LRE (Longreach) weekend - 26-27 Sep 2026

[Roelie]

@samh004 - many thanks - excellent information - once you fly all the way to Longreach on a Dash8 might as well spend a few days and see all points of interest nearby (hey it's the outback - nearby can be a few 100 K's) - it's probably a "once and done" sort of place.

Oh no… for someone who lives in Longreach there’s lots to do and if you don’t rush (life is slower in the west) and really appreciate the landscape and what we offer, you may enjoy coming back again and again.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Oh no… for someone who lives in Longreach there’s lots to do and if you don’t rush (life is slower in the west) and really appreciate the landscape and what we offer, you may enjoy coming back again and again.

Welcome to AFF @Roelie
My brother now 74, was a jackaroo there in the late '60's as a 16 year old from Melbourne!
It is his spiritual home and he returns 2-3 times a year.
It is still on my list of places to go.

 

[jb747]

I think the main issue is knowledgeable guides for the 747 tour.

Without wanting to be harsh, I expect they're always in short supply. Take any anecdotes with grain of salt.

Going out on the wing gives a true sense of the 747's scale.

 

[kpc]

Going out on the wing gives a true sense of the 747's scale.

I was impressed how flexible the wings were...we were allowed to jump up and down!

 

[Roelie]

Welcome to AFF @Roelie
My brother now 74, was a jackaroo there in the late '60's as a 16 year old from Melbourne!
It is his spiritual home and he returns 2-3 times a year.
It is still on my list of places to go.

Thank you for the welcome. Do you know which property your brother was on or the names of the owners/managers? (I might know them….)

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thank you for the welcome. Do you know which property your brother was on or the names of the owners/managers? (I might know them….)

Have sent you a DM @Roelie

 

[Ade]

So, I'm Platinum for this weekend! yayy!

Just got off the phone w/ QF and pleased with WP CR release

25SEP QF1956 CBR-BNE QF CR release - booked, waiting for etkts
25SEP overnight in BNE- hotel to be booked

New Flights: Thanks to @Dantas for pointing out that I had booked incorrect dates - one of the consequences of leaving things last minute (which ain't new for me) and doing more than one thing at any given time!

24SEP QF1956 CBR-BNE - QF CR release - booked
24SEP overnight in BNE - to be booked

25SEP QF2546 BNE-LRE - no CR available, to be booked as a cash fare
25SEP Saltbush is booked out, so booked stay at Jumbuck Inn, next door to Saltbush.

26SEP 0830 First Class Tour and 1900 Light & Sound show - trying to book hit a snag with the website. Called the good folks over at the museum, they can see my booking, but can't see the payment. CC not charged yet. So secured a payment link and 24hour window before when I should make the payment - to be done. Now paid and booked (same tour as the rest of this group)

26SEP Saltbush is booked out, so booked stay at Jumbuck Inn, next door to Saltbush.

27SEP Stockman Hall of Fame - to be booked

27SEP QF2543 - no CR available, to be booked as a cash fare
27SEP QF1517 BNE-CBR - QF CR release - booked

 

[Ade]

So, I'm Platinum for this weekend! yayy!

Just got off the phone w/ QF and pleased with WP CR release

25SEP QF1956 CBR-BNE QF CR release - booked, waiting for etkts
25SEP overnight in BNE- hotel to be booked

New Flights: Thanks to @Dantas for pointing out that I had booked incorrect dates - one of the consequences of leaving things last minute (which ain't new for me) and doing more than one thing at any given time!

24SEP QF1956 CBR-BNE - QF CR release - booked
24SEP overnight in BNE - to be booked

25SEP QF2546 BNE-LRE - no CR available, to be booked as a cash fare
25SEP Saltbush is booked out, so booked stay at Jumbuck Inn, next door to Saltbush.

26SEP 0830 First Class Tour and 1900 Light & Sound show - trying to book hit a snag with the website. Called the good folks over at the museum, they can see my booking, but can't see the payment. CC not charged yet. So secured a payment link and 24hour window before when I should make the payment - to be done. Now paid and booked (same tour as the rest of this group)

26SEP Saltbush is booked out, so booked stay at Jumbuck Inn, next door to Saltbush.

27SEP Stockman Hall of Fame - to be booked

27SEP QF2543 - no CR available, to be booked as a cash fare
27SEP QF1517 BNE-CBR - QF CR release - booked

24SEP o/n in BNE - booked.
25SEP-27SEP - BNE-LRE-BNE - cash fare - booked.
27SEP Stockman Hall of Fame - booked the 0900 4 hour Ultimate tour

Looking forward to seeing you all there

 

[Ade]

On board QF1956 - CBR-BNE - delayed due to ground crew noticing a small dent on the rear of the aircraft … crew doing air worthiness check … fingers crossed!

 

[Dantas]

About to complete the first leg HBA-MEL on QF1296. Managed to snap some stats…excuse the blurry zoom-in

 

[Roelie]

To everyone heading to Longreach this weekend, have a great time in my home town. I am sorry that I won't be around to meet you, have a coffee and a chat, share a meal or to help show you the sights.

I am sorry that I didn't mention earlier that the races in Longreach are on this Saturday (26 September) and it's the Spring Meet. It will be quite the event.

If you don't have any 'racing gear' check out St Vinnies in the main street (Eagle Street) on Friday or Saturday morning. You might win 'Fashion of the Field'.

I highly recommend you have a feed (dinner) at The Italian at the bottom end of Eagle Street. It's very authentic and the outdoor area out the back is delightful.

The nights are sure to be balmy.... Perhaps consider booking at The Italian if you are interested, as it is race weekend and lots of people will be in town.

There could be entertainment after the final race - another consideration of what could be a jammed packed weekend in central western Queensland.

I hope you all enjoy yourselves and have a memorable (for only good reasons) weekend. Safe travelling.

 

[Dantas]

To everyone heading to Longreach this weekend, have a great time in my home town. I am sorry that I won't be around to meet you, have a coffee and a chat, share a meal or to help show you the sights.

I am sorry that I didn't mention earlier that the races in Longreach are on this Saturday (26 September) and it's the Spring Meet. It will be quite the event.

If you don't have any 'racing gear' check out St Vinnies in the main street (Eagle Street) on Friday or Saturday morning. You might win 'Fashion of the Field'.

I highly recommend you have a feed (dinner) at The Italian at the bottom end of Eagle Street. It's very authentic and the outdoor area out the back is delightful.

The nights are sure to be balmy.... Perhaps consider booking at The Italian if you are interested, as it is race weekend and lots of people will be in town.

There could be entertainment after the final race - another consideration of what could be a jammed packed weekend in central western Queensland.

I hope you all enjoy yourselves and have a memorable (for only good reasons) weekend. Safe travelling.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Dantas]

Novotel MEL airport

 

[Ade]

Accor Gold welcome drink plus snack in room. Ibis styles. The cookie is good.

 

[LCC]

To everyone heading to Longreach this weekend, have a great time in my home town. I am sorry that I won't be around to meet you, have a coffee and a chat, share a meal or to help show you the sights.

I am sorry that I didn't mention earlier that the races in Longreach are on this Saturday (26 September) and it's the Spring Meet. It will be quite the event.

If you don't have any 'racing gear' check out St Vinnies in the main street (Eagle Street) on Friday or Saturday morning. You might win 'Fashion of the Field'.

I highly recommend you have a feed (dinner) at The Italian at the bottom end of Eagle Street. It's very authentic and the outdoor area out the back is delightful.

The nights are sure to be balmy.... Perhaps consider booking at The Italian if you are interested, as it is race weekend and lots of people will be in town.

There could be entertainment after the final race - another consideration of what could be a jammed packed weekend in central western Queensland.

I hope you all enjoy yourselves and have a memorable (for only good reasons) weekend. Safe travelling.

Coincidently we were just in Longreach as part of our QLD road trip and had a lovely dinner at the Italian earlier this week, terrific wine list. We didn’t do the specific tour of the 747 coughpit and wingspan walk but John was an excellent and knowledgeable guide for the air park tour which included a walkthrough of the 747. Also agree the Saltbush cabins were comfortable and convenient.