Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Longreach

Longreach

Longreach, located on the Landsborough Highway, along the Thomson River, is a major centre in Queensland's outback and lies on the Tropic of Capricorn. The area was first explored by William Landsborough in 1861 with first settlers arriving in 1863 to commence sheep and beef farming. The town grew slowly until the arrival of the railway from Barcaldine in 1892 along with the boom in wool in the 1920's. In this time Qantas setup a booking station in town and operations were eventually run from this office with the first hangar built in 1921. Although pastoral industries remain the backbone of the local economy, in recent times tourism has been promoted with the arrival of the Stockman's Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre and the Qantas Founders Outback Museum (full sized Boeing 747 on display) which have both been popular. Longreach has also become a popular stop for motorists as it is the largest town for some distance and offers a full range of services.

Population: 3,000
State: Queensland
Name Origin: Named after the long reach that occurs in the nearby Thomson River
Pronunciation: Long-reech
Postcode: 4730
Local Government: Longreach Regional Council
Location: 1175km north west of Brisbane, 691km west of Rockhampton
Main Watercourses: Thomson River
Main Roads: Landsborough Highway
Radio Stations (Music): West FM (104.5), Triple J (106.1), 4LG (AM 1098)

Photos from Longreach (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Western entrance to Longreach on the Landsborough Hwy (2006).

Looking east along Sir Hudson Fysh Drive (Landsborough Hwy) as it approaches the Qantas Museum, Longreach (2006).

Sir Hudson Fysh Dr (Landsborough Highway) looking west as it enters Longreach (2006).

Wonga Street (Landsborough Hwy), looking west as it approaches Eagle St, Longreach (2006).

Eagle Street, looking south-east from Duck Street, Longreach (2006).

And again, this time looking along the southbound carriageway, Longreach (2006).

Eagle Street, looking north-west from Swan Street, Longreach (2006).

Eagle Street, looking south east as it approaches Swan Street, Longreach (2006).

The historic Qantas Ticket office (now a tourist info bureau) in Eagle Street, Longreach (2006).

Anzac Park, looking north around the base of the water tower, Longreach (2006).

View west across Anzac Park from Galah St, Longreach (2006).

Ibis Street, looking south-east from Swan Street, Longreach (2006).

Swan Street, looking north-west from Ibis Street, Longreach (2006).

Heading north along Jabiru Street outside the High School and hospital, Longreach (2006).

View south across the entrance to the Stockmans Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre, Longreach (2006).

View north towards the Qantas Museum, Longreach (2006).

The full sized Boeing 747 on display at the Qantas Museum, Longreach (2006).

Typical countryside surrounding Longreach - looking north-east along Muttaburra Rd (2006).

	Western entrance to Longreach on the Landsborough Hwy (2006).
	Looking east along Sir Hudson Fysh Drive (Landsborough Hwy) as it approaches the Qantas Museum, Longreach (2006).
	Sir Hudson Fysh Dr (Landsborough Highway) looking west as it enters Longreach (2006).
	Wonga Street (Landsborough Hwy), looking west as it approaches Eagle St, Longreach (2006).
	Eagle Street, looking south-east from Duck Street, Longreach (2006).
	And again, this time looking along the southbound carriageway, Longreach (2006).
	Eagle Street, looking north-west from Swan Street, Longreach (2006).
	Eagle Street, looking south east as it approaches Swan Street, Longreach (2006).
	The historic Qantas Ticket office (now a tourist info bureau) in Eagle Street, Longreach (2006).
	Anzac Park, looking north around the base of the water tower, Longreach (2006).
	View west across Anzac Park from Galah St, Longreach (2006).
	Ibis Street, looking south-east from Swan Street, Longreach (2006).
	Swan Street, looking north-west from Ibis Street, Longreach (2006).
	Heading north along Jabiru Street outside the High School and hospital, Longreach (2006).
	View south across the entrance to the Stockmans Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre, Longreach (2006).
	View north towards the Qantas Museum, Longreach (2006).
	The full sized Boeing 747 on display at the Qantas Museum, Longreach (2006).
	Typical countryside surrounding Longreach - looking north-east along Muttaburra Rd (2006).