Major city · Australia
Longreach
Give Longreach 2 nights in the April–October season: one full day for the Qantas museum and Stockman's Hall of Fame, one evening for a river cruise. Outside the season, skip.
Longreach is a town of about 3,000 people on the Thomson River in central Outback Queensland, 687 km from Rockhampton and the terminus of the Spirit of the Outback train. It exists for visitors in the cooler months: two big outback museums, a sunset river cruise and station experiences. In summer the heat and the closed tours make it a poor stop.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Nov–Mar (40°C (104°F)+ days, many tours closed)avoid Nov–Mar (104°F (40°C)+ days, many tours closed)
- Airport
- LRE
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Longreach000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Longreach, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyLongreach is a small, low-crime town; the real risks are heat, long empty drives and wildlife on the road at dusk.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From a mobile
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLRE Longreach Airport (QantasLink from Brisbane about 3 h, once daily; Rex from Townsville twice weekly, about 2.5 h.
- Getting aroundNo public transport.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$5–7 (≈ US$4–5)
- BeerBeer in a pubA$7–10 (≈ US$5–7)
- Budget bedBackpacker or cabin bed, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$170 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$260 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$120 (≈ US$80) · Mid A$200 (≈ US$140) · High A$320 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LRE Longreach Airport (QantasLink from Brisbane about 3 h, once daily; Rex from Townsville twice weekly, about 2.5 h. Timings vary by day.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Feb
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Mar
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Nov
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Dec
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Dec (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jul (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Longreach: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Feb
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Oct
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Nov
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Dec
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No public transport. A car makes the 2 km museum strip and day trips easier; taxis work in town and tour operators collect from accommodation. Some motels hire bikes and pick up from the airport. Petrol costs about 20c a litre more than on the east coast.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Winton
goDoor to door: About 2 h each way
Drive the Landsborough Highway northwest
Dinosaur tracks and the next town on the highway; doable as a long day or better as an overnight.
Ilfracombe
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive east on the highway
Small heritage stop with a machinery mile; pairs with a museum morning.
Barcaldine
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive southeast on the Landsborough Highway
A half-day of driving for a small town; only worth it if you are heading that way.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Eagle Street (town centre)
Shops, pubs and several motels on one street; walk to dinner.
Highway strip east of town
Motels and cabins 2 km (1.2 mi) east, opposite the airport and the two museums; walkable only in cool weather.Motels and cabins 1.2 mi (2 km) east, opposite the airport and the two museums; walkable only in cool weather.
Apex Riverside Park
Unpowered bush camping near the Thomson River, about A$3 a night, busy at Easter; pay at the visitor centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$120–180 (≈ US$80–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$180–280 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
- High
- A$280 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 2 nights × A$170 | A$340 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × A$200 | A$800 |
| Qantas Founders' Museum entry2 × A$21 · check; aircraft tours cost extra | A$42 |
| Stockman's Hall of Fame entry2 × A$31 · check | A$62 |
| Sunset river cruise with dinner (in season)2 × A$99 · check; summer cruises without dinner are cheaper | A$198 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$149 |
| Trip total≈ A$410 per person per day, bed included | A$1,641≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights and the train excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$5–7 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Pub or café main | A$20–35 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Pizza | A$15–20 (≈ US$10–14) |
| Beer in a pub | A$7–10 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Petrol, per litre | About 20c above east-coast prices (check) |
| Unpowered bush camp, per night | A$3 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer days often pass 40°C (104°F): plan indoor museum time and water, or come April–October.Summer days often pass 104°F (40°C): plan indoor museum time and water, or come April–October.
- Off-season tour and dinner offerings drop sharply; check dates before booking travel.
- Mobile coverage fades about 10 km (6.2 mi) out of town; Vodafone has none. Download offline maps.Mobile coverage fades about 6.2 mi (10 km) out of town; Vodafone has none. Download offline maps.
- Long drives between outback towns: carry water, fuel up when you can, and avoid dusk animal strikes.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
LongreachLongreach
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
Embassy
No embassies in Longreach; consulates are in Brisbane and embassies in Canberra.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi in town: short hops, ask the driver for the fare (check)
- QantasLink Brisbane → Longreach: about 3 h, once daily (check)
- Spirit of the Outback Brisbane → Longreach: about 26 h, twice weekly (check)
Say or show
- G'day — G'day
- Thanks — Thanks
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- I need water — I need water
Tipping is not expected in Australia.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Longreach. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Nov–Mar (40°C+ days, many tours closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LRE: QantasLink and Rex schedules, taxi fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Walking clusters with shade anchors: Eagle Street, the museum strip, the river camp.
- Place pages with verified opening hours and season dates for both museums and the cruises.
- Heat and isolation fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialLongreach Region Explore Centre
- officialLongreach Airport
- officialQueensland Rail Travel — Spirit of the Outback
- officialQantas Founders' Museum
- officialAustralian Stockman's Hall of Fame
- officialOutback Aussie Tours — Drover's Sunset Cruise
- officialOutback Pioneers — Starlight's Cruise Experience
- secondaryWikivoyage: Longreach, revision 5243732 (CC BY-SA 4.0)