One of the real highlights of staying here is having the park’s own Woolshed Bar & Grill right on site. Open seasonally, it’s the kind of place where evenings naturally unfold. Pull up a chair, order a steak, smoked ribs or a hearty country classic, and settle in as the sky changes colour. With cold beers, wine on hand and genuine Longreach hospitality, it’s an easy, relaxed way to spend an evening without needing to head into town.

When you do feel like exploring further, Longreach has a handful of excellent local favourites worth seeking out.

For breakfast or brunch, Kynda Café and Boutique was our favourite stop. Coffee here is consistently excellent, and the menu strikes a nice balance between classic bakery items and lighter, healthier options. You’ll find muffins, croissants and toasted focaccias alongside standout acai bowls. We went for one topped with peanut butter, coconut, banana and berries, which was fresh, filling and exactly what we needed before a day of exploring.

For lunch, do as the locals do and head to Merino Bakery. This is a proper country bakery and a Longreach institution. The pie warmer is always worth a look if you’re after something savoury, but don’t skip the sweets cabinet. Grab yourself a cream filled ‘Peach Blossom’ cake and thank us later.

A visit to the Qantas Founders Museum is an absolute must. This world-class museum tells the story of Australia’s national airline and its deep connection to the outback. Walking through historic aircraft, learning about early aviation pioneers and standing beneath the wings of jumbo jets in the desert is surprisingly powerful, even if you’re not an aviation buff.

Just down the road, the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame brings the spirit of the bush to life. This is where you really start to understand the people, animals and stories that shaped outback Australia. From live shows and cinematic presentations to interactive exhibits and heritage displays, it’s engaging, moving and well worth taking your time with.

To round out your stay, book a Thomson River Cruise with Outback Pioneers, a local tour operator. The sunset cruise and bush dinner experience is a Longreach classic and for good reason. As the boat glides along the river, you’ll watch the colours of the outback sky shift while enjoying stories and local insight from the crew.

Longreach is a place where the big attractions can sell out, especially during peak season. Get the most out of their stay by locking in key experiences early, then relax and enjoy the slower pace once you arrive.