Longreach - Places to See

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This was published 15 years ago

Longreach - Places to See

Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame
In recent times the $12.5 million 'Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame' has generated a level of tourist activity which has made Longreach the premier destination in central Queensland. It is easy to be cynical about the Stockman's Hall of Fame but, in spite of its high prices and its carefully created commercialism, it really is worth visiting. The name is actually something of a misnomer. It would more accurately be called 'The Australian History Timeline'. Its exhibitions include a model of Aboriginal cave paintings, the first fleet (with a computerised list of all the people on the first fleet), the early settlement in Sydney, the major explorations, the early pioneers (with a model slab hut, a hawker's van and a blacksmith's shop) the pastoral expansion, and then a focus on life in the bush up to the present day. It is impossible to see it all in under two hours and many people will spend four of five hours wandering along the time line. It uses the latest audio visual techniques to great effect. For more information check out: http://www.outbackheritage.com.au/

Qantas in Longreach
The first commercial flight by Qantas in an Avro 504K took off from Longreach on 7 February 1921 at 10.30 am and took 3 hours and 10 minutes to reach Winton.

The town is still proud of its aviation past. The first Qantas booking office, a small wooden building, is located in Qantas Park in Eagle Street and is currently used as the Tourist Information Office. Behind the office is Qantas Park which contains an engine which dates from 1924.

The original Qantas hangar is located over the road from the Stockman's Hall of Fame. For many years it was nothing more than an old hangar. In recent times it has become the Qantas Founders Outback Museum and provides visitors with a unique insight into the early history of aviation in Australia. It is well worth visiting. For more details contact (07) 4658 3767. For more information check out: http://www.qfom.com.au/

Jacksons Weapons Museum
There are a number of other tourist attractions in the area including the Jacksons Weapons Museum in Cassowary Street which is really a war memorabilia museum. It is open from 2 pm to 8 pm daily and is free although donations are appreciated.

Starlight's Lookout
Located 64 km from Longreach is Starlight's Lookout. The road is less than perfect however the lookout, said to be used by Harry Redford during his cattle duffing exploits (for details about Starlight-Harry Redford see entry on Muttaburra) offers a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. With the landscape of central Queensland being so flat it is quite remarkable to get an elevated perspective on it.

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