Outback Pioneers in Longreach
Where to stay in Longreach to be at the heart of the Outback Pioneering story
If you really want to experience the story of Longreach, choose accommodation that puts you right in the heritage heart of town and brings the pioneer story to life.
That’s exactly what you’ll find at The Staging Post, created by the Kinnon family who founded the award-winning Outback Pioneers.
This accommodation, which is set back from Eagle Street (Longreach’s wide main street), puts you at the centre of the heritage precinct and close to restaurants, cafes, supermarket and shops.
During the winter tourist season, the pioneering story really comes to life and you’re a couple of minutes walk from the Cobb & Co stagecoach yard and the Harry Redford Old Time Tent Show. You can also get a free coach pick-up here for all the other Outback Pioneers experiences.
If you come in summer, the town is quieter but the accommodation is open and there’s still plenty to enjoy in the region.
The Qantas Founders Museum is open year-round and is just a few minutes drive away – or walk along the shaded Botanic Way. And not far from that is the iconic Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame.
History all Around
As part of the same heritage precinct as your accommodation, you’ll find The Welcome Home, originally a 1920s hotel, now restored by the Kinnons. It’s the reception for The Staging Post and houses Outback Pioneers booking office. In winter, it also features the best country buffet breakfast in town and dining options six nights a week.
Next door to that is The Station Store (open year-round), another 1920s gem. This outback shopping emporium recreates the atmosphere of the old general stores that sold everything. Be sure to visit for outback clothing, stockman’s supplies, country homewares, leatherware, merino wool garments, outback books, toys and much more.
Accommodation where you can Live the Story
The Stables rooms at The Staging Post have pioneer traditions built into every feature. From recycled timbers to custom-made copper showers, the rooms are unique, designed to take you back to when the stagecoach pulled in to town full of intrepid, dust-covered travellers.
Your room Reveals the Pioneer way of Life
As you approach your Stables room, you’ll know you’re entering a different era by the historic horse-drawn vehicles parked in the courtyard.
Construction wood was scarce in this area in pioneer times and precious timber from earlier buildings was reused. The tradition is continued here with old timbers salvaged to create the boutique rustic ambience. Some of it comes from Nogo Station, which you can visit during the winter months.
Everywhere you look there’s something unexpected but perfectly pioneer!
Check out the tea and coffee mugs made to a design by Freeman Cobb (founder of Cobb & Co). He wanted a mug to warm both hands on crisp winter mornings – a mug without a handle.
You can wash with soap in a ‘soap cage’, which helped the pioneers economise. Swirl it around in the water to create a soapy solution!
Horse-shoes are put to a dozen uses as you’d expect in The Stables and in a time when thrift and ingenuity reigned.
Modern day conveniences like air conditioning are hidden or created in a way that seems a logical extension of the pioneer approach.
Live it – Five nights Recommended
Between April and October, you can be part of the outback pioneering world day and night. Whether you choose an inclusive holiday or come independently, there’s nowhere that lets you live the pioneer story quite like Longreach.
There’s nowhere else in Australia where you can gallop aboard a stagecoach along a Cobb & Co track through the bush.
There’s nowhere else where you can do a station safari aboard a double-decker, open-top bus to see outback animals.
There’s nowhere else that does a sunset river cruise with the same outback humour and passion for pioneer traditions, including the story of ‘Captain Starlight’ featured in the riverside Sound & Light Picture Show.
There’s nowhere else that tells the story of the Qantas pioneers of flight or has a museum celebrating our stockmen’s history.
Visit Longreach to create your own outback story!
Do you have any of your own Longreach stories to share with us?
This post is sponsored by Outback Pioneers.
