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Longreach Region Recreational Facilities
LONGREACH SKATE PARK
The skate park is fully undercover, surrounded by greenery with a playground and BBQ facilities. This is where you can ride your scooters, skate boards, BMX bikes or roller blades.
• Open daily, free to use
ROTARY PARK
Located on the Landsborough Highway, between the Shell Service Station and the Longreach Motor Inn. It has a covered BBQ area and picnic shelter.
• Open daily, free to use
EDKINS PARK (ANZAC MEMORIAL PARK)
Located on the Landsborough Highway, across from the Railway Station. The park has a covered BBQ facility with a fenced playground for the children, and toilets. Edkins Park also has the site of the Cenotaph and the ANZAC service is held there each year.
• Open daily, free to use
LIONESS PARK
Located on the corner of Sparrow and Cassowary Streets on the Northern side of Longreach. Lioness Park has an undercover BBQ area, children’s playground and toilets. The park is entirely fenced (sorry, no dogs allowed).
• Open daily, free to use
APEX PARK
Located on the Thomson River 4.5km from Longreach just off the Landsborough Highway (heading towards Winton).
The park has toilets, picnic tables, covered areas and access to the boat ramp. A great place to take in the sunset with nibbles, fishing and all water activities.
• Open daily, free to use
ISISFORD – WHITMAN’S MEMORIAL PARK
Located in Saint Anne Street, behind the Council Office and adjoins the Whitman’s Memorial Museum.
Whitman’s Park has toilets, showers and BBQ facilities available.
• Open daily, free to use
Longreach Memorial Swimming Pool
A fun place for children and adults, the pool and aquatic centre includes a 50 metre pool, playground, children’s waterpark, BBQ facilities and a heated 25 metre pool.
• Refer to Longreach Regional Council website
ILFRACOMBE ARTESIAN SPA, SWIMMING POOL AND MEMORIAL PARK
Make a stop at Ilfracombe to experience the natural mineral waters of the town’s Artesian Spa – kick back, relax and unwind in the therapeutic waters that flow from about 500m below the surface at about 34 degrees Celsius. The swimming pool, spa, playground and barbecue facilities are all set in the welcoming surrounds of Memorial Park where the whole family can cool off, unwind and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. What better way to round off your day while you take in the magnificent outback sunsets!
• Refer to Longreach Regional Council website
ISISFORD
Swimming Pool
Located in Saint Mary’s Street and adjoins the tennis court. Isisford Swimming Pool has toilets and showers.
• Refer to Longreach Regional Council website
YARAKA
Swimming Pool
Conveniently located behind the Yaraka Hotel, by the local picnic park and the caravan park, the Yaraka Swimming Pool is a great place to cool off while taking in the magnificent views of the Yang Yang Ranges or a spectacular sunset.
• Refer to Longreach Regional Council website
captain starlight story: starlight’s lookout (50KM FROM LONGREACH)
In the last 140 years, Harry Redford has become a popular local legend. Captain Starlight who is a character from the novel ‘Robbery Under Arms’ is based on Harry Redford. Legend tells it that he became part of the outback folktale when in 1870, with the company of two other people, he set out from ‘Bowen Downs’ with about 1000 head of stolen cattle. The cattle were scattered across large unexplored country travelling along the Barcoo River, Cooper Creek and the Strzelecki Track heading into South Australia. The mob of cattle included a white bull which was a problem for Harry as it was recognisable. He sold the white bull at ‘Hill Hill Station’ in South Australia so he could purchase supplies from the station store, where the bull was found by a tracker. The bull was later shipped back to Queensland as evidence against Harry at his trial. Harry continued from ‘Hill Hill Station’ towards ‘Blanchwater Station’ where he decided to sell the entire herd of cattle. The group moved south to Adelaide where Harry continued back to the Eastern States. Not knowing the whereabouts of the companions, Harry faced charges of cattle stealing; the trial was held in Roma, Queensland. The jury returned a verdict of ‘not guilty’, thus ending one of the most daring escapades in recent history. Starlight’s Lookout is Harry Redford’s legacy of Longreach. Also known as Cassidy Knob, this hill rises gently over the surrounding plains. Harry is suspected to have placed a man on this hill to overwatch the gathering of the cattle.
For more information contact the Longreach Region Explore Centre on 07 4658 4141 or 07 4658 4142.
Mount Slowcombe
(6KM WEST OF YARAKA)
The small township of Yaraka is nestled between mesa hills with the backdrop being the Yang Yang Ranges offering unique and spectacular picture postcard scenery – a photographer’s delight. The gem that Yaraka can offer to visitors is the nearby Mount Slowcombe with a tar sealed road winding its way to the top making it easily accessible even for cars. The 360 degree views from the top of this mesa hill leave every visitor shaking their heads in disbelief that so few people have discovered this spectacular outback gem which has been compared to being Queensland’s equivalent of the Northern Territory’s Kakadu. Not only does Mount Slowcombe offer awesome views, it also has an electric BBQ, covered seating and toilet facilities to enhance the experience.
For more information contact the Yaraka Hotel on 07 4657 5526.
National Parks
Lochern National Park
Travel to the heart of ‘boom and bust’ country where devastating droughts are followed by flooding rains that nourish the plains and transform parched channels into wetlands teeming with life. With a 20km frontage to the Thomson River, 24,300ha Lochern National Park’s many lagoons and waterholes provide refuge for birds and
Caring For Our National Parks
• Dispose of rubbish thoughtfully: don’t leave it behind!
• Adopt a minimal impact approach: leave only footprints, take only photos.
• Practise safe fire rules at all times: check local fire bans and laws.
other wildlife. Wander through gidyea or mulga woodlands and drive across rolling Mitchell grass plains trying to distinguish between the four different species of Mitchell grass – hoop, curly, barley and bull. See pastoral winged dams (locally known as tanks).
Idalia National Park
Emerge from thick mulga scrub to lofty escarpments and rocky gorges where elusive yellow-footed rock-wallabies hide and views surprise. Be captivated by colourful sunsets over distant plains and explore heritage sites for an insight into the hardships faced by those living here in the years gone by. Mulga scrub covers much of 144,000ha Idalia, and mature mulga has good leaf litter cover and fallen logs that make ideal fauna habitat.
Dawson gums and Mountain Yapunyah trees break the monotonous mulga green on upper slopes; while river red gums and popular box grow on sandy flats beside the usually dry Bulloo River.
Welford National Park
Enjoy almost every outback experience in one amazing park. Birdwatch, fish or camp at a billabong; see spinifex on red desert sand dunes; delve into the past at historical sites and 4WD into rugged rocky scarps where secretive yellowfooted rock-wallabies hide. At Welford’s southern boundary, the Barcoo River cuts a green and brown swathe west from rugged, rocky mulga-clad ranges towards Mitchell grass plains and some of the most easterly red sand dunes in Australia. Seek contrasting landscapes, varied wildlife and the shade and tranquillity of majestic river red gums and coolibahs along river channels that bring life-giving water to thirsty country. Aboriginal wells, stone hearths and other cultural sites are scattered across the 124,000ha park. Welford’s pise (rammed earth) homestead built in 1882 is one of only a few still occupied in Queensland but is not open to the public.
Country Classics Dining
Here in the heritage heart of Longreach, you’ll find an amazing emporium of treasures based on the traditional outback stores that sold everything and were a highlight for station folks coming into town from remote places. This fascinating store is more than just a shopping experience.
a window into outback life.
