Australia's Stockmans Hall of Fame - Longreach, QLD

Interpretive centres are something you get plenty of if doing the 'big' lap around the block.Longreach has so much going for it in those terms. Did you by any chance get over to the Qantas display/centre? What did you think of it? It's a pity you didn't enjoy the S.H.O.F. but it does give some insite. Having been to the cattle sales there over quite a few years since the 80's (uncle and brother have Santa Getrudis studs) and to the airport when a hanger was the only reminder of our Qantas heritage, the place has come a long way. I reckon you've got a lot more 'interpretive' centres to see before you get home. Hope the next ones are more rewarding for you.

Safe travels. Mick.

Not sure what direction you are heading in, but the museum in Gulgong (NSW) is very good and so is the Henry Lawson Centre there.

That has a lot of reading but it's very interesting.

I found out that Henry Lawson's father was Norwegian. Larsen was changed to Lawson. My father was Norwegian. In the visitors' book I wrote:

I have a Norwegian father too,
but poetry? Other things I'd rather do.

It'll go down in history.

We visited the SHOF last year, and like you were disappointed, far too much reading material and not enough to actually look at. We didn't visit the Qantas museum, mainly due to the cost, one fee to get in and then all the other attractions were extra. With a couple of kids it was going to work out very expensive and we'd all previously been inside all the aircraft types they had on display anyway.
Jon

Sorry you didn't enjoy the SHOF.
We have been a couple of times, and find it very interesting, first time was just after it opened. Wife comes from a droving family, so that may have added more interest.
Being one of the first type of centres, it was a leap forward from the musuems of old. But the wife and I always enjoy musuems too.
In Winton, you can camp at the back of the pub , and I think it is free from memory, and it will be an experience, depending how you take it, it could be good or bad.

We agree, the Stockmans Hall of Fame was a 1 hour disappointment for us - however my wife had to drag me away from the Qantas site after 5 hours - great display and I also forked out a small fortune and did all the plane tours including the wing walk. As well as the 747 walking the wing, we were in a group of only 6 people and had 2 hours to ourselves to go ANYWHERE on the 747 including into the cargo hold, computer bay, up in the tail, etc.

As I spend half my life on planes as a passenger, it was great to see "behind the scenes" - excellent day. I was also offered a job as a tour guide for the Qantas museum as they were so sort of staff and were asking any likely grey nomads.

Stevesub

I did a rushed visit in July and found the hall of fame very interesting and regret not spending more time their.
Made it more enjoyable that night bush camping on the stock route 60 ks out of town. Makes you appreciate their lifestyle even more.
The old side show exibition ( Boxing) reminded me of my childhoodld and all drunks who used to take on the travelling boxers.
Love to go back.
The Qantas exhibition was just to expensive.

Honky

All comes down to what interests you , met a woman at the c/van park last yr who went to the SHF 5 days in a row and was planning to spend even more time there , as for the Qantas founders museum it really only becomes excessively expensive if doing the 707 and 747 + wing walk , If you have not been there yet ,one of the best interactive displays is the MinMin encounter in Boulia , beats the Winton waltz hands down.

We to were very disappointed with the SHF.......... and yes go to or spend time in Winton its little gem the real outback with character. Longreach is very expensive to stay as well.. I won't be going back

Another vote here for the Matilda Centre in Winton.... Loved it!! But the QANTAS Founders Museum in Longreach is worth a visit too, we found it very informative.

In Winton, we stayed at the Matilda CaravanPOArk, opposite the BP.... good park.
Lark Quarry is a must see as well.

Cheers

Brian

Went to the Stockman's Hall of Fame about eight years ago. Found it incredibly boring. The Matilda Centre in Winton is far more interesting and informative. Would go back to the Matilda Centre again but would give S.H.O.F. a big miss.

We travelled thru Western Qld on our way back to Broome after doing the Cape. We wished we had allowed more time for this part of Australia. It to us still held what is the true Aussie Identity. I was glad we deviated to Longreach via Hughenden-Muttaburra. All the Tourism Associations in these towns need to be commended.
I loved both the Qantas Museum and the Stockmans Hall as both paid tribute to people I had read about as a kid. I enjoyed the Waltzing Matilda Museum in Winton also as well as each caravan park's evening entertainment.

It made us embarrassed that WA towns don't make the same effort to create worthwhile attractions as those in NW Qld.

Also recommend Boulia as the MinMin Centre and the Caravan Park were excellent. May I also mention the Cobb and Co Coach ride in Longreach, we enjoyed this thoroughly also.

The Muttaburra Pub served the best Counter Meal we have had Australia wide and ended up having a couple of extra beers on the verandah, yarning with other travellers about what to see in the Kimberley.

If an overseas Tourist asked where to go to see the true Australia I would direct them to this region.

Can't wait to get back and spend more time exploring

Don't leave Winton without checking out the musical fence!