In Longreach, a town which was planned by a French Surveyor with streets named after birds. Loved the advert for the Birdcage Motel on the corner of Duck St and Galah St. This is our slab hut at Saltbush Retreat.

Off to the Qantas Founders Museum. Three enterprising young men realising the need for air services to connect people in the outback. QANTAS stands for Queensland and Northern Territories Aerial Services. The stories are beautifully told, the risks in those days immense. Oral recorded history from those who knew them brought it home. In a massive outdoor covered area the DC3, the Connie, 707 and 747. Michael Jackson and John Travolta loved the 707s. We sat in the cockpits and walked on the wing of the 747.

At the the back of our slab hut a group of Kangaroos – and a suckling joey. Some open air baths with hot artesian water.A few brolgas at the caravan park and native turtles in the river.

Electricity was brought to Longreach in 1924. Best bit is that on the nights of the full moon they would turn the generators off as they reckoned there was enough moonlight for the citizens to manage. We managed on a moonlight cruise of the Thomson River – and then listening to the lovely Corinne Ballard at Smithy’s. Country gal, single mother of five, wearing her new boots and singing ballads. Her spirit and her voice both remarkable. The loos worth a look in.