November 9, 2024 • 34 mins
What happens when a simple journey to Opalton turns into an unforgettable adventure? Equipped with our capable off-road vehicles, we finally conquered the challenging terrain that had previously stopped us in our tracks. Join us as we set up camp at the rustic Opalton Bush Camp, where simplicity meets serenity with donkey boiler showers and expansive camping grounds. The beauty of the outback revealed itself in unexpected ways, offering both challenges and moments of pure wonder.
The real gem of Opalton, however, was our encounter with Glen, the captivating opal miner whose humorous storytelling made our stay so memorable. With his generous spirit, Glen led us on an early morning tour to secret fossicking spots. Armed with buckets and spray bottles that he generously provides for free, families come together in the thrill of the opal hunt, forging bonds amidst the rugged beauty of the landscape. The night's sky, dotted with a billion stars and the crackling of our communal fire, left a lasting mark, and we urge travellers to support Glen’s unique crafts, a testament to the outback's authentic charm.
Our journey continued to Longreach, with local wildlife sightings and fascinating roadside attractions guiding the way, Longreach proved to be a treasure trove of experiences. A highlight was the Qantas Founders Museum, where we explored aviation history and marveled at the iconic 747-200, thanks to insightful guides John and Sarah. From the museum's art exhibits to its interactive offerings, Longreach welcomed us with open arms, ensuring it became a memorable chapter in our adventure across Outback Queensland.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
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Speaker 1 (00:33):
Welcome to Season 9, Episode 5 of the Family Travel
Australia podcast.
We are Paul, Katie and Jasperfrom the Feel Good Family.
Join us as we explore thisgreat country, Australia, its
people, places and cultures.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Yes, welcome to the Family Travel Podcast, where we
share the latest in RV industrynews road trip travel,
caravanning and camping, productreviews, where to go, what to
do, and so much more.
Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
This week we find the real Opal Hunter and we make
tracks to Long Reach for abucket list experience in
Outback Queensland.
Gee, we love being in theOutback.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Oh, we sure do, and there is nothing better than
discovering places you've neverbeen before.
I love it out here and to beable to finally get out to not
only Opalton, but also to stopand stay in Longreach.
These are two places that havebeen high on our list for a very
long time.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Yeah, that's right Back four years ago when little
Jasperoo was only four.
In fact, we celebrated hisfourth birthday in Winton, as we
mentioned, and now getting tocelebrate his eighth birthday.
We did make the track actuallyout to Opelton without our van
on.
We were in our Toyota Hilux.
We got about halfway out there,which it's only 121 kilometres
(02:04):
from Winton to Opalton.
That takes easily two hoursbecause of the road conditions.
I mean, there's no bitumen,there's no, nothing baby.
It really is barren land for themajority of the journey out
here and the road really doesdiffer in its terrain, sometimes
really sandy, sometimes redearth, sometimes limestone.
(02:25):
It's really interesting.
Not very hilly, fairly flat, sofairly easy in that sense.
But we got about halfway outand the sky was that incredible
outback purple colour, when youknow it is building to epic
proportion storm rain.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Yes, we pulled up in the middle of the road.
There was nobody else coming.
We're like do we Don't?
We?
Do we push on and just hopethat it passes over, or do we
make the call now and cut ourlosses and turn around and go
back to Winton?
Speaker 1 (03:00):
You know, it's kind of like how far can you walk
into a forest?
Yes, Well, we got halfway.
So it sort of of like how farcan you walk into a forest?
Yes, you know, well, we gothalfway.
So it sort of felt like beingripped off here.
But we did, we turned around.
We were a little nervousprobably more nervous back then
Very unknown you know all thegear and no idea.
And so we headed back intoWinton and we caught up with our
(03:22):
good mate Taranto, the OpalMiner, and he said, gee, you're
lucky, you turned around.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Oh yes, you guys, you could have been out there for
weeks.
Stuck out there when it rains,nobody goes anywhere, and we.
It was a big sigh of reliefthere, that's for sure, because
we certainly weren't set up orprepared to spend a few weeks in
our vehicle back then were we?
Speaker 1 (03:45):
No, exactly Now.
The weather out there currentlyis 35 degrees during the day
and not a drop of rain in sightfor probably a fairly long time,
and so we knew that we had thisincredible window to be able to
even tow the van out there.
I mean, having the off-roadvehicles now just makes all the
difference.
And so we did.
(04:05):
We headed out two hours.
We filled our tanks up withwater.
Water is pretty wellnon-existent out there, although
the council has put in amassive dam for the I don't know
, it varies between eight andmaybe 18 people the locals but
they do have a water supply now,which is really wonderful.
(04:27):
It means that they can stay andplay and try and strike their
fortune for longer periods oftime.
And we got out there and foundthe Opalton Bush Camp.
It is the one and only optionfor your camping needs, for your
journey out to Opalton.
At $2.50 per person per night,I think this would have to be
(04:56):
the cheapest, low-costcampground for what you get that
we have ever found or stayed at, loved it.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Absolutely awesome.
I mean, of course, there's nopower or water hookups.
You do need to be who needs it.
Well, that's right out here.
When you've got that sunshining all day long, certainly
don't have any issues withloading up the batteries with
all of that beautiful solarpower.
But they do have amenities.
You can have yourself a nicehot shower in their bathrooms
(05:21):
there.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
They're donkey boiler showers and we've spoken about
the donkey boiler in pastepisodes.
But basically, load up the wood, light it up, come back in 45
minutes and hot water at yourfingertips.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Yeah, awesome, brilliant.
There's a little camp kitchen,shelter area and there's a
number of other little shelteredareas that are scattered
throughout the grounds of thebush camping area.
And look, let's be honest, itkind of you know how do you know
where the boundary of the bushcaravan park is?
(05:59):
It sort of just stretches onforever, you don't.
Yeah that's right and that'swhat's part of the appeal.
But there are little sheltersthere, so if you were coming out
, say, without a vehicle in tow,you could pull up to one of
these little shelters littlelean-tos, set your swag or your
tent up underneath.
That keeps you out of the hotsun during the day.
It also keeps you sheltered atnighttime as well, which is
(06:22):
really fantastic.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
There are fully enclosed huts as well, so they
have a door on them and windows,and so you do have like a basic
little hut as well, and ifthey're readily available empty,
you can snag one.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, so good.
What we did is actually drivethrough the main area, I guess
where the camp kitchen andthere's a little.
If I say store, I use that wordreally loosely, but I believe
this is where the mail for theresidents of Obleton gets
delivered once a week.
You can pick up a soft drink or,if you're lucky, a loaf of
(07:04):
bread little things like thatthere as well.
Well, we kept going through andout into this large area, out
the back, I suppose, over nearwhere the dam is that Paul
mentioned has been put in, andsort of almost right along the
old airstrip that you know.
When you pull it up on maps andyou have a really good look,
(07:24):
you can see the markings out ofthe airstrip there, and that's
where we decided to set up camp.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
And in fact the airstrip is still operational.
If there were to be alife-threatening incident
accident, the RFDS, the RoyalFlying Doctor Service or other
flights can land there ifnecessary.
So don't camp on the actualairstrip, but you can camp right
beside it and the airstripreally takes in what was the
(07:52):
main street back in the day.
This township of Opelton wasestablished in 1894 when an old
timer found that first colour inthe stone and went.
Well, hang on, this is special.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Yeah, and people flocked as they did.
We've heard this story all overthe country with the various
gold rushes and people wantingto make their fortune.
And people flocked out here toOpalton to make their fortune
with what is regarded asprobably the best opal that
(08:30):
you'll find anywhere in theworld.
It certainly supplies, Ibelieve, paul.
It's up there.
Around the 90-something percentof all of the world's opal
comes out of Outback Queenslandhere and in particular this
incredible Queensland boulderopal that can only be found out
(08:51):
here in Outback Queensland, andthey flocked to find it.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Look, when you say flocked to find it, there were
600 locals calling Opalton homeand again locals calling Opelton
home, and again just chasingthat fortune.
The unfortunate thing aboutbeing out here is that the
drought just seemed to never endand although there were hotels,
(09:15):
police stations, saddlery youknow different skill sets and
services in this bustlingtownship, literally within seven
years there were less than 30people.
You know 1902, 30 residents,and that was dwindling.
Well, there's always been aresident out here for 130 years
(09:36):
now that has been continuouslyand continuing to mine for opal.
So quite a remarkable story.
And they believe they've barelyscratched the surface out here.
It is back-breaking work,though the boulder opal is one
of the hardest gemstones thatyou could find on Earth.
(09:59):
So, look, you want to be fit,or use this to get fit if you
were trying to find your fortunethis way.
But it attracts people, tens ofthousands of people every year
to come out here and we justloved our experience.
But the real highlight wasgetting to meet Glenn, who is he
(10:20):
is Opalton, isn't he?
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Yeah, I think so, I think so, I think so.
Look, I didn't ask him how longhe's been out here in Opalton
for, but I'm pretty sure he'sgot Opal and all of that red,
dusty dirt running through hisveins because he looks like he's
been out here a very, very longtime.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
Yes, he has, and he is a true character.
Again, we always say the peoplemake the place and and that is
exactly the scenario that youmet with when you meet Glenn Uh,
he's got quite colorful, uh,expressive stories to share that
are lighthearted and fun andfull of that larrikinism that
(11:05):
you love with these Outbackcharacters.
And he offers a free tag alongevery day.
You've got to be an early riser.
He leaves on the dot at 7 am.
You just pull up in yourvehicle.
Follow him in his beat up oldvehicle, follow him in his beat
up old vehicle.
He actually starts the tour andhe says no-transcript, except
(11:32):
in this case.
You can with me because I amexactly how I look.
I am an old broke miner.
Now let me show you around.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Yes, yes it was fantastic.
Actually, I was surprised atjust how many people were here
on this particular morning.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
They came out of the bush, didn't they, Katie they?
Speaker 2 (11:52):
did?
Where did all of these peoplecome from?
But, nevertheless, there wasquite a number of vehicles and
we went out with Glenn and, look, it was a couple of hours all
up, to be honest, and he took usto a number of different spots.
And what was so great aboutthis tag-long tour with him was
that, you know, he didn't justtake us out and say, okay, here
you go, this is what you do,start Fosking.
(12:13):
He gave us the rundown, hereally explained to us you know
what is it and how has it cometo be here and what does it look
like and what are thedifferences between the opals
that are found out here.
And then, of course, he took usto the secret spots.
(12:35):
You're not going to find theseplaces unless you're on this
tour with Glenn, let me tell you.
And, of course, he's got allthe gear.
So he's got the buckets, he'sgot the spray bottles full of
water, because, of course,unless you wet these rocks down,
they just look like dirty rocks.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
I still don't understand how they even find
any of this stuff.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Yeah, dirty rocks.
I still don't understand howthey even find any of this stuff
.
Yeah, it's not like there'sthis, you know beautiful
colourful gemstone just sittingaround in the ground going here.
I am here.
I am Like everything is brownand red, dusty, dirty, and I
mean from the moment you hop outof the car, no matter what you
touch, you're that colour aswell.
(13:16):
So you do need to be preparedto get your hands dirty.
But look, the kids on the tourabsolutely loved it.
I mean, who doesn't love rocks?
Anyways, we certainly do in ourfamily.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Yeah, definitely.
I have to say there was thisone moment.
I mean he had endless lines andone line and he's just a
character and he says, yeah, youjust got to scrub it and scrub
it and wash it and he goes.
You can sometimes spend an hourwashing the absolute out of it
and still not find anything.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
Yeah, he was very colourful, quite like the Opals
that we were searching for, and,all in all, a fantastic tour
and, as Paul mentioned, free.
Now listen, if you do want tojoin Glenn on one of his tours
out there in Opalton, we wouldthen encourage you to afterwards
go and visit him at his place,because he does make his own
(14:13):
leather goods.
He also has gemstones for sale,so if you don't have any luck
fostering finding your own opal,you certainly can go up there,
and that's a nice way to supporthim in exchange for the free
tour that he offers.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
He does point out, though, that you really, if you
pick any of his items, you'reactually making a donation.
He doesn't actually sellanything.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
No, that's right.
It's one of those unspokenrules of the bush and I'm sure
you'll understand what we'realluding to when you're out here
and you meet Glenn butdefinitely well worth a good
morning spent and then you knowyou're left to your own devices.
Okay, well, I've shown you thesecret spots, so go ahead, make
your fortune.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Yes, if you'd like to buy this particular piece of
opal, here's a recommendeddonation amount that you could
make for it.
I love it.
What a legend.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Yeah, absolutely Look .
All in all, I think the onlydisappointing part of our stay
was that we only had allowedourselves one night to come out
here, and truly, I mean, there'snothing out here, so you're not
coming out for anything inparticular, other than, I guess,
to dig around in the dirt andtry your luck.
But for us, we absolutely lovedthe solitude of this
(15:31):
environment, to be out here,that the starry sky at night was
just incredible, to be able tohave a campfire.
We were, of course, stilltraveling with Ben and Deanne
and their children, the familywho came across the Plenty
Highway with us, so the kids hada fantastic time, you know, to
run free and not be worriedabout disturbing anybody because
(15:53):
, let's face it, there's nobodyelse around, and so we would
recommend to come out for atleast a couple of nights, yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
And look, we get often asked well, why didn't you
just stay another night?
We had already made, I guess,further bookings that included
experiences that book out.
So we kind of had this you knowdraw card to have to leave.
But being able to have a fireout there along the airstrip
(16:23):
with one of the best sunsets andbillions of stars and just
beautiful balmy night in theoutback, there's nothing better.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Yeah, it was absolutely fantastic, absolutely
fantastic.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
Loved every minute of it now I have to say the road
out here had been graded, so oneof the best outback road or
touring roads that we've been on.
Of course that does change onceweather sets in, traffic
increases.
But it was so good, it wassmooth as like.
Like we didn't touch our tyrepressures.
(16:57):
We did still drive to theconditions, in that it is a
gravelly, dirty road and thendusty and then really sandy in
sections.
But look, we probably averaged65 kilometres per hour on this
road, so pretty easy going, andwhen you're going that little
(17:17):
bit slower it it actually makesfor a more enjoyable experience.
It's very unlikely that you'regoing to hit a kangaroo or an
emu at that speed as well.
So yeah, I think slow andsteady, enjoy the scenery of a
lot of nothing yeah, it'sbeautiful in its own right,
though it is definitely.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
Yeah, it was a really enjoyable drive.
And look to head to Longreach.
Unfortunately you can't justcut across down the bottom, and
we believe that there are what'sreferred to as tracks, but
certainly not anything that anyof the locals recommended.
We try and tow the caravan on,so it's back to Winton.
We go, because that is the onlyway to get yourself down to
(18:02):
Longreach, and so all in allit's about a three and a half
hour drive from Opalton backthrough Winton and then down
onto Longreach.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
It is exactly probably 300 kilometres, and
that's right, katie.
Exactly probably 300 kilometres, and that's right, katie.
It takes us about three and ahalf to four hours to travel
that distance, even out onbitumen.
So getting back into Winton anda quick little stop to the
bakery, because that's very good.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
Yeah, pick up some lunch, restock everybody, get
out and do a bit of a stretchand then on the road again.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
And what's great is the road to Longreach.
Look, I won't say it's aterrible road, but it's fairly
bouncy.
Probably need a little morefunding out here guys, Get some
of those roads a little better.
But just yeah, taking it easyon these roads, you all of a
(18:58):
sudden then start to see a lotmore road kill.
So everything from you knowkangaroos to pigs to emus, and
with that brings what they referto as the seagulls of the
outback, which are thefork-tailed kites or ash kites
or whistling kites, but normallyflocks of kites, which are a
beautiful bird of prey to see inmotion.
(19:20):
But they're always looking fora cheap meal or an easy meal,
and so carrion as it's betterknown.
But roadkill is an easy mealfor these birds of prey and
you'll see the odd wedge-tailedeagle.
If you see one, there's alwaystwo.
They generally have theirpartner standing by there as
well.
So, taking it easy.
(19:41):
If you see these birds of prey,once they've locked their talons
onto a bit of row kill, it'svery difficult for them to
release.
It's an instinctual behavior.
So bipping your horn to letthem know that you're coming and
safely, sort of taking a littlewider berth there, can prevent
you actually hitting thesebeautiful animals.
But yeah, the road you'rerunning right along the train
(20:04):
line, so very cool.
Jasper was able to look at abig diesel beside us.
It was.
Probably they were traveling at, say, 80 kilometers now and we
were traveling at 90 kilometersnow.
Probably they were traveling at, say, 80 kilometers now and we
were traveling at 90 kilometersnow.
And he's been, you know.
Put that elbow out and give ita.
Get that reply back from atrain driver.
It's like the best thing ever,isn't it?
Speaker 2 (20:26):
Even for me, I love when they get that booming horn
out, you know, so that's alwaysfun there's something about the
trains out here in these youknow wide, open outback spaces,
because you can see that justthe incredible length of them.
You know you've got the thewhole landscape to showcase
(20:48):
these trains and and it isexciting when you are traveling
almost in parallel to the trainline to have one right there.
We love that.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
So we continued on straight to.
Just probably about fivekilometres west of Longreach
Township is a large truck andrest stopped bay, and then
there's this little side roadand if you follow that this
unsealed road, you come aroundto a fairly new instalment
(21:20):
accommodation option for vannersand it is called Muddy Duck
Great name.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Yeah, muddy Duck Tourist Park I believe it's only
in its second season ofoperation family-owned right on
the banks of the Thompson Riverhere in Longreach, and this is
where we decided to stay.
Now, we've never stayed andplayed in Longreach before, so
(21:47):
we chose this option, justreally basically looking at wiki
camps, and we will talk aboutour stay here at Muddy Duck in
next week's episode.
So we were straight off to doone of many experiences that are
on offer here in Long Ridge.
In fact, we're absolutely blownaway by just how many tourism
(22:10):
experiences there are on offer.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
Yeah, look, we did just drop and roll.
You're right, katie, and theofferings here really mean that
you need three nights at aminimum.
But if you had five nights inLongreach that would give you a
really enjoyable amount of timeto soak up the environment and
(22:34):
the experiences on offer.
We have always bypassed longreach.
Now people say why, when youknow the Stockman's Hall of Fame
is here, the Qantas FoundersMuseum is here, there's paddle
boat experiences, trainexperiences, stagecoach
experiences, dinner and showpackages.
(22:55):
I mean it just keeps going onand on.
And it's because I think bythis point we've come back
through the outback, we've beento Winton and we know that our
families are just there.
You know, in southeastQueensland, let's just get home,
hug it out with thegrandparents.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
You know they want to see Jasper, so we've never
stopped.
It's nothing to do withLongreach or any reviews or
anything.
Now we've stopped.
Oh, we love you, longreach.
Oh, I tell you what.
We will be stopping every timeand telling everyone to stay and
play for as long as you can.
If you can get five nights here, perfect.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Okay.
So first on the agenda for uswas to head to the Qantas
Founders Museum.
And look, you can't miss thisplace.
It's the spot with the massive747 and all of the planes out on
display.
Speaker 1 (23:49):
Now, of course, qantas, Australia's most famous
airline, in fact, one of themost famous airlines in the
world.
It is a story since 1920.
And so a rich history here.
It is not for profit the QantasFounders Museum, it's not
operated by Qantas I think a lotof people might think that but
(24:13):
to have the 747-200 gifted tothe people of Longreach to have
on display here and allow peopleto walk and talk through this
experience.
Now, look, there is, oh, Idon't know six to eight
different experiences that youcan do as bundles and packages.
So you really need to getonline and check out, you know,
their first class bundle, theirbusiness class bundle, their
(24:35):
economy bundle.
I mean they've got it reallywell set up and really well
designed that the website is awonderful experience in itself.
And, look, we very fortunatelygot to be escorted around this
experience by John and Sarah.
John is known as the QantasGuru.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
Oh, and that he is.
His knowledge and his passionfor all things aviation and
Qantas was just infectious, andSarah was the curator of the
museum.
So we were very spoiled inhaving these two incredibly
knowledgeable people to shareour morning with, and we opted
(25:20):
for one of the packages thatincluded the 747 wing walk,
which, you know, when else inyour lifetime do you ever get
the opportunity to stand out onthe wing of a plane?
Speaker 1 (25:35):
But only one of us could do it, because we had
Jasper with us and he's tooyoung.
I think from memory you have tobe 13.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Yes, correct.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
To be able to experience the wing walk, so his
little face looked verydisappointed but, he did get to
sit in the cockpit of the747-200 and be the captain.
Yeah, that's right, get to sitin the cockpit of the 747-200
and be the captain.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
Yeah, that's right.
We started our tour actuallywith an internal tour of the 747
, and that in itself is justincredible I mean, Jasper's
never been on such a huge planeand then to be able to go up to
the cockpit, sit in the pilotseat, get to drive the plane,
fly the plane, drive the plane.
I don't know what you do, butanyway we did it.
(26:17):
We also got to head upstairs tofirst class and see where, once
upon a time, when these planesfirst were launched by Qantas,
upstairs first class was calledthe Captain Cook Lounge and so
beautifully designed.
Back in the day, and to get allof the information from John on
(26:38):
how the plane actually operateswas mind-blowing.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
So interesting.
And you say, katie, hisknowledge base is second to none
exceptional.
Look, Boeing actually had the747-200 with Qantas.
It was the very first aviationcompany to have a Boeing 747.
Qantas did invent businessclass.
Speaker 2 (27:04):
Yes, thank you, qantas.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
Yeah, they've got some pretty good claims to fame.
Obviously, for those who arelistening in other parts of the
world, qantas is an acronym, soit's Q-A-N-T-A-S, so it's
Queensland and NorthernTerritory Air Service.
That's how we get QANTAS theflying kangaroo as it's better
(27:28):
known here in Australia and thento be able to stand in the
engine bay of those massiveRolls-Royce engines and get some
selfies.
That was so awesome.
This plane, in its time beforeit was retired, did service 5
million passengers, so it's doneits case, that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
Yeah, look, just absolutely incredible.
All of it fascinatinginformation for all three of us,
and we all took somethingdifferent away from that
particular part of the tour withJohn.
Speaker 1 (28:02):
Yes, now look, our tour didn't finish there, in
fact.
Look, we were there for fourhours and it felt like the blink
of an eye.
So, as a family experience,even your kids will be engaged.
We were back into the mainFounders Museum.
The initial hall space is asouvenir and cafe section.
(28:23):
Jasper had a little hotchocolate.
Yes, we grabbed a coffee.
The souvenirs are awesome, soI'm sure you'll get suckered
into a little wind-up plane orsomething for yourself.
There's some beautiful art aswell that really shows the
history of Qantas.
And then you walk through whatis a museum space for travelling
(28:43):
exhibits and at the moment theyhave a famous Japanese artist
named Yayoi Kasama showcasingthere, and pretty intriguing.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Yes, it was quite a different exhibit, to be honest,
Really really different.
Arty Katie it was, that's whatI said, arty Arty.
I think the title of the exhibitwas Spirits of the Pumpkins
Descended from the Heavens, sothat'll give you a little idea
as to how different thisexhibition was.
(29:17):
But Jasper absolutely loved it.
Look, it played all sorts ofweird and wonderful tricks with
my head, so I didn't love it asmuch as he did, but certainly
very interesting to meanderthrough there and then you're on
into the main exhibition spacefor the Qantas Museum, and what
is so fantastic about this isthat you could literally spend
(29:40):
hours in this space alone.
There are interactive exhibits.
Jasper was able to jump into anumber of flight simulators and
fly the planes.
There is the beautiful displayof the Captain Cook lounge from
the 747 First Class on display.
There are displays showcasingall of the uniforms of the
(30:04):
Qantas staff, from the verybeginning of Qantas right
through to the modern day.
I mean there is so muchinterpretive signage and
information around the historyof Qantas.
They have done an incrediblejob here to really encapsulate
Australia's airline.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
You are immersed in the storytelling of Qantas and
we just we love this part of theexperience.
There is a wonderfultheaterette with probably a
three to four minute videoshowcasing the timeline and
history birth to its currentbooming business in the airline
(30:47):
industry, through to theoriginal Qantas hangar from 1920
that's been resurrected.
That houses another half adozen planes, really showcasing
the timeline through the historyof Qantas another theatre, so
look to have four hours.
I think would be a perfectamount of time to really soak up
(31:11):
the Qantas story.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
Yeah, look, and what's amazing is that you can
come and go and our ticketincluded coming back that
evening for their new light andsound show that is projected up
onto the planes within theairpark.
This in itself is justincredible and you can just
purchase a ticket to come andsee this separately.
(31:33):
But just again, what they havedone in this space utilising the
planes as the backdrops forthis incredible projected show
was just awesome.
Speaker 1 (31:44):
Look, I'd go as far to say if you only had that 25
minutes 30-minute window forpart of the Qantas experience
booking and come to this lightand projection show, you will be
blown away with how well it hasbeen done.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
Yeah, awesome.
Speaker 1 (32:06):
All in all, just an incredible experience there at
the Qantas Founders Museum isone that was actually given to
me on a card when I first got myjob as the entertainment
director for Australia's Zoo, oh, back in the day Del.
We're talking a long time agonow, back in 2006.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
Oh, when we met Steve Irwin was still alive.
Speaker 1 (32:28):
Love at first sight, and this card was from a
producer that I'd worked with atDisney Channel for a number of
years.
Disney Channel was one of hismain clients, so that's how I
got to work for Disney Channel.
Through the work with him as anassistant producer and amazing
time, he really taught me theropes.
(32:50):
Paul Venables from VenablesCreating Entertainment
incredible company, incrediblementor.
And this card that he gave mesaid just remember, the Wright
brothers didn't have a pilot'slicense.
Speaker 2 (33:05):
Isn't that good.
It's pretty powerful stuff.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
You know, look on the Wright brothers.
I love reading about these guysand I'm sure there'd be a
documentary or a memoir outthere on these guys.
I've got to look at it.
Of course it was Wilbur andOrville Wright.
They did have the very firstpowered flight of a heavier than
air aircraft.
It was December 17th 1903 andthe flight lasted 12 seconds.
Speaker 2 (33:31):
Incredible.
Incredible when you think.
I mean these guys weren't, Imean this wasn't invented before
these guys they invented it.
Speaker 1 (33:39):
What I love is I've always wondered well, were they
both in the plane?
So who got to fly?
They flipped a coin, theytossed a coin and Orville
actually won, so he was thefirst brother in the air.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
That's amazing.
Speaker 1 (33:57):
Very cool, amazing story.
They became very successfulbusinessmen selling their
airplanes.
Some tragedy in there as wellfor them, but very interesting
story.
If you get a chance to readthat, all right, let's move on.
Next week we finish up our timein Longreach with a very unique
experience.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
Oh yes, it doesn't get much more Aussie Outback
than this.
Speaker 1 (34:20):
And a pub visit where Jasper absolutely shines.
Speaker 2 (34:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (34:24):
I think you're going to love it.
We can't wait to see you nextweek.
For now, we'll say dream big,look after yourself and look
after your family.
And happy trails.
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Speaker 2 (00:23):
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Forward slash gear.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Welcome to Season 9, Episode 5 of the Family Travel
Australia podcast.
We are Paul, Katie and Jasperfrom the Feel Good Family.
Join us as we explore thisgreat country, Australia, its
people, places and cultures.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Yes, welcome to the Family Travel Podcast, where we
share the latest in RV industrynews road trip travel,
caravanning and camping, productreviews, where to go, what to
do, and so much more.
Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
This week we find the real Opal Hunter and we make
tracks to Long Reach for abucket list experience in
Outback Queensland.
Gee, we love being in theOutback.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Oh, we sure do, and there is nothing better than
discovering places you've neverbeen before.
I love it out here and to beable to finally get out to not
only Opalton, but also to stopand stay in Longreach.
These are two places that havebeen high on our list for a very
long time.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Yeah, that's right Back four years ago when little
Jasperoo was only four.
In fact, we celebrated hisfourth birthday in Winton, as we
mentioned, and now getting tocelebrate his eighth birthday.
We did make the track actuallyout to Opelton without our van
on.
We were in our Toyota Hilux.
We got about halfway out there,which it's only 121 kilometres
(02:04):
from Winton to Opalton.
That takes easily two hoursbecause of the road conditions.
I mean, there's no bitumen,there's no, nothing baby.
It really is barren land for themajority of the journey out
here and the road really doesdiffer in its terrain, sometimes
really sandy, sometimes redearth, sometimes limestone.
(02:25):
It's really interesting.
Not very hilly, fairly flat, sofairly easy in that sense.
But we got about halfway outand the sky was that incredible
outback purple colour, when youknow it is building to epic
proportion storm rain.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Yes, we pulled up in the middle of the road.
There was nobody else coming.
We're like do we Don't?
We?
Do we push on and just hopethat it passes over, or do we
make the call now and cut ourlosses and turn around and go
back to Winton?
Speaker 1 (03:00):
You know, it's kind of like how far can you walk
into a forest?
Yes, Well, we got halfway.
So it sort of of like how farcan you walk into a forest?
Yes, you know, well, we gothalfway.
So it sort of felt like beingripped off here.
But we did, we turned around.
We were a little nervousprobably more nervous back then
Very unknown you know all thegear and no idea.
And so we headed back intoWinton and we caught up with our
(03:22):
good mate Taranto, the OpalMiner, and he said, gee, you're
lucky, you turned around.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Oh yes, you guys, you could have been out there for
weeks.
Stuck out there when it rains,nobody goes anywhere, and we.
It was a big sigh of reliefthere, that's for sure, because
we certainly weren't set up orprepared to spend a few weeks in
our vehicle back then were we?
Speaker 1 (03:45):
No, exactly Now.
The weather out there currentlyis 35 degrees during the day
and not a drop of rain in sightfor probably a fairly long time,
and so we knew that we had thisincredible window to be able to
even tow the van out there.
I mean, having the off-roadvehicles now just makes all the
difference.
And so we did.
(04:05):
We headed out two hours.
We filled our tanks up withwater.
Water is pretty wellnon-existent out there, although
the council has put in amassive dam for the I don't know
, it varies between eight andmaybe 18 people the locals but
they do have a water supply now,which is really wonderful.
(04:27):
It means that they can stay andplay and try and strike their
fortune for longer periods oftime.
And we got out there and foundthe Opalton Bush Camp.
It is the one and only optionfor your camping needs, for your
journey out to Opalton.
At $2.50 per person per night,I think this would have to be
(04:56):
the cheapest, low-costcampground for what you get that
we have ever found or stayed at, loved it.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Absolutely awesome.
I mean, of course, there's nopower or water hookups.
You do need to be who needs it.
Well, that's right out here.
When you've got that sunshining all day long, certainly
don't have any issues withloading up the batteries with
all of that beautiful solarpower.
But they do have amenities.
You can have yourself a nicehot shower in their bathrooms
(05:21):
there.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
They're donkey boiler showers and we've spoken about
the donkey boiler in pastepisodes.
But basically, load up the wood, light it up, come back in 45
minutes and hot water at yourfingertips.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Yeah, awesome, brilliant.
There's a little camp kitchen,shelter area and there's a
number of other little shelteredareas that are scattered
throughout the grounds of thebush camping area.
And look, let's be honest, itkind of you know how do you know
where the boundary of the bushcaravan park is?
(05:59):
It sort of just stretches onforever, you don't.
Yeah that's right and that'swhat's part of the appeal.
But there are little sheltersthere, so if you were coming out
, say, without a vehicle in tow,you could pull up to one of
these little shelters littlelean-tos, set your swag or your
tent up underneath.
That keeps you out of the hotsun during the day.
It also keeps you sheltered atnighttime as well, which is
(06:22):
really fantastic.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
There are fully enclosed huts as well, so they
have a door on them and windows,and so you do have like a basic
little hut as well, and ifthey're readily available empty,
you can snag one.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, so good.
What we did is actually drivethrough the main area, I guess
where the camp kitchen andthere's a little.
If I say store, I use that wordreally loosely, but I believe
this is where the mail for theresidents of Obleton gets
delivered once a week.
You can pick up a soft drink or,if you're lucky, a loaf of
(07:04):
bread little things like thatthere as well.
Well, we kept going through andout into this large area, out
the back, I suppose, over nearwhere the dam is that Paul
mentioned has been put in, andsort of almost right along the
old airstrip that you know.
When you pull it up on maps andyou have a really good look,
(07:24):
you can see the markings out ofthe airstrip there, and that's
where we decided to set up camp.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
And in fact the airstrip is still operational.
If there were to be alife-threatening incident
accident, the RFDS, the RoyalFlying Doctor Service or other
flights can land there ifnecessary.
So don't camp on the actualairstrip, but you can camp right
beside it and the airstripreally takes in what was the
(07:52):
main street back in the day.
This township of Opelton wasestablished in 1894 when an old
timer found that first colour inthe stone and went.
Well, hang on, this is special.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Yeah, and people flocked as they did.
We've heard this story all overthe country with the various
gold rushes and people wantingto make their fortune.
And people flocked out here toOpalton to make their fortune
with what is regarded asprobably the best opal that
(08:30):
you'll find anywhere in theworld.
It certainly supplies, Ibelieve, paul.
It's up there.
Around the 90-something percentof all of the world's opal
comes out of Outback Queenslandhere and in particular this
incredible Queensland boulderopal that can only be found out
(08:51):
here in Outback Queensland, andthey flocked to find it.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Look, when you say flocked to find it, there were
600 locals calling Opalton homeand again locals calling Opelton
home, and again just chasingthat fortune.
The unfortunate thing aboutbeing out here is that the
drought just seemed to never endand although there were hotels,
(09:15):
police stations, saddlery youknow different skill sets and
services in this bustlingtownship, literally within seven
years there were less than 30people.
You know 1902, 30 residents,and that was dwindling.
Well, there's always been aresident out here for 130 years
(09:36):
now that has been continuouslyand continuing to mine for opal.
So quite a remarkable story.
And they believe they've barelyscratched the surface out here.
It is back-breaking work,though the boulder opal is one
of the hardest gemstones thatyou could find on Earth.
(09:59):
So, look, you want to be fit,or use this to get fit if you
were trying to find your fortunethis way.
But it attracts people, tens ofthousands of people every year
to come out here and we justloved our experience.
But the real highlight wasgetting to meet Glenn, who is he
(10:20):
is Opalton, isn't he?
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Yeah, I think so, I think so, I think so.
Look, I didn't ask him how longhe's been out here in Opalton
for, but I'm pretty sure he'sgot Opal and all of that red,
dusty dirt running through hisveins because he looks like he's
been out here a very, very longtime.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
Yes, he has, and he is a true character.
Again, we always say the peoplemake the place and and that is
exactly the scenario that youmet with when you meet Glenn Uh,
he's got quite colorful, uh,expressive stories to share that
are lighthearted and fun andfull of that larrikinism that
(11:05):
you love with these Outbackcharacters.
And he offers a free tag alongevery day.
You've got to be an early riser.
He leaves on the dot at 7 am.
You just pull up in yourvehicle.
Follow him in his beat up oldvehicle, follow him in his beat
up old vehicle.
He actually starts the tour andhe says no-transcript, except
(11:32):
in this case.
You can with me because I amexactly how I look.
I am an old broke miner.
Now let me show you around.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Yes, yes it was fantastic.
Actually, I was surprised atjust how many people were here
on this particular morning.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
They came out of the bush, didn't they, Katie they?
Speaker 2 (11:52):
did?
Where did all of these peoplecome from?
But, nevertheless, there wasquite a number of vehicles and
we went out with Glenn and, look, it was a couple of hours all
up, to be honest, and he took usto a number of different spots.
And what was so great aboutthis tag-long tour with him was
that, you know, he didn't justtake us out and say, okay, here
you go, this is what you do,start Fosking.
(12:13):
He gave us the rundown, hereally explained to us you know
what is it and how has it cometo be here and what does it look
like and what are thedifferences between the opals
that are found out here.
And then, of course, he took usto the secret spots.
(12:35):
You're not going to find theseplaces unless you're on this
tour with Glenn, let me tell you.
And, of course, he's got allthe gear.
So he's got the buckets, he'sgot the spray bottles full of
water, because, of course,unless you wet these rocks down,
they just look like dirty rocks.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
I still don't understand how they even find
any of this stuff.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Yeah, dirty rocks.
I still don't understand howthey even find any of this stuff
.
Yeah, it's not like there'sthis, you know beautiful
colourful gemstone just sittingaround in the ground going here.
I am here.
I am Like everything is brownand red, dusty, dirty, and I
mean from the moment you hop outof the car, no matter what you
touch, you're that colour aswell.
(13:16):
So you do need to be preparedto get your hands dirty.
But look, the kids on the tourabsolutely loved it.
I mean, who doesn't love rocks?
Anyways, we certainly do in ourfamily.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Yeah, definitely.
I have to say there was thisone moment.
I mean he had endless lines andone line and he's just a
character and he says, yeah, youjust got to scrub it and scrub
it and wash it and he goes.
You can sometimes spend an hourwashing the absolute out of it
and still not find anything.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
Yeah, he was very colourful, quite like the Opals
that we were searching for, and,all in all, a fantastic tour
and, as Paul mentioned, free.
Now listen, if you do want tojoin Glenn on one of his tours
out there in Opalton, we wouldthen encourage you to afterwards
go and visit him at his place,because he does make his own
(14:13):
leather goods.
He also has gemstones for sale,so if you don't have any luck
fostering finding your own opal,you certainly can go up there,
and that's a nice way to supporthim in exchange for the free
tour that he offers.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
He does point out, though, that you really, if you
pick any of his items, you'reactually making a donation.
He doesn't actually sellanything.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
No, that's right.
It's one of those unspokenrules of the bush and I'm sure
you'll understand what we'realluding to when you're out here
and you meet Glenn butdefinitely well worth a good
morning spent and then you knowyou're left to your own devices.
Okay, well, I've shown you thesecret spots, so go ahead, make
your fortune.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Yes, if you'd like to buy this particular piece of
opal, here's a recommendeddonation amount that you could
make for it.
I love it.
What a legend.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Yeah, absolutely Look .
All in all, I think the onlydisappointing part of our stay
was that we only had allowedourselves one night to come out
here, and truly, I mean, there'snothing out here, so you're not
coming out for anything inparticular, other than, I guess,
to dig around in the dirt andtry your luck.
But for us, we absolutely lovedthe solitude of this
(15:31):
environment, to be out here,that the starry sky at night was
just incredible, to be able tohave a campfire.
We were, of course, stilltraveling with Ben and Deanne
and their children, the familywho came across the Plenty
Highway with us, so the kids hada fantastic time, you know, to
run free and not be worriedabout disturbing anybody because
(15:53):
, let's face it, there's nobodyelse around, and so we would
recommend to come out for atleast a couple of nights, yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
And look, we get often asked well, why didn't you
just stay another night?
We had already made, I guess,further bookings that included
experiences that book out.
So we kind of had this you knowdraw card to have to leave.
But being able to have a fireout there along the airstrip
(16:23):
with one of the best sunsets andbillions of stars and just
beautiful balmy night in theoutback, there's nothing better.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Yeah, it was absolutely fantastic, absolutely
fantastic.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
Loved every minute of it now I have to say the road
out here had been graded, so oneof the best outback road or
touring roads that we've been on.
Of course that does change onceweather sets in, traffic
increases.
But it was so good, it wassmooth as like.
Like we didn't touch our tyrepressures.
(16:57):
We did still drive to theconditions, in that it is a
gravelly, dirty road and thendusty and then really sandy in
sections.
But look, we probably averaged65 kilometres per hour on this
road, so pretty easy going, andwhen you're going that little
(17:17):
bit slower it it actually makesfor a more enjoyable experience.
It's very unlikely that you'regoing to hit a kangaroo or an
emu at that speed as well.
So yeah, I think slow andsteady, enjoy the scenery of a
lot of nothing yeah, it'sbeautiful in its own right,
though it is definitely.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
Yeah, it was a really enjoyable drive.
And look to head to Longreach.
Unfortunately you can't justcut across down the bottom, and
we believe that there are what'sreferred to as tracks, but
certainly not anything that anyof the locals recommended.
We try and tow the caravan on,so it's back to Winton.
We go, because that is the onlyway to get yourself down to
(18:02):
Longreach, and so all in allit's about a three and a half
hour drive from Opalton backthrough Winton and then down
onto Longreach.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
It is exactly probably 300 kilometres, and
that's right, katie.
Exactly probably 300 kilometres, and that's right, katie.
It takes us about three and ahalf to four hours to travel
that distance, even out onbitumen.
So getting back into Winton anda quick little stop to the
bakery, because that's very good.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
Yeah, pick up some lunch, restock everybody, get
out and do a bit of a stretchand then on the road again.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
And what's great is the road to Longreach.
Look, I won't say it's aterrible road, but it's fairly
bouncy.
Probably need a little morefunding out here guys, Get some
of those roads a little better.
But just yeah, taking it easyon these roads, you all of a
(18:58):
sudden then start to see a lotmore road kill.
So everything from you knowkangaroos to pigs to emus, and
with that brings what they referto as the seagulls of the
outback, which are thefork-tailed kites or ash kites
or whistling kites, but normallyflocks of kites, which are a
beautiful bird of prey to see inmotion.
(19:20):
But they're always looking fora cheap meal or an easy meal,
and so carrion as it's betterknown.
But roadkill is an easy mealfor these birds of prey and
you'll see the odd wedge-tailedeagle.
If you see one, there's alwaystwo.
They generally have theirpartner standing by there as
well.
So, taking it easy.
(19:41):
If you see these birds of prey,once they've locked their talons
onto a bit of row kill, it'svery difficult for them to
release.
It's an instinctual behavior.
So bipping your horn to letthem know that you're coming and
safely, sort of taking a littlewider berth there, can prevent
you actually hitting thesebeautiful animals.
But yeah, the road you'rerunning right along the train
(20:04):
line, so very cool.
Jasper was able to look at abig diesel beside us.
It was.
Probably they were traveling at, say, 80 kilometers now and we
were traveling at 90 kilometersnow.
Probably they were traveling at, say, 80 kilometers now and we
were traveling at 90 kilometersnow.
And he's been, you know.
Put that elbow out and give ita.
Get that reply back from atrain driver.
It's like the best thing ever,isn't it?
Speaker 2 (20:26):
Even for me, I love when they get that booming horn
out, you know, so that's alwaysfun there's something about the
trains out here in these youknow wide, open outback spaces,
because you can see that justthe incredible length of them.
You know you've got the thewhole landscape to showcase
(20:48):
these trains and and it isexciting when you are traveling
almost in parallel to the trainline to have one right there.
We love that.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
So we continued on straight to.
Just probably about fivekilometres west of Longreach
Township is a large truck andrest stopped bay, and then
there's this little side roadand if you follow that this
unsealed road, you come aroundto a fairly new instalment
(21:20):
accommodation option for vannersand it is called Muddy Duck
Great name.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Yeah, muddy Duck Tourist Park I believe it's only
in its second season ofoperation family-owned right on
the banks of the Thompson Riverhere in Longreach, and this is
where we decided to stay.
Now, we've never stayed andplayed in Longreach before, so
(21:47):
we chose this option, justreally basically looking at wiki
camps, and we will talk aboutour stay here at Muddy Duck in
next week's episode.
So we were straight off to doone of many experiences that are
on offer here in Long Ridge.
In fact, we're absolutely blownaway by just how many tourism
(22:10):
experiences there are on offer.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
Yeah, look, we did just drop and roll.
You're right, katie, and theofferings here really mean that
you need three nights at aminimum.
But if you had five nights inLongreach that would give you a
really enjoyable amount of timeto soak up the environment and
(22:34):
the experiences on offer.
We have always bypassed longreach.
Now people say why, when youknow the Stockman's Hall of Fame
is here, the Qantas FoundersMuseum is here, there's paddle
boat experiences, trainexperiences, stagecoach
experiences, dinner and showpackages.
(22:55):
I mean it just keeps going onand on.
And it's because I think bythis point we've come back
through the outback, we've beento Winton and we know that our
families are just there.
You know, in southeastQueensland, let's just get home,
hug it out with thegrandparents.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
You know they want to see Jasper, so we've never
stopped.
It's nothing to do withLongreach or any reviews or
anything.
Now we've stopped.
Oh, we love you, longreach.
Oh, I tell you what.
We will be stopping every timeand telling everyone to stay and
play for as long as you can.
If you can get five nights here, perfect.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Okay.
So first on the agenda for uswas to head to the Qantas
Founders Museum.
And look, you can't miss thisplace.
It's the spot with the massive747 and all of the planes out on
display.
Speaker 1 (23:49):
Now, of course, qantas, Australia's most famous
airline, in fact, one of themost famous airlines in the
world.
It is a story since 1920.
And so a rich history here.
It is not for profit the QantasFounders Museum, it's not
operated by Qantas I think a lotof people might think that but
(24:13):
to have the 747-200 gifted tothe people of Longreach to have
on display here and allow peopleto walk and talk through this
experience.
Now, look, there is, oh, Idon't know six to eight
different experiences that youcan do as bundles and packages.
So you really need to getonline and check out, you know,
their first class bundle, theirbusiness class bundle, their
(24:35):
economy bundle.
I mean they've got it reallywell set up and really well
designed that the website is awonderful experience in itself.
And, look, we very fortunatelygot to be escorted around this
experience by John and Sarah.
John is known as the QantasGuru.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
Oh, and that he is.
His knowledge and his passionfor all things aviation and
Qantas was just infectious, andSarah was the curator of the
museum.
So we were very spoiled inhaving these two incredibly
knowledgeable people to shareour morning with, and we opted
(25:20):
for one of the packages thatincluded the 747 wing walk,
which, you know, when else inyour lifetime do you ever get
the opportunity to stand out onthe wing of a plane?
Speaker 1 (25:35):
But only one of us could do it, because we had
Jasper with us and he's tooyoung.
I think from memory you have tobe 13.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Yes, correct.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
To be able to experience the wing walk, so his
little face looked verydisappointed but, he did get to
sit in the cockpit of the747-200 and be the captain.
Yeah, that's right, get to sitin the cockpit of the 747-200
and be the captain.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
Yeah, that's right.
We started our tour actuallywith an internal tour of the 747
, and that in itself is justincredible I mean, Jasper's
never been on such a huge planeand then to be able to go up to
the cockpit, sit in the pilotseat, get to drive the plane,
fly the plane, drive the plane.
I don't know what you do, butanyway we did it.
(26:17):
We also got to head upstairs tofirst class and see where, once
upon a time, when these planesfirst were launched by Qantas,
upstairs first class was calledthe Captain Cook Lounge and so
beautifully designed.
Back in the day, and to get allof the information from John on
(26:38):
how the plane actually operateswas mind-blowing.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
So interesting.
And you say, katie, hisknowledge base is second to none
exceptional.
Look, Boeing actually had the747-200 with Qantas.
It was the very first aviationcompany to have a Boeing 747.
Qantas did invent businessclass.
Speaker 2 (27:04):
Yes, thank you, qantas.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
Yeah, they've got some pretty good claims to fame.
Obviously, for those who arelistening in other parts of the
world, qantas is an acronym, soit's Q-A-N-T-A-S, so it's
Queensland and NorthernTerritory Air Service.
That's how we get QANTAS theflying kangaroo as it's better
(27:28):
known here in Australia and thento be able to stand in the
engine bay of those massiveRolls-Royce engines and get some
selfies.
That was so awesome.
This plane, in its time beforeit was retired, did service 5
million passengers, so it's doneits case, that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
Yeah, look, just absolutely incredible.
All of it fascinatinginformation for all three of us,
and we all took somethingdifferent away from that
particular part of the tour withJohn.
Speaker 1 (28:02):
Yes, now look, our tour didn't finish there, in
fact.
Look, we were there for fourhours and it felt like the blink
of an eye.
So, as a family experience,even your kids will be engaged.
We were back into the mainFounders Museum.
The initial hall space is asouvenir and cafe section.
(28:23):
Jasper had a little hotchocolate.
Yes, we grabbed a coffee.
The souvenirs are awesome, soI'm sure you'll get suckered
into a little wind-up plane orsomething for yourself.
There's some beautiful art aswell that really shows the
history of Qantas.
And then you walk through whatis a museum space for travelling
(28:43):
exhibits and at the moment theyhave a famous Japanese artist
named Yayoi Kasama showcasingthere, and pretty intriguing.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Yes, it was quite a different exhibit, to be honest,
Really really different.
Arty Katie it was, that's whatI said, arty Arty.
I think the title of the exhibitwas Spirits of the Pumpkins
Descended from the Heavens, sothat'll give you a little idea
as to how different thisexhibition was.
(29:17):
But Jasper absolutely loved it.
Look, it played all sorts ofweird and wonderful tricks with
my head, so I didn't love it asmuch as he did, but certainly
very interesting to meanderthrough there and then you're on
into the main exhibition spacefor the Qantas Museum, and what
is so fantastic about this isthat you could literally spend
(29:40):
hours in this space alone.
There are interactive exhibits.
Jasper was able to jump into anumber of flight simulators and
fly the planes.
There is the beautiful displayof the Captain Cook lounge from
the 747 First Class on display.
There are displays showcasingall of the uniforms of the
(30:04):
Qantas staff, from the verybeginning of Qantas right
through to the modern day.
I mean there is so muchinterpretive signage and
information around the historyof Qantas.
They have done an incrediblejob here to really encapsulate
Australia's airline.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
You are immersed in the storytelling of Qantas and
we just we love this part of theexperience.
There is a wonderfultheaterette with probably a
three to four minute videoshowcasing the timeline and
history birth to its currentbooming business in the airline
(30:47):
industry, through to theoriginal Qantas hangar from 1920
that's been resurrected.
That houses another half adozen planes, really showcasing
the timeline through the historyof Qantas another theatre, so
look to have four hours.
I think would be a perfectamount of time to really soak up
(31:11):
the Qantas story.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
Yeah, look, and what's amazing is that you can
come and go and our ticketincluded coming back that
evening for their new light andsound show that is projected up
onto the planes within theairpark.
This in itself is justincredible and you can just
purchase a ticket to come andsee this separately.
(31:33):
But just again, what they havedone in this space utilising the
planes as the backdrops forthis incredible projected show
was just awesome.
Speaker 1 (31:44):
Look, I'd go as far to say if you only had that 25
minutes 30-minute window forpart of the Qantas experience
booking and come to this lightand projection show, you will be
blown away with how well it hasbeen done.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
Yeah, awesome.
Speaker 1 (32:06):
All in all, just an incredible experience there at
the Qantas Founders Museum isone that was actually given to
me on a card when I first got myjob as the entertainment
director for Australia's Zoo, oh, back in the day Del.
We're talking a long time agonow, back in 2006.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
Oh, when we met Steve Irwin was still alive.
Speaker 1 (32:28):
Love at first sight, and this card was from a
producer that I'd worked with atDisney Channel for a number of
years.
Disney Channel was one of hismain clients, so that's how I
got to work for Disney Channel.
Through the work with him as anassistant producer and amazing
time, he really taught me theropes.
(32:50):
Paul Venables from VenablesCreating Entertainment
incredible company, incrediblementor.
And this card that he gave mesaid just remember, the Wright
brothers didn't have a pilot'slicense.
Speaker 2 (33:05):
Isn't that good.
It's pretty powerful stuff.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
You know, look on the Wright brothers.
I love reading about these guysand I'm sure there'd be a
documentary or a memoir outthere on these guys.
I've got to look at it.
Of course it was Wilbur andOrville Wright.
They did have the very firstpowered flight of a heavier than
air aircraft.
It was December 17th 1903 andthe flight lasted 12 seconds.
Speaker 2 (33:31):
Incredible.
Incredible when you think.
I mean these guys weren't, Imean this wasn't invented before
these guys they invented it.
Speaker 1 (33:39):
What I love is I've always wondered well, were they
both in the plane?
So who got to fly?
They flipped a coin, theytossed a coin and Orville
actually won, so he was thefirst brother in the air.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
That's amazing.
Speaker 1 (33:57):
Very cool, amazing story.
They became very successfulbusinessmen selling their
airplanes.
Some tragedy in there as wellfor them, but very interesting
story.
If you get a chance to readthat, all right, let's move on.
Next week we finish up our timein Longreach with a very unique
experience.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
Oh yes, it doesn't get much more Aussie Outback
than this.
Speaker 1 (34:20):
And a pub visit where Jasper absolutely shines.
Speaker 2 (34:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (34:24):
I think you're going to love it.
We can't wait to see you nextweek.
For now, we'll say dream big,look after yourself and look
after your family.
And happy trails.
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