8 things I discovered on a weekend in Longreach

I flew to the heart of the Queensland outback to attend the launch of Great Northern’s new premium lager, Long Run, and found a vibrant community you could spend days exploring, writes Tom Sebo for escape.com.au

Disembarking from my private charter plane at Longreach Airport, in the heart of the Queensland Outback, was like stepping foot on another planet. From its flat, barren horizon, shimmering in the desert heat, to its steely, Martian landscapes, studded with hardy native grasses – it was like nothing I had ever seen before.

I had just flown 1744 km from Sydney, via Brisbane, to attend the launch of Great Northern’s new premium lager – Long Run – which the company says is inspired by the spirit of the Outback.

Not only were we among the first in the country to get a taste of the new Aussie drop – icy cold in 35-degree heat nonetheless – we also received the red carpet treatment from this vibrant community.

While we only spent 24 hours in the town, which, admittedly, wasn’t enough to see it all (to do that would take at least two or three days), it left a lasting impression. Here are our top tips for visiting Longreach:

1. Check in to an outback retreat

One of the best things about travelling to exotic locations is discovering digs that capture the spirit of the place. Saltbush Retreat certainly falls into that category. I spent the night in one of the chic four-star timber huts, and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. From its impeccable interior design to its functional living spaces, the huts are rustic but luxurious.

The retreat also has great amenities, including a barbecue area, swimming pool and outdoor baths, fed by heated artesian bore water (the perfect spot to watch the sunrise or sunset).

2. Get high on history

It’s not every day that you see a Boeing 747 and a Super Constellation parked by the side of the road, but that is what welcomes guests to Longreach as they drive into town on the Landsborough Highway.

The Qantas Founders Museum honours the legacy of the men who started our national carrier and its long history with the town. Guests can experience everything from wing walks and plane tours to light and sound shows.

3. Embrace the outback spirit

If you want to get a feel for the history of the Queensland Outback, a visit to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame is a must. The state-of-the-art museum has many exhibits and galleries. From the pioneer’s hut to the Outback Cinema, you could spend hours wandering through it.

We spent the evening at the Hall Of Fame during our stay, having dinner at The Drover’s Place – the Dr Bruce Yates Memorial Cottage (built by the legendary bushman RM Williams) – and enjoyed a performance by Head Stockman Stewart Bryant.

Bryant performs a semi-regular “Outback Stockman’s Show”, which showcases top-notch horse riding, working dogs, cattle mustering and whip cracking. Bookings can be made online.

4. Ride the rails & cruise the river

During our stay in Longreach, we were chaperoned by the team at Outback Aussie Tours, who also provide two of the most popular tours in town: The Drover’s Sunset Cruise and the Great Darr River Rail Run.

The rail run sees visitors climbing aboard a 2000-class railmotor train for a tour that provides a unique perspective of the area. It includes a short Mulga walk and a talk about bush medicines.

The Sunset Cruise, on the other hand, has you floating down the Thomson River aboard the M.V. Longreach Explorer while your skipper regales you with tales of the river, its wildlife, and its Indigenous heritage. The tour also includes dinner and a show at Smithy’s.

5. See the new Longreach mural

Longreach has a new attraction thanks to Great Northern: a custom mural by renowned Aussie artist Jarad Danby on Swan Street. Commissioned for the Long Run launch, Danby says designing the mural was a deeply collaborative process. He worked with locals to capture the town accurately, in all its eccentricity.

“All that makes Longreach so unique is embodied here,” the artist said, “It was a challenge to cram so many unique things into this design, but that’s definitely a reflection of this little town!”

6. Eat a Croc

It’s always a good idea to avoid the crocs in the Outback, unless they’re on the menu at The Branch Restaurant in Longreach, in which case – dig in.

To celebrate the Long Run launch, The Branch’s chefs Nevashin Naidu and Clive Zhongo took part in a month-long mentorship program with four top Aussie chefs – Sam Homan from Omnia, John Demetrios from Yugen, and Hugh Allen and Chris Marshall from Vue de Monde. Collectively, they put on a feed to remember.

The hero of the menu was the lemon and herb crocodile san choy bow. You can’t leave town without tasting it.

7. Don’t forget to look up!

Perhaps the most stunning thing about the Outback for a first-timer is the midnight sky. It’s so vivid and unpolluted that it looks like somebody has poured glitter between the stars. Magical.

8. Have a beer in town

It wouldn’t be an Outback town without a couple of excellent pubs. While we didn’t have time for a pub crawl – next time, for sure – we finished the evening off at Chute 1 Bar and Grill with a few more beers. And yes, they were Long Runs.

The writer was a guest of Great Northern Brewing Co.

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