Langbaker’s Cottage- oldest building in Ilfracombe.

The highest rated motorhome in Ilfracombe.

Emu welcoming visitors to Longreach very much wired to local news.

The QANTAS Founder’s Museum looked interesting and not at all plane.

QANTAS Boeing 707 – “But my heart keeps calling me backwards; As I get on the 707; Ridin’ high I got tears in my eyes; You know you got to go through hell; Before you get to heaven. Big ol’ jet airliner; Don’t carry me too far away; Oh, oh big ol’ jet airliner; ‘Cause it’s here that I’ve got to stay.” Steve Miller Band

QANTAS Douglas DC3. It used to fly but its condition is now terminal.

Lockheed C121 Constellation. They are planning to have more planes here. They’re unsure when their plans will come good, they’re up in the air right now.

Boeing 747 – City of Bunbury

Rolls-Royce engine that propelled this aviation icon across the world throughout its 23 year career.

Street names in Longreach are all named after birds. Makes the town very uplifting.

As we like to be flexible for nature-based activities, I didn’t book for the attractions in town which were mostly sold out for the day. We took a drive out on the Jundah road till we could get a timeslot for Stockman’s Hall of Fame.

Bustards and roos – bonus!

Emus

Longreach Post Office

I found these three (very) grey nomads in the main street arguing about who would provide the tea leaves.

Longreach Shire Hall and the water tower.

Stockman’s Hall of Fame

Inside including part of the Royal Flying Doctor Service display.

Hugh Sawrey’s art workshop.

Sensors allowed visitors to wave their arms in different directions to make the dogs jump. The dogs are very clever. The drover asked his dog what’s two minus two. He said nothing.

Wagon like my John’s ancestors would have used as carriers to service the outback stations.

Outback merchant’s wagon.

Saddle work

The main reason for our visit was to see my relative Edna. Edna was the first female boss driver in Australia bringing 1600 cattle across the Murranji track in the Northern Territory and through to Dajarra in Queensland. Slim Dusty recorded a song in her honour, “Give my regards to Edna.”

A couple of Galahs in Longreach.

Matt Scott the Qld State of Origin footballer grew up in Ilfracombe. The statue shows his steely resolve.

A mob of emus in a paddock between Ilfracombe and Barcaldine. We counted 30 in the one group. Emu count today 54.

We overnighted in Barcaldine in a swanky cabin (as described by the designer – Good work JG) overlooking Sconegobblers Rest Van Park.