RV Friendlies & Events

Longreach is a legendary town steeped in the heritage and history of the outback. Located 1,184 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, it is the largest town in Central Queensland.Longreach was named after the 'long reach' of the Thomson River, which passes near the town. The River was discovered by Edward Kennedy in 1847. The success of wool in the 1920s saw the town boom, and later that year Qantas established a booking office there, which became the centre of its operations.The Qantas Founders Museum commemorates the beginnings of this great Australian company and provides visitors with an insight into the early history of aviation in this country. The Stockman’s Hall of Fame is another major attraction. Its exhibitions include a model of Aboriginal cave paintings, the first fleet, early settlement in Sydney, the major explorations, early pioneers and then a focus on life in the bush up to the present day.To soak up more of the history of the area you can visit the Powerhouse Museum or go for a Cobb & Co coach ride. More modern day attractions include river cruises, helicopter flights, an arts and craft centre and tours of the School of Distance Education.For stocking up on essentials, there is an IGA supermarket and two pharmacies in Main Street. Other facilities include a post office, all styles of eateries, clubs, hotels, vehicle repairs and a cinema. The hospital is located on the corner of Jabiru Street and Plover Street, and all four major banks have branches in Longreach.Longreach is a robust rural and business centre in the heart of Australia and offers genuine outback hospitality to the mobile traveller.Tourist/Visitor Centre       Longreach VIC, Qantas Park, Eagle St, LongreachPh: 07 4658 4150visitinfo@longreach.qld.gov.auwww.longreach.qld.gov.au Casual Parking       Off street parking area between Crow Lane & Emu St, & in Eagle St, between Pelican St & Bustard StShort Term Parking           Apex Riverside Park west of LongreachDump Point  Cnr Sandpiper St & Kite StPotable Water          Cnr Sandpiper and Kite Street; Longreach Visitors Information Centre, 99a Eagle Street; Longreach Caravan Park, 180 Ibis Street; Longreach Tourist Park, 12 Thrush RoadHospital        Cnr of Jabiru St & Plover St, Ph: 07 4658 4731Doctors Surgery     Eagle Arcade level 1, 109 Eagle St, Ph: 07 4658 3866Dentist           130 Eagle St, Ph: 07 4658 1283Pharmacy     109 Eagle St, Ph: 07 4658 1500; 112B Eagle St, Ph: 07 4658 1004Supermarket            141 Ibis St, Ph: 07 4658 1397; Cnr Eagle St & Swan St, Ph: 07 46581260

The quaint township of Cowell is located on the beautiful Franklin Harbour on the eastern side of the Eyre Peninsular, just 493 kilometres north-west of Adelaide. Franklin Harbour was first sighted in 1802 by Matthew Flinders who mistook the natural harbour for a lagoon. In the early 1840s Governor Gawler investigated the Harbour and named it in honour of Sir John Franklin, the Governor of Tasmania. Coincidentally, Franklin was the midshipman on the exploration when Flinders decided that the ‘lagoon’ was not worth naming. Cowell was surveyed in 1880 and was first established to service the developing farm lands in the mid 1880s. The shallow harbour made it difficult for shipping, but despite this problem professional prawning fleets returned for many years. Today this coastal town has a population of around 800 people, plenty of shopping amenities, tourist attractions, and two hotels. Many tourists are being drawn to Cowell for its abundant blue swimmer crabs and excellent fishing. For those looking to cast a line, there is a secure boat launching facility and a long jetty at the end of the main street. Oyster production is another growing industry attracting tourists from near and far.Cowell offers visitors to the area parking at Cowell Motorhome Park for a cost of $10 per vehicle per night. Stays are limited to 14 days and vehicles must be self-contained vehicles. A dump point and potable water are conveniently located together on Brooks Drive.For those after something a little bit different, Cowell is famous for its jade, particularly the black jade which is extremely rare worldwide. The Cowell Jade Factory is run by the Gemstone Corporation of Australia Ltd and it is best to call ahead to confirm viewing times, however the associated store is open weekly and has a wide range of beautiful jade jewellery. The town is also home to an incredible yesteryear museum located on the highway displaying photographs, memorabilia and furnished rooms from the turn of the century. The museum can be opened on request by contacting the District Council Office next door.Tourist/Visitor Centre       Institute Building, 6 Main St, CowellPh: 08 8629 2588Casual Parking       South Terrace & High St, parking permits up to 4 vehicles within shopping hoursShort & Long Term Parking        Cowell Motorhome Park, $10 pvpn, self-contained vehicles only, (max 14 days)Dump Point  Sportsground, Brooks Drive near North TerracePotable Water          Sportsground, Brooks Drive near North TerraceHospital        South Terrace, Ph: 08 8629 2001Doctors Surgery     South Terrace, Ph: 08 8629 2504Pharmacy     Main St, Ph: 08 8629 2064Supermarket            IGA, Main St, Ph: 08 8629 2125

Winton, located on the Matilda Highway between Longreach and Cloncurry, is a friendly outback town with a lot to offer the RV traveller. When in town, be sure to visit the Winton Visitor Information Centre, as it offers current local knowledge and has all the brochures you will need to explore the region and discover its history. Winton is often referred to as the ‘Dinosaur Capital of Australia’, where you can see dinosaur fossils and the only dinosaur stampede on the planet. The Australian Age of Dinosaurs; located 24 kilometres south-east of Winton, houses the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils in the world and the largest preparation facility in the southern hemisphere. The Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry Conservation Park; located 110 kilometres south-west of Winton, has the only recorded dinosaur stampede on the planet with 3,300 stampeding dinosaur tracks, it is Australia’s first national monument to a natural heritage site. Another exciting thing to do in the area is opal mining.Those visiting Winton can find short-term parking at the rear of North Gregory Hotel. Sites are $15 per vehicle per night and parking is limited to 72 hours. A dump point and potable water can be found at Riley Street, dump point (opposite rear of former Waltzing Matilda Centre site).Winton is an outback town full of interesting attractions, and as the day fades away there is nothing as beautiful as the sunset that graces the sky.Tourist/Visitor Centre       Winton Visitor Information Centre73 Elderslie St, Winton QLDPh: 1300 665 115vic@matildacentre.com.auwww.experiencewinton.com.auCasual Parking       Riley St, opp rear of former Waltzing Matilda Centre siteShort Term Parking           Rear of North Gregory Hotel, (72hr), $15 per nightLong Term Parking            Long Waterhole & North Gregory HotelDump Point  Riley Street dump point (opposite rear of fomer Waltzing Matilda Centre site) and Vindex Street dump point at the Eric Lenton Recreational Grounds near the Skate ParkPotable Water          Riley Street dump point (opposite rear of fomer Waltzing Matilda Centre site) and Vindex Street dump point at the Eric Lenton Recreational Grounds near the Skate ParkHospital        Blomfield St, Ph: 07 4657 2700Dentist           34 Oondaroo St, Ph: 07 4657 1263Pharmacy     73 Elderslie St, Ph: 07 4657 1340Supermarket            5 Star, 37 Vindex St, Ph: 07 4657 1254; Parkers 4 Square, 79 Vindex St, Ph: 07 4657 1177; Shoprite, cnr Manuka St & Dagworth St, Ph: 07 4657 1244; Orlando Orchards, Oondaroo St, Ph: 07 4657 1398; Winton Butchers, Crn Oondooroo & Cork St, Ph: 07 4657 1351; Balamara Bakery, 76A Elderslie St, Ph: 07 4657 1242