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STARLIGHT’S CRUISE EXPERIENCE
APRIL TO OCTOBER - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
OUTBACK PIONEERS
Board the only paddle wheeler west of the Great Divide or on the historic Thomson Princess Riverboat and enjoy an adventure to the heart of Outback tradition and legend.
After a gentle cruise down the majestic Thomson, where birds flock to roost on the riverbanks, we go ashore for a traditional stockman’s camp-fire dinner, followed by bush poetry with a local outback storyteller.
Next, the bush is illuminated by the Starlight’s Spectacular Sound & Light Picture Show – a unique big-screen presentation featuring the Kinnon & Co family and locals in the amazing adventures of the notorious cattle thief known as ‘Captain Starlight’.
Finally, in the atmospheric surroundings of the bush at night, enjoy the timeless favourite – billy tea and damper.
Available:
APRIL TO OCTOBER
Monday to Saturday
4-hour experience
From 4:30pmPhone: 07 4658 1776
email: [email protected]
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DROVER’S SUNSET CRUISE WITH SMITHY'S OUTBACK DINNER & SHOW
APRIL TO OCTOBER - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
OUTBACK AUSSIE TOURS
All aboard the Longreach Explorer! Relax on the top deck with 360 degree views of the majestic Thomson River. Your captain will captivate you with stories about the river, its wildlife and indigenous links. Purchase a drink from our licensed bar and enjoy complimentary nibbles.
We stop at Sunset Bend to toast the sunset and take in the stunning colours of the outback sky. As the colours fade into starlight, we dock at Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show
Relax under the stars with table-service dining featuring camp-oven themed modern cuisine. Live on stage, our quality guest artists will entertain you with their songs and stories.
Available:
APRIL TO OCTOBER
Daily (as per schedule)
4-hour experience
From 4:30pmPhone: 1300 78 78 90
email: [email protected]
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CAMDEN PARK STATION LUNCH TOUR
MAY TO SEPTEMBER – BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
OUTBACK AUSSIE TOURS
Join us on a tour of Camden Park Station, an 18,000-acre property just a short drive from town. This historic property has been in the Walker family for 5 generations.
See the ‘Dry Bottom’ Chinaman’s Well built in the 1920s, visit Swaggies Grave and see the huge solar farm, just one of the recent diversifications undertaken by the family.
Enjoy a delicious Ploughman’s lunch in the Shearing Shed while listening to stories of when royalty came to visit.
Available:
MAY TO SEPTEMBER
Monday
11.00am – 1.30pmPhone: 1300 78 78 90
email: [email protected]
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COBB & CO STAGECOACH EXPERIENCE
APRIL TO OCTOBER - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
OUTBACK PIONEERS
Hear the pounding hooves of the magnificent horses on the outback dirt road. Hear the rattle and creak of the coach. Hold on to your hat for the only stagecoach gallop in Australia! It’s exhilarating. It’s entertaining. And it’s the closest you can get to feeling what it would have been like in the pioneer past.
After the 45 minute stagecoach ride and photos, slow down with a traditional smoko (the original Aussie tea break), a classic Australian movie in retro cinema seats and our Harry Redford Old Time Tent Show, which has fun for all the family in a tribute to the old travelling shows.
The 4-hour experience starts from Kinnon & Co’s The Station Store in town.
Available:
APRIL TO OCTOBER
Monday to Friday
4-hour experience
From 8:30amPhone: 07 4658 1776
email: [email protected]
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NOGO STATION EXPERIENCE
APRIL TO OCTOBER - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
OUTBACK PIONEERS
In the historic shearing sheds, you’ll meet the merinos and marvel as the wool story unfolds. Then experience a station safari by open-top double-decker with a spectacular view of the vast plains where wedge-tailed eagles fly and local wildlife mingles with iconic cattle breeds, stock-horses and feral animals like desert camels, wild donkeys, pigs and more.
You’ll visit a recreation of Captain’s Starlight’s camp and the ruins of his stockyards, which have been here at Nogo Station for over a century. This is where his incredible story came to life. Relax with smoko under the gum trees (with billy tea of course) while the Kinnons tell you more.
Available:
APRIL TO OCTOBER
Tuesday & Friday
4-hour experience
7:45 -11:45amPhone: 07 4658 1776
email: [email protected]
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SUNSET STAGECOACH EXPERIENCE
APRIL TO OCTOBER - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
OUTBACK PIONEERS
With this special small-group experience (new in 2022) you step into the past with the legendary stagecoach driver, Ned Devine and his famous team of all grey horses. Join your fellow wayfarers and become pioneers for the evening as Ned welcomes you for an evocative stagecoach journey into the bush. The ride reaches a vantage point at sunset, where you’ll soak in the colours of the outback sky and linger awhile for refreshments before returning to town with the stagecoach lamps lit. Then join ‘Ned Devine’ for dinner to hear more of his story and the folklore of the stagecoach drivers.
Available:
APRIL TO OCTOBER
Tuesday and Friday evenings
3.5 hour experience
5:00pm – 8:30pmPhone: 07 46581776
email: [email protected]
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SMITHY'S OUTBACK DINNER & SHOW
APRIL TO OCTOBER - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
OUTBACK AUSSIE TOURS
Tonight, settle back and enjoy an evening to remember dining under the stars beside the Coolibah lined river. Begin with sunset nibbles followed by a two-course table service dinner, featuring our camp oven themed modern cuisine. A good selection of wine and cold beer is available for purchase from our licensed cash bar.
Live on stage our quality guest performers will entertain you with their songs and stories. A night out at the award-winning Smithy’s is a ‘must do’ when in Longreach – an experience that is bound to be a highlight of your Outback holiday.
Available:
APRIL TO OCTOBER
Daily (as per schedule)
6.00pm – 8.45pmPhone: 1300 78 78 90
email: [email protected]
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HARRY REDFORD OLD TIME TENT SHOW
APRIL TO OCTOBER - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
OUTBACK PIONEERS
This is Aussie outback humour and ingenuity at its best! It’s a hilarious hour of entertainment featuring animals, stockmen and improvised live theatre with a laugh a minute. Kids love it and so do adults.
Based on the traditional outback travelling shows, it’s hard not to be charmed by the simple delights of bush theatre. The Harry Redford Old Time Tent Show tells a fictional story set in the time of Harry Redford (Captain Starlight) and refers to his infamous adventures.
Available:
APRIL TO OCTOBER
Monday to Friday
12.00pm – 1.00pmPhone: 07 4658 1776
email: [email protected]
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LONGREACH SCHOOL OF DISTANCE EDUCATION
MARCH TO SEPTEMBER - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
‘Imagine a classroom more than twice the size of Victoria, where the playground is as vast as the outback and the partnership between home and school is legendary’.
We invite you to join us in touring one of the largest classrooms in the world! Observe our school in action and learn how education is delivered using technology ‘in the bush’.
The ‘Longreach School of Distance Education’ (formerly known as Longreach School of the Air) is a unique experience and is one of sixteen distance education schools in the country; and one of seven in QLD.
Available:
MARCH TO SEPTEMBER
Monday to Friday
9:00 am and 10:30 amLSODE Tours are closed on all Public Holidays & during the Christmas school holidays.
Phone: (07) 4658 4232
email: [email protected]
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WINTON DISCOVERY DAY TOUR
APRIL TO OCTOBER - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
OUTBACK PIONEERS
Our air-conditioned coach tour travels the 180 kilometres from Longreach to Winton, a town that holds a special place in local history and pre-history. Winton is known for its dinosaur fossils and the award-winning Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum is one of the highlights of the tour – an opportunity to learn more about the amazing creatures that once walked this part of the world.
This is Banjo Paterson country too and the town’s landmarks pay tribute to this Australian hero and his famous song ‘Waltzing Matilda’. You’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch at the legendary North Gregory Hotel, which originally opened in 1879 and where Banjo Paterson is said to have first performed Waltzing Matilda.
You’ll also visit the brand new Waltzing Matilda Centre, rebuilt better than ever after a fire in 2015. We’re all excited to see how this attraction has evolved.
Available:
APRIL TO OCTOBER
Saturday
Full day experience
6:45am – 4pmPhone: (07) 4658 1776
email: [email protected]
Powerhouse & Historical Museum
The Powerhouse & Historical Museum is a local history museum and heritage listed generating station. The museum is a great family & pet friendly attraction to visit, not only incorporating the history of power in Longreach over the years but a space for kids to learn in a fun way by following a scavenger hunt throughout the complex.
Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame
The story of the “Great Brown Land, its people, its landscapes, its animals, and its environment. That is our story, a moment captured, a time remembered, a people and place that is like no other. Indigenous, pastoralists, explorers, men, women and children, animals, and environment co-existing, succeeding, failing, living, and dying, they all have a story to tell, and it is our great honour to be the custodians of these stories and share them with our visitors.
QANTAS FOUNDERS MUSEUM
Experience the captivating journey of aviation history at the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach, a true gem of the outback. Step back in time and explore the birthplace of the world-renowned airline, Qantas, in this remarkable museum. Immerse yourself in the rich history of aviation through interactive displays, engaging exhibits, and a stunning collection of aircraft, including the legendary Boeing 747 and Super Constellation. Discover the courage and innovation that shaped Qantas into an international icon.
LONGREACH SCHOOL OF DISTANCE EDUCATION
Your guided tour includes an overview of distance education in the bush and beyond. You’ll meet students, see them on on-air and find out about their lives. You’ll catch an on-air lesson with teachers based at the school and have time to explore the school grounds, student and other information displays and meet school staff.
OLD TIME TENT SHOW
Back in the pioneer era, people flocked to the tent shows when they arrived in town. This show is inspired by the simple fun and humour of those days. Of course times have changed and we shudder at some of the original exhibits but we’ve still managed to pack in plenty of quirky humour and a few animal antics.
NOGO STATION EXPERIENCE
You rarely feel closer to the iconic Australian life than when you’re on an outback station. You’ll discover the merino story and meet the merinos in the historic woolsheds, you’ll join your host on the water run, you’ll see the ruins of Captain Starlight’s famous stockyards and you’ll see domestic animals, feral animals and wildlife on the sunlit plains.
COBB & CO STAGECOACH EXPERIENCE
Clamber aboard the old stagecoach, just as a pioneer would have done, while the team of horses wait patiently. Then it’s off with creaks and rattles to the old Longreach-Windorah mail route. There you’ll travel along the bush track, before a short gallop to ‘outrun the storm’. This is the only place in Australia you can gallop in a stagecoach!
The experience also includes a delicious outback smoko (morning tea), a classic bush movie in the old theatrette and the Old Time Tent Show.
Wear old clothes as it can be a dusty ride and discover your pioneering spirit!
Edkins Park
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Location – Corner of Landsborough Highway and Galah Street, Longreach
Edkins park has a covered BBQ facility with a children’s playground and Male/female/disabled toilets. Edkins Park also has the site of The Cenotaph and the Longreach ANZAC service is held here each year as well as Carols by Candlelight and other activities throughout the year.
Lioness Park
Location – corner Sparrow and Cassowary Streets, Longreach
Lioness Park has a BBQ, children’s playground area and male/female/disabled toilets. This park is entirely fenced. Playgroup is held here weekly.
Skate Park
Location – at the end of Eagle Street in Longreach, heading south towards Jundah.
The skate park is a covered and surround by a lovely green lawn and gardens. This is where you can ride your skate board, BMX Bike or Roller Blades. The skate park is a popular social area for local youth. The park has toilets, BBQ area, playground and a lovely lawn area.
Artesian Spa
Feel the benefits as you soak your travel weary muscles as you step in and immerse yourself in the rejuvenating mineral waters of this artesian spa. The Artesian Spa is located in the Ilfracombe Memorial park which also has a swimming pool.
Ilfracombe Memorial Park
This attractive park has access to a 20m swimming pool and heated mineral spa. Shade structures are situated throughout and there are Male/female/disabled toilets/showers. Enjoy a leisurely soak and take advantage of the playground equipment and free barbeque facilities. The park is also home to the Rotunda, an elegant centrepiece erected in memory of Ilfracombe’s war heroes.
