Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

OUTBACK QUEENSLAND 363
the first type of aircraft operated by Qantas. Located at the airport, opposite the
Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, this sleek building, which resembles an aircraft
hangar, contrasts perfectly with the original hangar.
Qantas hangar, Longreach Airport. & 07/4658 3737. qfom@tpg.com.au. A$15 (US$9.75) adults, A$12
(US$7.80) seniors, A$8 (US$5.20) children 7–16, A$30 (US$20) family. Daily 9am–5pm except Christmas.
OTHER THINGS TO SEE & DO
Thomson River cruises—usually at sunset—are run by two local companies,
Billabong Boat Cruises (& 07/4658 1776) and Yellowbelly Explorer (& 07/
4658 3000). A 3-hour cruise with Yellowbelly Explorer includes pickup
from Longreach accommodations and dinner, and costs A$39 (US$25) adults
and A$22 (US$14) children. At the end of the night, you’ll be entertained by
some of the local talent, which could be bush poetry or a singalong.
Take a half-day tour to Oakley Station to experience life on a cattle and sheep
property. The station is a 15-minute drive from town, so you won’t be spending
a lot of time getting there. Four generations of the Forrest family have farmed
this land, with Brahmin cattle and merino sheep. The 3-hour tour includes
afternoon tea with the Forrests, and costs A$36 (US$23) adults, A$21 (US$14)
children, and can be booked through any of the tour companies or Longreach
Outback Travel Centre (& 07/4658 1776).
A 30-minute drive from Longreach is the small town of Ilfracombe. Attractions
include the folk museum, with its large collection of old vehicles, including
a horse-drawn wool wagon, sulkies, cart, and farm machinery. The museum
also has a turn-of-the-20th-century police cell and a collection of Aboriginal
artifacts, historic photographs, and early pioneering silver and china.
Stop at the historic Wellshot Hotel in Ilfracombe for a cool drink. Named for
the largest sheep station in the world in its heyday, the pub is a popular local
watering hole.
WHERE TO STAY
Albert Park Motel The Albert Park is conveniently located just 200m (660 ft.)
from the airport (and Qantas Founders Museum) and 500m (1600 ft.) from the
Australian Stockmen’s Hall of Fame. It’s about 1.5km (just under a mile) to the
center of town. The Oasis restaurant is open for dinner 7 days, and is usually
open for breakfast in high season (Easter–Oct). The a la carte dinner menu
offers large meals at reasonable prices. There are nonsmoking rooms, and hair
dryers are provided on request.
Sir Hudson Fysh Dr., Longreach, QLD 4730. & 1800/821 811 in Australia, or 07/4658 2411. Fax 07/4658
3181. 56 units (with shower only). A$94 (US$61) single; A$105 (US$68) double. Extra adult A$12 (US$7.80),
extra child A$6 (US$3.90). AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; shaded heated saltwater
pool; Jacuzzi; children’s wading pool; tour desk; room service (breakfast and dinner only); dry cleaning; guest
laundry. In room: A/C, TV w/free movies, small fridge, minibar, coffeemaker, iron.
WINTON
175km (109 miles) NW of Longreach; 1500km (94 miles) NW of Brisbane; 470km (294 miles) E of Mt. Isa
Winton is best known as the place where Banjo Paterson wrote “Waltzing Matilda”
in 1885, for which the nearby Combo Waterhole was the inspiration. The town has
a population of 1,200 and most of its major attractions are linked to the song.
GETTING THERE & AROUND The nearest car hire is in Longreach. Roads
are all sealed between Winton, Longreach, and Mt. Isa. McCafferty’s (& 13 14
99) and Greyhound Pioneer (& 13 20 30) have daily coach services between