If someone from 1922 wandered down to the far end of Eagle Street, much of what they could see today would be familiar.
The Kinnon family, founders and owners of Outback Pioneers, are gradually restoring and reimagining the area to create a place where heritage still lives and visitors can experience the pioneer story for themselves.
“Marisse and I always wanted to create something that’s different for Longreach,” Richard Kinnon said.
Two heritage buildings under traditional covered walkways are the focal point of the precinct, which takes visitors back to a time when the Cobb & Co stagecoach pulled in with weary travellers six times a week.
“Hosting tourists is not only about activities. It’s about setting the scene for our guests with everything we do – where they stay, where they eat, the sights and sounds…”
Welcome to the pioneer past
The first stop for today’s visitors who want to live the outback pioneering story is The Welcome Home at 128 Eagle Street. The Kinnons restored the ground floor and exterior of this old hotel in 2016 to create the hub of Outback Pioneers operations with a booking office, restaurant, and visitor welcoming centre.
Step inside and you’re already getting the feel of the grand old building in its heyday with its lovely staircase and panelled rooms. Maybe you’ll book your stagecoach journey here or collect your room keys for your stay at The Staging Post accommodation.
Dream pioneer dreams
The Staging Post accommodation is located behind The Welcome Home and across the street, and has its own stories to tell. However you’ve arrived in Longreach, when you settle into your room, you’ll be as pleased to see a comfortable bed as the pioneer stagecoach travellers were. And there’s much to give you the feeling you’re actually walking in their shoes.
The two room types – The Stables and The Coach Inn – give you different perspectives on how life was around a stagecoach destination, where a fresh horse team and driver would await, and a wide range of people would gather to stay before their next day’s journey.
The Stables rooms cleverly combine contemporary boutique comfort with pioneer style, capturing what it was like to stay here when you washed with a jug and basin, ironed your clothes on a board covered with a blanket, and when everything around you was re-used and re-purposed out of necessity.
The Kinnon family have lovingly recreated the feeling of the pioneer past in The Stables rooms, with heritage-style accommodation. From the enamel washing bowl to the old-fashioned timber ironing board. Even your bed linen is fashioned from classic ticking fabric!
All of the contemporary comforts like ensuite, TV, air-conditioning and WiFi are here too. They’re just cleverly concealed or reimagined so they don’t disrupt the experience.
Wake up to the sounds of the past!
If you are lying in bed late or gathering for the morning’s stagecoach departure, you might hear the town crier proclaiming the day’s news. He was a regular when most people were illiterate and the news travelled slowly.
Better hurry if you’re booked on today’s stagecoach, it will be leaving soon from the courtyard behind The Station Store.
All aboard for the Cobb & Co
Today’s travellers can experience what it was like to set off from Longreach to Windorah, along the historic mail route used so many years ago. In the Cobb & Co courtyard, you’ll see your ride for the day – a classic Cobb & Co stagecoach, along with a team of five horses and a driver to pull you along. The horses have been groomed and readied for the day’s journey.
Climb aboard the stagecoach! There are multiple seating options for your journey, including original leather seats on the interior and wooden seats on top, either beside the driver in the front or with an incredible view from the back of the coach. Don’t worry; for those who need it, a portable step is provided to reach your seat. It’s recommended to wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little dusty if you sit up top, as you’ll be galloping along the dusty mail route!
The horses trot out of the yard, a slow pace to start while you’re still in town, and you’re on your way! Leaving the main street of Longreach, you’ll turn onto the Longreach-Windorah route, used to deliver mail all those years ago. The horses will keep at a nice pace, before galloping to “outrun the storm!” and then returning to town for the rest of your day of Outback Pioneers experiences.
Our Heritage Heart
Whether you come by car, 4WD, plane or train, welcome to the Heritage Heart of Longreach, where your days and nights are entwined with history and experiences from another era!
It’s called the ‘heritage heart’ not just because it’s the centre of heritage and pioneer discovery, but because it’s where you’ll find the pioneering heart and spirit that still lives in the outback. Resilience, ingenuity, creativity, real hospitality and a sense of humour are all part of the tradition.
“This is the way to experience the outback through a local’s eyes. The legacy of the pioneers is still very much in our blood here. We invite guests to immerse themselves in a different time and place, and to be inspired by our outback cultural traditions and way of life” – Richard Kinnon.