Unleash Longreach: Wrap Up
May 2021
With a “Clickety-Clack” we set out on track, heading 1325km through picturesque and ever-changing scenery, to arrive in our destination of Longreach. Our perfect Outback Queensland experience began aboard the Spirit of the Outback rail journey. Our journey began aboard the Spirit of the Outback passenger rail. We relaxed in the comfort of our private sleeper cabins, whilst indulging in the freshly prepared meals and cheerful hospitality, quickly becoming acquainted with each other.
There is no place else in the world quite like Outback Queensland - a land of sweeping dry plains, pioneer history and fascinating insights. Our days would begin with a home cooked breakfast, followed by truly Australian adventures and experiences led by our entertaining and knowledgeable tour guide, Jeremy Kinnon.
Some of the highlights of the trip included our visit to Nogo Station where we further explored Outback history and received an insiders’ view to station life. It could only be described as entertaining, educational and full of yarns, with an included delicious saddle bag lunch! Our visit to the famous Qantas Founders Museum was fascinating, with the evening spent indulging in a stone grill dining experience, followed by an all-you-can-eat homestead dessert bar.
In Longreach we experienced many highlights and adventures! The Cobb & Co stagecoach ride was thrilling and a guest favourite, being the only ride of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Travelling through the streets of Longreach we headed out along the original mail route of Windorah, with the old bush track and engaging commentary bringing us back into Pioneer times. Our evening adventures took us along the Thomson River, with guests being witness to a stunning sunset aboard the historical paddle wheeler. We came back ashore to enjoy a traditional stockman’s camp-fire dinner, entertaining bush poetry, a big screen presentation of ‘Captain Starlight’ with billy tea and damper.
Another highlight was our visit to the Stockman’s Hall of Fame Museum, where we discovered the history of some of Australia’s greatest and bravest explorers, stock workers, pastoralists and Indigenous Australians. We experienced the Stockman’s Life Live Show, witnessing the action of a live muster and the bond between the stockman and his animals. The day finished with a delicious CWA inspired classic, country meal.
On our final day in the Outback, we took the two-hour drive to Winton where we visited the informative Age of Dinosaurs museum and had lunch at the famous North Gregory Hotel. Our guests completed a wonderful recitation of the all-time famous ‘Waltzing Matilda’, in the location of its original debut. A trip to Winton is not complete without a visit to the Waltzing Matilda Centre where we found out more about the life of Banjo Paterson. And next time you visit Winton, be sure to find Arno’s Wall. This gem is a secret you will not want to miss!
The trip ended with another great journey aboard the Spirit of the Outback as we returned to Brisbane. With treasured memories and new friends, we created a memory bank of inspiring, insightful, hilarious and unique Outback Queensland experiences!
On behalf of the Burnie Brae Travel Team and our travel partners, we would like to say a sincere ‘thank you’ for joining us on this memorable adventure! We look forward to seeing you all for more travel adventures soon!
