How to stay cool in Longreach!
Longreach is a town in Central West Queensland and being the outback, it's going to get hot during the day! So here's a few tips on how you can stay cool in Longreach!
Take a cruise on the Thomson River – take in the natural beauty Mother Nature has to offer. There are a couple of options you can take;
Board the Longreach Explorer for the Drover's Sunset Cruise, where you'll listen to stories about the river itself, its wildlife and the indigenous links! You'll stop at Sunset Bend to toast the spectacular outback sunset (drinks can be purchased from the licensed bar). Then, as you dock and the night sky starts to form you'll get to relax under the starts and be treated with table-service dining that will feature a camp-oven themed modern cuisine.
Alternatively, you can board the paddle wheeler west of the Great Divide and enjoy the Starlight’s Cruise Experience. Cruise the Thomson at a gentle pace and then head to shore for a traditional stockman's camp-fire dinner. After dinner you will be treated to some bush poetry with a local outback storyteller! The bush then comes to life with the Starlight's Spectacular Sound and Light Show!
For the nature lovers there are plenty of National Parks on offer around the Longreach region. Pack your camping gear and go on a 4WD adventure! Many of the parks offer a plethora of activities for you to do and you can enjoy almost every outback experience you can think of. Channel your inner jolly swagman and camp by a river or billabong and swim, fish and canoe to your hearts content. Why, you could even perch yourself under the shade Coolabah tree and read... occasionally wandering down to the water to dip your toes in!
Jump back in the 4WD (for your air-conditioned comfort of course) and take to the rugged and rocky terrain! For those more fitness inclined, don on your trainers and take one of the many walking or biking tracks...you'll come across waterholes which will surely offer some refuge to recharge your batteries.
You can always head to the Longreach Aquatic Centre – the Centre includes a canteen, a 50 metre pool, playground and kids waterpark...there is also a heated 25 metre pool. Who doesn't love an aquatic centre – keeps the kids entertained and you get to sit back and relax (whilst keeping a watchful on on the kids of course). There are also aqua aerobics and aqua bike classes for those inclined to keep up with your fitness (or perhaps want to work off those yummy dinners you'll be eating during your stay in town). Spend the day there or as a refreshing break in between taking in all the Museums and local sights.
Even though it's the Outback, there's no need to swelter in the heat... Longreach is the perfect mix of country life and modern creature comforts with a few spectacular options Mother Nature kindly lets us experience.