Longreach aviation attraction reaching new heights

The Premier has been given a sneak peek of two new tourism attractions at the Qantas Founders Museum at Longreach during a two-day visit to the Outback.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her government had invested $3.3 million on the two projects including a new light and sound show ‘Luminescent Longreach’ and the refurbishment of a 1956 Super Constellation Aircraft.

“Qantas has a long history in Longreach and we’re thrilled that visitors will soon be able to learn more about their story at this iconic outback attraction,” the Premier said.

“I know COVID-19 has hit the tourism industry and businesses hard and now that we have the health response in Queensland under control, we can focus on our economic recovery.

“Under our $6 billion Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs plan, we’re helping Queenslanders, including our tourism industry get through this.

“More than nine in 10 tourism businesses across the state are considered small businesses and have been able to access grants, payroll tax relief, electricity bill relief, a jobs support loan scheme, land tax relief, and commercial rent payment deferrals.

“We’ve also committed tens of millions to the tourism industry to help our major attractions keep running and keep their employees in jobs.

"Today I announced a $3 million boost for the Outback tourism industry to help them recover while visiting a new tourism glamping accommodation offering, Mitchell Grass Retreat, also supported by my government.

"We’ve also launched a new tourism campaign ‘You’re Good to Go’ to encourage Queenslanders to back Queenslanders.

“It’s because Queenslanders have done such a great job of flattening the curve, we’ve been able to ease restrictions in our state faster which means Queenslanders can travel throughout the state.

“It’s new tourism projects like this and regions like Longreach and Barcaldine and many others that I want to encourage other Queenslanders to visit on their next holiday.”

The Premier said the Qantas Founders Museum would open again from the 1 July 2020.

“This is the 100-year Centenary for Qantas and its great to see these two new major tourism attractions which will bring visitors to the region for years to come,” the Premier said.

“The Outback is such a special place which is why we dedicated 2019 to the Year of Outback Tourism.

“From the beauty of the landscapes, its history, stories and community – the Outback has a special type of magic that makes it a must-see destination of our state.”

Tourism Minister Kate Jones said visitors to the Qantas Founders Museum would not experience anything like the new tourism attractions in Australia or across the world.

“Visitors will be able to immerse themselves into a night-time light experience, then step back in time by boarding a refurbished 1956 aircraft – the only one of its kind in the world,” Ms Jones said.

“Combining the vast Outback of Central Queensland, our Indigenous stories and the history of our national airline, Qantas, the Luminescent Longreach show will create a destination like no other.

“We’ve been thrilled to partner with the Qantas Founders Museum to provide tourism infrastructure that will be key in driving visitation and boosting the local economy post COVID-19.”

Qantas Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Tony Martin, said that funding provided through the Queensland Government had allowed the Qantas Founders Museum to design and deliver a game-changing tourism experience for Outback Queensland.

“The delivery of the Museum’s new light and sound show, Luminescent Longreach, will attract huge numbers to the outback with a predicted flow-on effect of millions of dollars into our local economy,” Mr Martin said.

“It’s critical for Outback Queensland tourism to keep developing and building on new products and experiences for our guests that visit this amazing part of Australia.

“The ongoing support we receive through the government grant programs enable us to deliver on new experiences and significantly grow visitation to our region that helps sustain our industry.”

The Qantas Founders Museum has been supported through the Palaszczuk Government’s Growing Tourism and Outback Tourism Infrastructure Funds and through funding provided by the Federal Government for the Airpark Roof. 

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Media contact:

Shane Doherty – 0439 624 473

Jack Harbour - 0419 620 447