Frequently asked questions
Planning your Longreach holiday
What is the best time to visit Longreach?
Most people like to visit between April and October when the weather is not as hot as the summer months. If you want to miss the busiest tourist time but still enjoy all the experiences, come in April, May or October when there are fewer visitors but everything is open. The evenings and early mornings are warmer than in mid-winter too. Outback Pioneers’ season runs from April to October each year.
What is the best way to get to Longreach?
People fly in or drive in from cities throughout Australia – it’s a long but fascinating drive from the major cities with other interesting outback towns along the way – and you don’t need 4WD. There are also trains from Brisbane via Rockhampton and long-distance buses – see more on our How to Get Here page.
How long should I plan to stay in Longreach?
If you want to do and see it all, allow 6–7 nights. For just the Outback Pioneers experiences, you will need 3–5 nights depending on the day of your arrival (tours run on different days and don’t run on Sundays). See tour details for days of operation.
Do I need to book tours before I arrive?
Yes, please book in advance as tours often get full at our busy times of year. If you have arrived in town without a booking, call us and we’ll do our best to fit you in. You must have a ticket before boarding a tour. If you have booked online, pick up your tickets from The Welcome Home booking office at 128 Eagle Street during opening hours (see Contact page for up-to-date details).
What do I need to bring for the tours?
Comfortable clothes, hat and sunscreen for daytime tours; jacket and insect repellent for the Starlight’s Cruise Experience. And don’t forget your camera!
Are the tours suitable for children?
Children of five and over have a great time on all our tours. Younger children typically enjoy the full Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience with the Old Time Tent Show. Kids usually love the animals on the Nogo Station Experience or sitting around a campfire on the Starlight’s Cruise Experience. It all depends on the age and interests of your child – please discuss it with our reservations team.
Cancellations
What happens if I need to cancel my Outback Pioneers holiday or experience?
You can cancel up to 24 hours before an experience. Holiday cancellation conditions may vary depending on whether you are travelling with a group or independently. Please check with our reservations crew.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We will offer you an alternative day or a modified experience, depending on the weather problem. If this doesn’t suit you, we can refund your money.
Special dietary needs
Can you provide for special diets?
We regularly cater for vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free or gluten free. Please let us know when you book. If you have other special dietary requirements or allergies, please ask us when you book or at least two weeks in advance.
Experiences
Where do I pick up my experience tickets?
If you have booked online or over the phone, please pick up your tickets at the Outback Pioneers Booking Office at 128 Eagle Street (The Welcome Home building – see the Contact page for opening times) when you arrive in Longreach. We can then give you any updates and take note of your accommodation for pick-ups, if we have not already done so.
Where do the experiences and tours depart from?
The Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience starts at the Cobb & Co Courtyard (enter through The Station Store at 126 Eagle Street).
The Nogo Station Experience, Starlight’s Cruise Experience, and Winton Discovery Day Tour all pick up from Longreach accommodation and from the Outback Pioneers Booking Office at 128 Eagle Street. Please make sure we have your accommodation details for pick-up and drop-off.
What time are the experiences?
Please see your booking confirmation for departure times. Times on this website are a guide but may vary according to seasonal or operational changes so your booking confirmation is your best reference.
See further questions under disability access below and at the foot of the specific experience pages.
The Staging Post accommodation
What is the difference between The Stables rooms and The Coach Inn rooms?
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in is from 3.00pm and check-out is by 10am.
Does the accommodation have room service?
Eating at The Welcome Home
Do I need to book for breakfast at The Welcome Home?
If you are on one of our inclusive holidays, your breakfast is booked and included. For independent travellers and locals, it helps us to know how many to cater for if you book but normally we can fit in individuals, couples and small families without a booking. Please book for larger groups.
Do I need to book for lunch at The Welcome Home?
We don’t take lunch reservations. Please just come along and find a table.
Do I need to book for evening dining at The Welcome Home?
Yes, please book for the Stonegrill Experience and the Country Classics Dining. You will find the booking form here.
Can we buy alcohol at The Welcome Home?
No, we have soft drinks available and you can BYO for the evening dining options.
What are the opening hours for eating at The Welcome Home?
The Welcome Home dining and café is open in the winter April-October season. Breakfast is from Monday-Saturday 6.30am–9.00am.
The Welcome Home Café & Tearoom is open for lunches and snacks Monday to Friday 9.00am–3.00pm.
Evening dining is 6.00pm–9.00pm.
Note: Due to staff shortages, the café and tearoom is temporarily closed and evening options are only available to inclusive holiday guests and group clients. Please check with us for updates.
Disability access
Is the Cobb & Co stagecoach ride suitable for someone with a bad back/neck?
The stagecoach ride is 45 minutes and most of the time it is travelling at a gentle pace through town and bush, but the experience does include a short gallop along a dirt track. It is surprisingly comfortable and not as bumpy as you might imagine. Many older people have enjoyed the ride but please discuss it with our reservations crew if you have a sensitive condition or would like further advice.
Is the Starlight’s Cruise Experience accessible for a wheelchair user or someone with limited mobility?
If you can get onto the transfer bus, there are ramps onto the boats. If you cannot transfer out of the wheelchair for the bus, the best option is to come to the river by your private transport and use the ramps to board. Please let our crew know in advance that this is what you will do. Toilets at the rivercamp have disabled access.
Is the Nogo Station Experience suitable for a wheelchair user or someone with limited mobility?
If you can get on and off the bus, you will be able to enjoy the experience. Minimal walking is needed. Unfortunately the buses do not have wheelchair access.
Is the Winton Discovery Day Tour suitable for a wheelchair user or someone with limited mobility?
If you can get on and off the bus, you will be able to enjoy the experience. Minimal walking is needed. Unfortunately the buses do not have wheelchair access.
Is the Old Time Tent show suitable for a wheelchair user or someone with limited mobility?
Yes. Please let our crew know in advance if you need wheelchair access or help to get seated.
Does The Staging Post Accommodation have disability access?
Our current (first phase) rooms do not have wheelchair access. We plan to include a wheelchair accessible room in the next phase of development so hope to welcome you in future.
Is there disability access for dining at The Welcome Home?
Doorways and toilets at The Welcome Home are wheelchair accessible.
Are assistance dogs allowed?
We welcome trained and certified assistance dogs displaying certification as specified under Queensland legislation. However, please be aware that the nature of the experiences could present some challenges.
The Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience has a team of horses and a dog. Our animals are well-trained to RSPCA standards for dealing with the public but it is your responsibility to ensure your dog does not approach the horses or other animals. The stagecoach itself is a small enclosed space with passengers aboard (not as spacious as modern transport!) and you need to be confident that you and your dog will be comfortable in this situation. The Old Time Tent Show also has animals.
Similarly, on the Nogo Station Experience, we encounter a number of other dogs, farm animals and feral animals. We believe a certified assistance dog should be able to handle this, but please be aware of the potential distractions.
The Winton Discovery Day Tour is a long day with a two-hour coach ride each way.
Transport, parking and taxis
How do I get from the airport/station to my accommodation?
If you are booked for our holidays or The Staging Post accommodation, we can meet your flight or train – just let us know the time of arrival and departure. If you are staying elsewhere, Longreach Taxi can meet you – their number is 0429 000 900.
Is there somewhere we can park a car and caravan or motorhome while we do the experiences?
There is plenty of street parking in Eagle Street near The Welcome Home, where our experiences depart.
Does The Staging Post accommodation have parking?
There is street parking at the front of The Stables precinct and a car park and off-street parking behind The Coach Inn precinct.
Are there taxis in Longreach?
Yes, you can call the local taxi on 0429 000 900.
Can we hire a car in Longreach?
Yes, you can hire a car at Longreach airport but you’ll need to book in advance as cars are not always available at short notice.
Do all the experiences include pick-up and drop-off at our accommodation?
For experiences that involve a coach transfer – the Nogo Station Experience, the Starlight’s Cruise Experience, the Winton Discovery Day Tour – we will pick you up at your accommodation.
Toilet facilities
What toilet facilities are available on the experiences?
There are toilets available for all experiences, including at the Nogo Station shearing shed and the bush camp there.
COVID safety
Do guests need COVID vaccination proof or masks?
At the moment, guests do not need to be vaccinated or wear a mask. Masks are still recommended:
What precautions does Outback Pioneers take for COVID protection?
We are always prepared to introduce additional cleaning and social distancing procedures if government regulations require them. In the meantime, our staff maintain high standards of hygiene and cleaning to protect our guests.
What if I have cold or flu symptoms?
Please wear a mask to help protect your fellow guests if you have any COVID-like symptoms or are a close contact of someone who has. This regulation may change, if there are major new outbreaks, and we may be required to refuse entry to people with COVID symptoms so please keep an eye on the Queensland Health website.