Longreach

We have been to Longreach many times and stayed at the caravan park and the low cost van park, but this is the first time in a motel. This is the third time we have been here in the last ten months. We like Longreach. It is said to be the start of the outback and is located about 1200km north-west from Brisbane and 700km from Rockhampton and 840km from the NT Border. We planned to simply walk around town, even though it was a Sunday. We have been in Longreach on a Sunday, in fact many towns on a Sunday, it is the best time to see the old buildings and the history without the many cars and people.

Walking down Galah Street, past the Masonic Temple and turning down Duck Street to the main street Eagle Street (the streets are named after birds), we walked down one side and up the other.

There are many historic buildings in Longreach, all repurposed into either tourist facilities or local services.

One place we always visit in Longreach is the Merino Bakery, great food, great coffee. There is always a queue and waiting time. Last time Peter went there for his coffee, I had time to walk up the road and back just as he came out. Famous for its peach blossom cake, like a lamington but with jam and cream and dyed pink, but I like their eclairs and sandwiches.

As we walked down the street I was surprised there was no queue or people waiting outside. We saw customers coming and then leaving and when we got there there was a sign apologising for being closed for the day due to solar power company turning off the power for installations.

We had been to the cafe next door to the bakery a few years ago, and as we were walking past there was a lot of renovations going on. There is a new cafe opening soon - Kynda Cafe and Boutique - and I had a look at the menu and it looks great. Definitely going to try at least three or four of their sandwiches.

The site of the bakery and the cafe was once a pub, of course, so many pubs use to be in Longreach. It was originally the site of the Imperial Hotel built about 1892, and rebuilt and renovated after fires in 1898 and 1922. Longreach was gazetted a town in 1897, and was named after the long reach of the Thompson River.. The Imperial Hotel was, in its time, the largest timber hotel in Queensland and was regarded as fine dining. It met its end in 1954 after a fire. Located around the town are information boards telling history.

A few businesses still had Christmas decorations on their window, and we wondered if there was a competition between business for the best display. We liked this one.

Around town are interesting statues, plaques and history.

Further down the street is the now Station Store. We loved going in there for a look and morning tea however, like today, the last two times we were here it was closed. It was once the Central Hotel and is well worth a visit.

Next door is the old Welcome Home Hotel, now the Outback Pioneers Tours and Experiences. It was opened and we were welcomed to have a look around. We hadn't been in here before as we thought it was only a booking office, gee it was interesting. Apparently the Station next door no longer does the teas, they are done here now, as is the old time movie. Very interesting displays.

 The Outback Pioneers is also an accommodation booking agent.

One can book accommodation there, and across the road is a unique accommodation that we would like to try called The Stables.

We walked around looking at all the old horse buggys and even an old car.

Longreach is famous for many things, among them is the QANTAS Museum and the 747-200 Jumbo Jet on display.

Qantas was founded in Winton on 16 November 1920 by Hudson Fysh, Paul McGinness and Fergus McMaster, known then as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited. It moved to Longreach in 1921 and then to Brisbane in 1930. At the top of the main street, the information centre is a replica of the first QANTAS Booking Office.

Longreach is also located on the Tropic of Capricorn which also divides Queensland Torrid Zone (to the north) and Temperate Zone (to the south).

 We love Longreach and plan to visit many more times.