My 2021 Jet engine trip
My close encounter with a 747 jet engine, was not taking off to some exotic location, I was in Longreach at the Qantas Founders Museum. Though like the majority of people in 2021 I was not flying overseas, Longreach was still a unique place to visit and I enjoyed a fabulous few days there.
Rather then drive, I travelled the 1,325 kilometres from Brisbane on the Spirit of the Outback in a comfortable first class sleeper cabin. We boarded the train from Roma Street Brisbane around 2:00 pm and arrived in Longreach 25 hours later after a comfortable sleep and 3 delicious meals. Though the carriages are quite old they were impeccably clean and the service was fantastic. It was enjoyable to look out the picture window and see a few tiny cars stuck behind a 3 tier road train waiting for a safe area to pass as I thought, this could have been me! We travelled north past the Glass house mountains to Rockhampton before turning west. I woke up at 7:00 am for breakfast at Emerald. We then continued on to Barcaldine where we disembarked to view the Tree of Knowledge.
Longreach is the main centre of the Outback region, with industries being cattle and sheep production and tourism. When I arrived in June, the town was crowded with nomads, every caravan park was overflowing and there were even traffic jams along the main street. The two major man made attractions are the Qantas Founders Museum and the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, both not to be missed. We visited the Qanats Museum on the first evening for the Luminescent show and a private dinner in the Museum. The following morning we returned to explore the “City of Bunbury” a 747 plus several other aircraft we were allowed to board. Fascinating! Close by, across the road is the Stockman’s Hall of fame. This icon consists of themed galleries, a cinematic experience depicting the significance of the stockman and how the Australian stock industry developed and changed and a live show, with sheep, cattle, dogs and horses.
A sunset cruise along the Thomson River was another highlight of my trip.
Other experiences not to be missed include a ride on the Cobb & Co Stagecoach and a day trip to Winton to see the Waltzing Matilda Centre and the fascinating Dinosaur dig and fossil laboratory at the Age of the Dinosaurs.
Contact me at gfardell@mtatravel.com.au to learn more about this fascinating destination.