Loosen up in Longreach
6 nights from A$1,499/per person
The Heart of Queenslands Outback
Your journey begins as you board the Spirit of the Outback at Roma Street Station, and continues until you disembark 7 days later, but the people, the places and the wide open spaces of Queenslands Outback will live on in you forever.
Visit the birthplace of QANTAS at the Founders Museum, and take a walk on the wing of a 747, learn about the regions fascinating history at the Stockman's Hall of Fame, and watch the sun set and the stunning night show of thousands of stars filling the night sky beside the Coolibah lined Thomson River.
- First Class Sleeper
- All meals onboard the train
- Visit the Stockman's Hall of Fame
- Departs every Saturday in October
- 4 nights central accommodation
- Visit the Qantas Founders Museum
- Sunset Cruise on the Thomson River
- Fireside Dinner and Entertainment
6 nights from $1,499
Price is per person twin share
Prices include taxes and fees
Inclusions listed below
Package details
LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE. SELLING FAST.
Departs from Brisbane: Saturdays through October at 4.10pm
Returns to Brisbane: Fridays through October at 9.55am
Spectacular train ride to Queensland's Outback
Head to the heartland of Queensland’s outback aboard the Spirit of the Outback.
The journey between Brisbane and Longreach offers a unique insight into the history and cultures of Australia. Wonder at the ever-changing landscape as the train makes its way to the very heart of the Queensland Outback.
Board the Spirit of the Outback at Roma Street Station prior to its departure at 4.10pm, giving you plenty of time to settle into your first class cabin before dinner. Why not head to the Shearers Rest for a cup of tea or coffee, or a pre dinner drink before heading to the Tuckerbox Restaurant where dinner will be prepared by a team of dedicated onboard chefs.
Welcome to Longreach
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and then relax in your cabin, or the Shearer's Rest, and marvel at the change in scenery as the 'Spirit' makes its way up and over the Great Dividing Range and into the vast red heat of Australia. Look out for kangaroos, emu's and wedge tailed eagles, as the bustle of the coast is left behind.
As you roll into Longreach the unmistakable red and white livery of a Qantas jumbo jet dominates the skyline from kilometres away. Disembark at the Historic Longreach Train Station as the sun begins to set in the large outback sky. Collect your bags and make your way across the road to the Longreach Motor Inn, home for the next 4 nights.
Unpack and unwind, the staff at the hotel will recommend the best place for dinner tonight.
History and Heritage
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel, then take a stroll out of town to the QANTAS Founders Museum. Inside the dedicated museum, you’ll uncover many a story linked to the founding of Australia’s national airline. Whilst the airline was founded in Winton, 200km from Longreach, the first recorded flight took off from Longreach, hence why the location of the museum is here and not Winton.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Airpark which includes the Douglas DC-3, Lockheed Super Constellation, Boeing 707, and Boeing 747. Discover the incredible secrets and history of these aircraft as you climb onboard three of the four (the Super Constellation, 707 and 747).
Make sure you arrive early or leave time after your tour to experience the Museum’s Main Exhibition Hall, the Catalina amphibious aircraft display and the National Heritage Listed Qantas Hangar along with full-size replicas of the De Havilland DH-50 and DH-61 aircraft as well as the Avro 504K.
Upgrade for an additional $50 for a once in a lifetime experience, of walking on the wing of a 747!
Across the road, you’ll spot the shimmering curved roof of another Australian icon. Just like Hugh Sawrey’s famed artwork A Vision Splendid, the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame pays tribute to the Aussie Stockman. The five themed galleries also celebrate the stories of Indigenous Australians, Pastoralists and Explorers.
The actual story behind this true Aussie icon began in 1974 when Hugh Sawrey dreamt of creating a grand tribute to the unsung heroes of remote Australia. This dream, it turned out, was shared by other outstanding Australians, including the legendary R.M. Williams.
The building was completed in 1987 and was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on 29 April 1988. The museum, stunningly constructed from timber, stone and corrugated iron, is truly reminiscent of the outback. With its unique design, the Hall of Fame stands comfortably amongst the rugged yet vibrant rural landscape.
(You may choose to visit the Stockman's Hall of Fame on day four of your tour and enjoy a free afternoon today)
Loosen up in Longreach
Relax with a free day in Longreach to explore the way you want to.
Head to the Visitor Centre and collect a range of walking tour maps designed to show you around the town, spend another day in the Qantas Founders Museum, feel the surge of adrenaline on a fully restored Cobb & Co stagecoach or take a tour of one of the local stations, and learn about how life on the land has changed over the last 100 years.
Maybe its time to head back to school, with a tour of the Longreach School of Distance Ed, or take a wander through the Powerhouse and Historical Museum.
That's Thomson without the P
Your morning is free to continue exploring Longreach and its surrounds.
Did you know
- The town Longreach was given its name from the founder's astonishment at just how long the reach of the Thomson River was.
- All streets running east-west are named after water birds, in which the streets just happen to be in the same direction as the Thomson River, home to countless species of water birds.
- The streets running north-south are named after land birds, which has proven to give the town a laugh or two when the local emus walk down their designated street like they own the place!
- You haven’t eaten a true outback meal until you’ve sampled this Longreach dessert – a peach blossom.
The colours of the outback come alive at sunset as you glide down the Thomson River. After a warm welcome by our experienced crew, take your seat on the top deck ready to capture 360-degree sweeping, river and floodplain views. Our Captain will enthral you with captivating stories about the river, its wildlife and Indigenous heritage. Purchase an icy cold drink from our licensed bar to pair with complimentary savoury nibbles delights.
Photo opportunities are endless, but our stop at Sunset Bend is the hands-down favourite. As the vibrant sunset colours fade into starlight, we dock at Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show.
Settle back and enjoy an evening to remember dining under the stars beside the Coolibah-lined Thomson River. Enjoy full table-service as you tuck into a delicious two-course camp oven themed dinner, followed up with freshly baked damper and billy tea. Live on stage the talented outback performers will entertain you with their songs and stories.
Farewell to Longreach
It's time to bid Longreach a fond farewell as you re-board the Spirit of the Outback at Longreach Station. The train departs at 8.10am and as the station disappears and the iconic tail of the QANTAS 747 fades into the background, relax onboard, enjoy lunch and dinner onboard and join your fellow travellers in the Shearers Rest, to swap stories and relive the memories of your amazing outback trip.
Our Sunburnt Country
Last calls this morning, with a relaxing breakfast served as the Spirit makes it last push into Brisbane. Disembark at Roma Street Station at 9.55am.
The famous poem by Dorothy McKellar will always remind you of your time in Longreach.
I love a sunburnt country, A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges, Of drought and flooding rains,
I love her far horizons, I love her jewel sea,
Her beauty and her terror - The wide brown land for me.
Inclusions:
- Return Private First Class Sleeper (Single or Twin)
- All-inclusive daily dining (breakfast, lunch and dinner) onboard the Spirit of the Outback
- Complimentary Beer, Wine or Soft Drinks with meals onboard the Spirit of the Outback
- All day tea and coffee in the Shearers Rest
- Turn Down Cabin Service
- 4 nights accommodation in central Longreach Accommodation with Breakfast
- Entry tickets and guided tour of the QANTAS Founders Museum
- Entry tickets to the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame
- Sunset Cruise on the Thomson River
- Outback 2 Course Dinner and Show
- All taxes and service fees
Location
Longreach, Queensland, Australia
Highlights
Feel the surge of adrenaline as you’re transported full-tilt in a restored Cobb & Co stagecoach along the original Longreach-Windorah mail route. Follow the winding curve of the Thomson River or capture the golden glow of a perfect outback sunset from the air with Queensland Helicopters. Snap on a harness and step out on the wing of a Jumbo Jet at Qantas Founders Museum – guaranteed to get the heart pumping!
Imagine a classroom more than twice the size of Victoria, where the playground is as vast as the outback and the partnership between home and school is legendary. Join the Longreach School of Distance Education (formerly known as Longreach School of the Air) for a tour of one of the largest classrooms in the world! Observe their school in action and learn how education is delivered using technology in the bush. The Longreach School of Distance Education is a unique experience and is one of 16 distance education schools in the country and one of seven in Queensland.
How to get the most from your Outback holiday.
- Sleeper cabins are cosy to keep you comfortable, but there isn’t a lot of room for large luggage.
- We recommend an overnight carry-on bag with your travel essentials for your journey on the train and check in larger bags.
- Carry-on luggage Your carry-on bag should be no more than 23cm wide x 34cm high x 48cm long to fit under the bed once it’s turned down.
- Checked luggage allowance is two 20kg items per customer.
- Luggage check-in opens one (1) hour prior to departure and will be available for collection at the end of your journey.
- Bring medication you may need on the train with you in your carry-on luggage.
- Each cabin has a small wash basin with access to hot and cold water. Shared toilet and shower facilities are available at the end of each carriage.
- If you are a light sleeper, you may want to bring some earplugs and an eyemask. Train travel brings varying levels of light, sound and movement as you pass through stations, towns and level crossings.
- You will be able to use and charge an electrical device with a 240-volt power outlet provided in each cabin.
- The temperature on the train stays a consistent 22 degrees, which can feel cold compared with outside temperatures. You may wish to bring a light jacket or cardigan.
- We recommend wearing flat shoes onboard for moving about, as you will experience some swaying and movement as the train travels through country and at various speeds.
- Mobile reception is limited onboard due to the remote locations we travel through. Please expect that you will not be able to connect through your device to call, message or email for significant portions of the journey.
- Spirit of the Outback is not equipped with Wi-Fi service. Please prepare for your journey by downloading your favourite entertainment content to your device before you travel. Bring along some books, colouring in, sewing, games or cards, in between your enjoyment of the spectacular views!
- You’ll find mobile coverage in most towns with the Telstra network. Other networks have limited coverage.
- Outback Queensland’s most popular time to travel is between March and October due to the cooler temperatures.
- Whilst the outback summers are hot, they are far less humid than the coastline. Most tourist facilities and transport tour services are air-conditioned and suitable for those on long haul experiences.
- Light, casual and comfortable clothing is recommended for your stay in Longreach. It's laid back and no need for a jacket or tie for men. For women, we recommend flat shoes that are comfortable for walking.
- Make sure you visit the Longreach Visitor Information Centre (look for the yellow i). The team have maps of the area, are full of local knowledge on things to do, places to go, the best places to eat and handy information that only a local can know.
Surcharges may apply to select facilities and services