FIND LONGREACH

The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre is Australia's premier outback heritage institution. In Queensland's central western town of Longreach, the centre provides visitors with a spectacular outback experience.

Facilities include:

• Family dining Restaurant
• Live entertainment

The Longreach Powerhouse Museum is the largest preserved rural generating facility in Australia. Displays in this building explain how electricity was generated, maintained and distributed throughout the Shire, and the distribution network maintained. Other exhibits in the museum grounds include: social history building with displays of early Longreach history; Longreach Swimming Baths; Nogo Cottage (depicting family life in the west from 1935 to 1955); various displays of agriculture and road maintenance machinery; and a collection of commercial office equipment circa 1908 - 1950 from local business houses. The Museum forms an interesting experience for the whole family.

In 1988 the Western Queensland community established the Qantas Founders Museum in recognition of the service Qantas had given to the people of the outback. The Qantas Founders Museum celebrates the airline's growth from its inception to the influence Qantas has had on the outback and the world. Modern and interesting multi-media exhibits enhance the experience. The museum houses historic photographs, memorabilia and multi-media interactive displays which eloquently tell the inspirational stories. A unique feature of the Qantas Founders Museum is the opportunity to tour a fully-fitted Boeing 747 'Jumbo' jet and a Boeing 707. Guided tours of these amazing aircraft operate daily and with some wall and floor panels removed the Boeing 747 tour gives a unique insight into the secrets of these magnificent aircraft. A specialised 'WingWalk' tour of the Boeing 747 explores the computer systems, flight controls, cockpit, cargo holds and the opportunity to get out onto the wing and experience the full majesty of this aircraft. Longreach is the only place in the world where visitors can enjoy this experience.

The Thompson River is located approximately four and a half kilometres north west of Longreach along the Landsborough Highway (follow the signs to Winton). Look for a blue rest area sign and turn right. Water access is available and there is camping alongside the river and a picnic area with toilets within Apex Park. There is a variety of recreational and water sports available with activities such as fishing, water skiing and camping just to name a few. A boat ramp is available and a pedestrian bridge.

The Longreach Cemetery was established in 1893. With the Longreach Cemetery tour you can view interesting headstones and to the resting place of some of the early pioneers of Longreach. Feel free to wander, observe the symbols that adorn the memorials and read the epitaphs - the stories in stone still convey a message today.

The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame is a spectacular tribute to the people of outback Australia. It tells the story of the rural areas from the arrival of the Aborigines more than 40,000 years ago, settled by the British, exploration, the establishment of grazing, agriculture, mining, forestry and other industries in country Australia. It follows the story through to the present day where technologies of many kinds are playing the role in farming, business and communications. Themes also include development of the outback properties, living in the outback and the stock worker. Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame was officially opened in 1988 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Over one million people have visited this premier tribute to the men and women of the outback. Be sure not to miss the "Wool Bale" cafe where you can enjoy a snack or relaxing cuppa. The Cattlemen's Bar and Grill offers a unique and family friendly dining experience with great steaks, deep dish pies plus more. Open for lunch and dinner and is fully licensed. The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame is truly an iconic Queensland Outback experience.

Mitchell grass plains and gidgee woodlands are protected in this remote park in the Torrens Creek catchment in central-western Queensland. Forest Den National Park's semi-permanent waterholes along Torrens and Paradise Creeks provide a refuge for travellers and wildlife alike. This 5890 hectare park conserves a wide diversity of plants, some unique to this reserve within the region. Although used as grazing land for more than 100 years, little remains of this era apart from a few pastoral relics - fences, gateways and a derelict round timber bridge over Torrens Creek. Enjoy birdwatching in the cooler hours of dusk and dawn. Whistling kites, brown falcons, and waterbirds including white ibis, royal spoonbills, darters, Pacific herons, egrets and rufus-throated honeyeaters nest by the waterholes. Picnic on the banks of Torrens Creek or camp at Four Mile Waterhole. No facilities are provided. Camping fees apply.