Day 93: Wed 27 Jul - Longreach

Day 93: Wed 27 Jul - Longreach

7 (Felt like 2) to 22 deg. Strong gusting SE winds reaching 40km/hr stirring up clouds of dust and making it feel much colder. It settled by midday and turned into another sunny cloudless day, but it remained fresh in the shade and with the lazy breeze. I had my morning walk towards town today past the railway station and a few other nice old buildings, then returned for breakfast. Noel and I then walked the short distance to the QANTAS Founders Museum for our 9:30am guided tour - and wow…what a great exhibition it was. The museum covers everything about Australia's national airline from its early days in outback QLD to the present day. We had a very informative guided tour of the Boeing 747, Boeing 707, Super Constellation and DC-3 aircraft, as well as a walk though the museum, the National Heritage Listed Qantas Hangar and other historic aircraft. It was brilliant - loved it so much I would gladly come back and do it again.  After 4.5hrs, we decided to return to the van for lunch and a rest. We then drove into town to buy a few supplies before leaving tomorrow. I had a wander around town while Noel did the shopping, then we returned to the van and it was time for pre-dinner drinks. Tonight, we were joined by Greg and Linda from Baxter in Victoria who we met while parked beside them in Winton. A lovely couple - and mad Richmond Tiger supporters too.  As the sun set, it got quite fresh again, so we didn't stay outside for very long before we ventured indoors for a quiet night. Home made pizza for dinner again tonight, and using the oven, a perfect opportunity to warm inside the van. Tomorrow we have a short drive to our next destination - an overnight stay at Muttaburra. We've got plenty left to see or do to justify another visit to Longreach including the Stockman's Life Live show (regrettably we didn't include it in our Stockman's Hall of Fame visit), School of the Air tour, Paddle-wheeler cruise on the Thompson River, a sheep or cattle station tour and the powerhouse museum. Longreach is a small town with a lot more than three days allows. 

Longreach Railway Station

Longreach Railway Station

The windows of the very secretive Masonic Lodge taken to extreme heights


Approaching the Qantas Founders Museum

Artwork inside the Museum

Boeing 747 - 'City of Bunbury'. 

Boeing 747 - each of the four engines cost $6,500,000 each new

It was interesting to learn that the 747 actually had five engines - only 4 were used though. One was carried around the world as a spare if needed.

The 747 had 18 sets of wheels - each one costing $52,000 each

Two Black Boxes (actually orange). One is the Cockpit Voice Recorder, the other is the Flight Data Recorder 

At the other end of the aircraft - the Cockpit


In its serviceable life, this aircraft flew the equivalent of 2000 trips around the world carrying more than 5.4million passengers 

Boeing 747

Boeing 747 began its flying life on 10 Dec 1979 and its last service was 9 Nov 2002

Douglas  DC-3 started its life as a C-47 with the US Air Force, then given to the Royal Australian Airforce in 1944,  and converted to a civilian DC-3 by Qantas Empire Airways in 1948

Douglas  DC-3


Lockhead 1049 Super Constellation

Lockhead 1049 Super Constellation


Lockhead 1049 Super Constellation

Boeing 707 which replaced the Super Consteallations

Bedroom inside the Boeing 707

Bedroom inside the Boeing 707

AVRO 504K - The first QANTAS aircraft and used for five years

Catalina Flying Boat

Catalina Flying Boat




Cockpit - Catalina Flying Boat

Catalina Flying Boat

De Havilland DH50 replica

De Havilland DH61 Giant Moth (Replica)

De Havilland DH61 Giant Moth (Replica)


Our spot at the Caravan Park (one small part of the park) after the day's mass exodus.

Longreach Post Office

Longreach Main Street


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