Introduction
Longreach is the birthplace of the Queensland And Northern Territories Air Services Ltd., otherwise better known by its acronym QANTAS. Australia’s flag carrier with its distinctive logo and the flying kangaroo is the third oldest airline in the world to operate continuously under the same name. The two even older airlines are KLM and Avianca, respectively. The Founders Museum in Longreach traces the history of the airline with an exhibition of aircraft that formerly flew for QANTAS, which seems like a perfectly good reason for me to visit.
Location
The Saltbush retreat is located on the outskirts of the town of Longreach, just across the road from the Founders Museum and a short walk of about fifteen minutes to the air terminal in one direction and the railway station in the opposite direction.
The Saltbush Retreat is made up of a main building for reception and a number of huts for accommodation. I’m staying in a Slab Hut.
The Slab Huts have two deck chairs on the elevated porch. Although we’re in the middle of the southern hemisphere winter, it’s nice and warm sitting outside in the sun.
Behind my hut is a large patio with the claw foot bath tubs, which are for all guests to use if you feel like having an outdoor bath. In the background, a group of kangaroos is lounging in the shade to escape the heat of the sun.
I rather like my Slab Hut. Inside there’s a kitchenette and a small table.
At the opposite end of the room is the double bed. And an extra think blanket lies at the foot of the bed. At night the temperature drops considerably.
The washroom has a walk-in shower but no bath.
Dining Options
The Saltbush Retreat is self-catering. Soft drinks can be purchased at the main building, and the owner makes sure there is milk and fresh water in the fridge when you arrive. The kitchenette is fully equipped and has a toaster, a kettle, and a Nespresso machine. Complimentary tea, coffee, and sugar are provided. For everything else, you need to go shopping in town or find a place to eat.
There are plenty of dining options in town that are easily accessible on foot. It’s a walk of about thirty minutes into town. I visited The Branch several times, which is very nice and has a lovely backyard. Their portions are quite substantial and they’re open daily from seven in the morning for breakfast and lunch, and for dinner from Wednesday through Sunday. Alternatively, if you don’t feel like walking into town, there’s a café inside the Founders Museum that is open from 07h30 in the morning to 15h00 in the afternoon. Just keep in mind that the Australians love their meet. In most restaurants there are usually only very few vegetarian options.
Conclusion
I really enjoyed my stay in Longreach at the Saltbush Retreat. I’m not quite sure why, but people here seemed to find it rather peculiar that I arrived by plane, and even more peculiar that I hadn’t rented a car. I’m guessing that perhaps in summer it simply gets too hot to go anywhere on foot, but I don’t know.
Longreach is an excellent place to get a feel for what life is like in the great Outback. I think what impressed me most during my visit is that you get a good sense for the sheer size of Australia and just how empty the interior of the country is. Which ever way you look in Longreach, you see an expansive horizon with a big, big blue sky that hits you like a vision of eternity. And best of all, it’s so peaceful and quiet. During my stay, my favourite pastime was to sit in the sun on the patio behind my hut, close my eyes and listen to the strange and fabulous sounds of Australia draw me in like a dreamtime.
