations of Qantas, through artefacts, interactive exhibits, tours and replica aircraft. Climb inside a cockpit or stand inside one of the original engines, and get a first-hand look at the airline’s history.
Go on a Cemetery Tour
If you are after a historical tour that is a little more unique, then go on a guided tour around Longreach Cemetery. Longreach Cemetery is a fascinating place to discover the past, as the Cemetery is the resting place of everyone from pioneers, to Aboriginal trackers and Confederate soldiers. The tour is a great way to learn more about the history of the area.
Visit the School of the Air
While you are in Longreach, be sure to book yourself on a tour around the Longreach School of Distance Education. The tour goes for one hour and showcases how the school works. You can even watch a ‘live’ on-air lesson and see just how one of the world’s largest classrooms operates.
Longreach Powerhouse Museum
The Longreach Powerhouse Museum is Australia’s largest preserved rural generating facility. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, showing how electricity was generated and distributed throughout the region. At the Museum, be sure to check out the historic 1921 swimming baths, and Nogo Cottage to see a depiction of family life between 1935 to 1955.
Watch the sunset at Captain Starlight’s Lookout
Captain Starlight’s Lookout might just be one of the most beautiful spots in the world to watch the sunset. The views of the beautiful open country are spectacular. The Lookout is located roughly 55 kilometres north-west of Longreach, along the Muttaburra/Cramsey Road. Once you get to the Lookout, you need to hike to the top. The walk takes about 20 minutes along a path. Be sure to get to the lookout an hour before sundown, to give yourself plenty of time to climb to the top and unwind.
Indulge at Merino Bakery
Grab yourself a treat (or two) at Merino Bakery in the main street. Trust us, one visit to the bakery will not be enough.
Camden Park Station
At Camden Park Station, you can get a true taste of life in the Outback. Just 10 minutes out of town, visitors can experience a working sheep and cattle station. Take a tour around the Station and check out the oldest private ballroom in the Outback, the historic ‘Dry Bottom’ Chinaman’s Well, an incredible artesian bore and spring, and the path where Queen Elizabeth II walked.
Thomson River Cruise
See the area from a different perspective, and cruise along the Thomson River on the Longreach Explorer. Take in the beautiful scenery, watch the sunset, and enjoy dinner and live entertainment. It is a fantastic way to end a day in the Outback.
Written by Kate Nutting
