LONGREACH - how to get there, where to stay and what is on
- Written by Kath Rose
Traveling to Longreach in the heart of the Queensland Outback is actually the trip of a lifetime, which makes going to the Road to Rodeo on Saturday April 30 and Sunday May 1 the experience of a lifetime!
Building on the dual legends of rodeo and Outback Queensland, the two days of Road to Rodeo features a full rodeo competition, the Rodeo Rock concert on Saturday evening with a knock-out music line-up, food & wine, low ‘n’ slow BBQ, Brown Brother’s Proseccos Paddock (wine tasting), markets and sideshow alley, competitor meet & greets, cooking demonstrations, bush poetry and more.
This outback festival is perfectly at home in Longreach, a proud rodeo-loving region, home to stockmen, shearers, sunsets and big blue skies.
You can drive, train, fly or bus to Longreach. It’s a long way from most places, and that’s the beauty of the place – this is somewhere that truly celebrates both the journey and the destination! Here’s HOW TO GET THERE, where to visit along the way and why two days isn’t enough!
DRIVE
The drive to Longreach from anywhere is spectacular, and takes you through beautiful, rugged and famous country via Matilda Way or Barcoo Way, the Capricorn or Flinders Highway. Whatever timeline you work to, add a few hours for stopping to take in the scenery and the sunsets and sunrises. Also, watch out for a whole array of Australian animals crossing the roads! Secondly, you don’t need a 4WD, but you will need a car that likes long distances though, because check these out:
- Brisbane to Longreach via Roma 1180 km
- Brisbane to Longreach via Rockhampton 1300 km
- Rockhampton to Longreach via Emerald 690 km
- Mount Isa to Longreach via Cloncurry and Winton 650 km
- Townsville to Longreach via Hughenden 660 km
- Longreach to Ilfracombe 27 km, Barcaldine 107 km, Muttaburra 114 km, Isisford 118 km, Winton 180 km, Blackall 214 km, Jundah 217 km, Birdsville 700 km.
AIR
QantasLink (Qantas) offers daily return flights from Brisbane to Longreach. Phone 131313.
Rex Airlines flies twice weekly from Townsville to Longreach via Winton. Phone 13 22 32.
RAIL
The famous Spirit of the Outback rail journey travels twice weekly from Brisbane to Longreach and return (via Rockhampton) and is another bucket list experience to tick off. Phone 13 22 32.
COACH
Coaches travel daily Brisbane to Mount Isa via Longreach and twice weekly from Rockhampton to Longreach.
Phone 1300 287 537 for Bus Queensland or 13 14 99 for Greyhound Coaches.
ACCOMMODATION
There’s hotels and motels, self-contained options and camping, caravan parks and cabins at Longreach, BUT you will need to BOOK NOW because the little town will fill up!
Here: https://www.isarodeo.com.au/road-to-rodeo-longreach/visitor-information/accommodation-and-camping/
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https://www.isarodeo.com.au/enewsletter/
WHILE WE HAVE YOU….
If you are making the trip to Longreach, here’s some other Outback Queensland events that you’ll never forget! So, why not block out a few weeks and really get to know the country!
APRIL 10 + 11: The Birdsville Races
Dubbed the Melbourne Cup of the Outback, crowds of 6,000 racegoers converge on Birdsville each year to enjoy two days of outback racing and entertainment. If you have the time, it’s a great kickstart to your Outback Queensland adventure!
Here: https://www.outbackqueensland.com.au/events/birdsville-races/
APRIL 14 – 18: Roma’s Easter in the Country Festival
Celebrate Easter a bit differently this year – Outback Queensland style!
Here: https://www.outbackqueensland.com.au/events/romas-easter-in-the-country-festival/
APRIL 16 + 17: Easter in the Vines in St George
Set in the lush gardens at the Riversands Winery in St George, Easter in the Vines offers visitors the opportunity to experience great music, taste the best local produce and beverages in the company of friends and family.
Here: https://www.outbackqueensland.com.au/events/easter-in-the-vines-2022/
APRIL 22 – 24: Julia Creek Dirt ‘n’ Dust Festival
An epic Outback Queensland event - three days of fun and entertainment when the tiny Northwest Queensland town of Julia Creek explodes from 400 people to 3,000!
Here: https://www.outbackqueensland.com.au/events/julia-creek-dirtndust-festival/
APRIL 30 + May 1: ROAD TO RODEO LONGREACH!
MAY 12 – 15: Music In The Mulga - Country Music Festival
At home on the working sheep and cattle property, "Wandilla Station" 16 kilometres south of Eulo, in southwest Queensland, this is a unique country festival!
Here: https://www.outbackqueensland.com.au/events/music-in-the-mulga/
MAY 20 + 21: Shearers Shindig at Thargomindah
Another truly unique Outback Queensland event, starring shearers, country music and more.
Here: https://www.outbackqueensland.com.au/events/the-shearers-shindig-thargomindah/
ROAD TO RODEO LONGREACH - An Isa Rodeo Event Experience
https://www.isarodeo.com.au/road-to-rodeo-longreach/
Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May, 2022
Longreach Showgrounds and Rodeo Arena
Tickets, accommodation packages and travel itineraries: all at isarodeo.com.au
The event is supported by the Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland
Mount Isa Mines Rodeo
The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere
Thursday 11th August to Sunday 14th August 2022
Website: Isarodeo.com.au
