Longreach to the coast

Our next stop was Longreach, a town with plenty to offer visitors to the area.

"Iris" the first of 8 aircraft built in this hanger 1926 - 1929

The most notable I think is the Stockman’s Hall of Fame. Outside we were greeted by a very tame brahman bull, a species favoured in the north of Australia as they are very tolerant of the hot conditions. Several shows are put on each day where the skills of the stockman, his horse and his dog amaze the visiting “townies”. Inside the half pipe style building there are displays and information on the stockman’s life and tributes to the indigenous women who worked as stockmen,  often disguised as men. Also included is a history of the Flying Doctor Service which in many isolated areas of the outback is the only medical help for hundreds of miles. A full size twin engine plane hangs overhead in the “pipe”.

The Qantas Founders Museum tells the story of the tiny two man operation which has grown to the international airline we all know today. Some of their early planes were so unreliable they always flew within gliding distance of possible emergency landing spots. As well as the old planes on display there are two modern airliners which can be toured and this includes a walk on the wing of a 747.

Other activities include Cobb & Co coach rides, one of which is a day trip “dashing through the bush”

We noticed as we travelled through this region that the towns had themed street names, eg birds in one town, flowers in another, famous scientists etc. Some of the towns along the highway also had roadside displays of machinery – trucks, old graders, steam engines and at Ilfracome this included the first Caterpillar tractor.
Next stop was Barcaldine, then Alpha (Beta was the next rail stop up the track) then

Tree of Knowledge" at Barcaldine, The original tree was
vandalised and died but has been preserved
as part of this giant "mobile"

Joshua (constructed of barbed
wire) at the town of Jericho

 out of the flat land into the hills before Emerald. The sides of the road were golden with different varieties of wattle and this continued for much of the rest of our journey.

Steam tram at Rockhampton

Figures on the platform
at Archer Park Stn

We finally reached the coast at Rockhampton where we spent a week camped beside the Fitzroy River opposite the city. We visited an excellent historic village, rode the old steam tram through the streets, found a couple of local Mokes, and did a day trip to Yapoon which included a stop at a crocodile farm.