Trip Report: QantasLink BNE-LRE-BNE (Lots of Photos)

[Brandon Giacomin]

Introduction:

On Saturday May 5th and Sunday May 6th I went out to Longreach to see the Qantas Founders Outback Museum. It was a fantastic trip! Back in January my friend Josh told me that QantasLink had a sale on flights to Longreach, usually $180 or more one-way it was just $99. We had both always wanted to go out to Longreach so we took the opportunity and booked, we would just be staying the one night as we thought that would be long enough. The flights were $200 all up and the hotel would be $66 each so it ended up being very cheap.

We also booked our tour at the Qantas museum; we would be doing the ‘Ultimate tour’ which includes museum entry, B707 tour, B747 tour and B747 wing walk. And while on the internet one day I thought I would search the net to see if there were any scenic flights out of Longreach. I saw that ‘Queensland Helicopters’ offers scenic flights out of Longreach. They offer a 10 minute flight for $50 which I thought was pretty good for a helicopter flight. They offered longer flights too but I thought this one would be long enough and I didn’t want to spend too much.

We were booked on QF2532 on Saturday May 5 from Brisbane (depart 0835) to Longreach (arrive 1120) with a quick stopover in Barcaldine. The flight back was on the following day, QF2535 from Longreach (depart 1610) nonstop to Brisbane (arrive 1805). Both flights on Dash 8-Q400s. About two weeks before the trip we both received an email from Qantas saying our flight to Longreach had changed. We would have no stopover in Barcaldine; QantasLink had put on an extra flight which would fly BNE-BCI-LRE-BNE. So we would be lucky and see two QantasLink in the one day.

And also we received an email from the QFOM saying that they were no longer offering tours of the B747 because the soil under the nose gear isn’t as stable as they thought, the concrete slab for the nose gear had sunk about a foot or two into the ground. Luckily they began to offer B707 wing walks so we would do that instead but it was a shame that we couldn’t go inside the B747.

Woke up at about 6am, I had packed the night before so just did a quick check in the morning. Left at 6:30am and got to the airport at 7am. Used the check in machines to get my boarding pass (was given Seat 9D) and bag tag for my checked luggage. Put the tag on my bag then went to the manual bag drop off. Took me a while to do because I hadn’t done it before but now that I know, it is pretty simple. Josh arrived at 7:30am and did the same, he was given Seat 5D. Huge line for security screening but we got though fairly quickly.

Brisbane Airport:

Firstly we went up to the main gates to have a look around. Was just the normal stuff, went down to the common user satellite to see QantasLink Boeing 717 VH-NXQ which was off to Alice Springs for an aircraft swap over, VH-NXN would be returning to operate the BNE services.

VH-NXQ nearly ready to go
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7005808628_0af55ecfff_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7005808628/)

Qantas tails
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/7005811084_e637dab388_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7005811084/)

We then went down to the QantasLink gates; it was quite busy down there with a flight departing every 10 mins while we were there. We had about a 20 minute wait and then boarding was called for the flight through Gate 1.

May 5, 2012
QantasLink
QF2532
BNE-LRE
VH-QOS DH8D
Seat 9D

I guessed the day before that we would get VH-QOS and we did.

On the bus out to VH-QOS
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/7151902001_4b14651fe9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7151902001/)

On-board in Seat 9D, I only saw one available seat on the flight. There was a group of people from the RFDS so they took up nearly a quarter of the plane.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/7151903715_4198cd4969_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7151903715/)

Lining up on RWY19
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I didn’t take any more photos during the flight because I was facing the sun the whole time and my window was quite dirty. After the seat belt sign was switched off breakfast was served which was a scone with jam and butter and yogurt with muesli. I just watched a couple of episodes of two and a half men on my iPod and listened to some music. And before I knew it we were descending into Longreach. We flew over the small town of Ilfracombe on descent and over the Landsborough Highway. We landed on RWY22 and taxied to the small terminal, was surprised to see a Gulfstream GIV there (N810LP).

Longreach Airport:

At the gate
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7229/7156514616_99845643ef_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156514616/)

Walked off QOS and entered the small terminal. The bag pickup area is just outside the terminal after collecting our bags we walked over to the stunning VH-EBQ.

Qantas Boeing 747-200 VH-EBQ, been in LRE for nearly 10 years now
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8016/7156518894_82d2a5af1c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156518894/)

Quick turn around and VH-QOS was back off to BNE, had the rest of the day off
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/7156522348_2e31e6d57e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156522348/)

Weird looking ultra-light taxiing out to RWY04
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7086/7156526068_8267e89287_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156526068/)

About 30 minutes after QOS departed, SBI arrived from Brisbane via Barcaldine.
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Turning into the gate
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After SBI arrived we went a few hundred metres down the road to the Jumbuck Motel and checked in. We dropped our bags off and then went back to the airport to grab some lunch. After lunch we had a look around VH-EBQ and the Boeing 707 VH-XBA.

QFOM
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/7156537132_115943aa9d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156537132/)

Newest addition to the museum, Catalina VH-EAX
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7223/7156541862_b3928bd5d7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156541862/)

[Brandon Giacomin]

EBQ
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7101/7156545788_1a48494205_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156545788/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7156550198_e386279162_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156550198/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7156553602_c055f7fecc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156553602/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7093/7156560886_ba3de3a31f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156560886/)

XBA
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7240/7156557166_e0e7eab533_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156557166/)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5456/7156565158_a997541f09_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156565158/)

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7096/7156585054_21efecfc5c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156585054/)

XBA and EBQ
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5035/7156568018_b7***d314b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156568018/)

Wing walkers on XBA
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Far end of the GA Apron
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Afterwards we returned to the motel for an hour before returning to the airport for our Helicopter scenic flight.

We went to the Queensland Helicopters office, no one was in the office, the pilot was currently out on another scenic flight, there were two other groups waiting outside before us as well. The helicopter returned shortly and took another group for a flight. 10 minutes later they returned and he shut down the helicopter. There was a group of about 10 Asian tourists who had being doing the scenic flight. The pilot came into the office us and another group came in and we payed for the flight and had a quick 5 minute briefing and then we were off. The other group went first, we waited the 10 minutes and when It arrived we walked out for our flight :D

May 5, 2012
Queensland Helicopters
LRE-LRE
VH-HOQ R44
Back row, left hand side

HOQ arrives back to take us for a flight
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5236/7156589398_af2498f0f3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156589398/)

View of the B707, B747 and Catalina from the Helicopter
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7156593718_10fccf158e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156593718/)

Departing Longreach Airport
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8158/7156596680_5619a54ded_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156596680/)

[Brandon Giacomin]

Longreach from the air
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5156/7156601060_44cb395004_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156601060/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/7156606104_5e0c97fed2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156606104/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7223/7156610646_a4f6a0d54e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156610646/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7218/7156616104_00a7c95b05_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156616104/)

Longreach Airport
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http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5193/7168035814_64093e2043_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7168035814/)

Alongside RWY22
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GA Apron and Qantas Museum
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GIV N810LP can be seen here
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Up front, after the flight
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8003/7168056796_abb094a966_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7168056796/)

HOQ
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5345/7168062898_03108f5819_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7168062898/)

Queensland Helicopters office
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Had a great flight, my first time in a helicopter and I loved it. Afterwards we returned to the motel and just relaxed for a while, about half an hour before sunset we went back to the airport for some more photos.

Nice looking jet
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5072/7156707296_b78aa***04_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156707296/)

QFOM
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5335/7156712112_73db6a43b7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156712112/)

Qantas’ original hangar
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5463/7156714940_920015ec15_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156714940/)

[Brandon Giacomin]

DC3 VH-EAP
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7245/7156718630_3415ba5fd1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156718630/)

VH-EBQ looking great with golden light and the full moon
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Entrance to the small terminal
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Beautiful!
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Cessna 210 looking great in the golden light
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7235/7156883732_0ab36479c9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156883732/)

GA Aircraft
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5338/7156887298_8df3215f3e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156887298/)

HOQ from the back, the Queensland Helicopters hanger can be seen in the background
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5116/7156890722_0975dc8c0b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156890722/)

EBQ looks very big from this angle
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7091/7156894132_27e86ecb9d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156894132/)

RFDS King Air VH-FDI arrives from Brisbane
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More of EBQ
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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/7156908942_bcc6c55bae_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156908942/)

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7239/7156916106_6d79e6d391_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156916106/)

[Brandon Giacomin]

VH-HOQ and N810LP
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7213/7156918900_a1c52363fe_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156918900/)

FDI getting filled up
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7073/7156923062_760248f820_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156923062/)

When it got dark we walked back to the motel for dinner, we then returned to our room and relaxed before going to sleep.

We woke up at 7:30 the next morning and went to the motels buffet breakfast. We then went back to our room and packed our bags and checked out. We asked the owner if we could leave our bags at reception while we were at the tour and he was more than happy for us to do that. At 9am we left for the airport for our 9:30am tour. We arrived a little early so we went into the terminal to get a few photos.

Check in desks
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Inside the terminal
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Entrance and the B747
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/7156934100_d1f56527ed_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156934100/)

About 10 minutes before the tour we went into the museum. The ticket sales, gift shop and restaurant behind.
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Our tour guide picked up the group at 9:30 and we were on our way out to the B707, B747 and Catalina. We started with the B747, even though nobody is allowed in it at the moment we still had a look around the aircraft.

You can see here that the nose gear has gone down about a foot.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7100/7156943434_ee7baecc6d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156943434/)

Looking around EBQ
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XBA
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7156963508_dd10c84bda_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156963508/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8153/7156967012_e58b0530fa_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156967012/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7074/7157115016_83107a813d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157115016/)

[Brandon Giacomin]

Catalina
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5459/7156970692_14798c187d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156970692/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7077/7156980016_bd28fe7979_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7156980016/)

Baron VH-JCJ
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Boarding the B707
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Wing view from an emergency exit door up front
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Cockpit
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8158/7157129882_92e773cc93_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157129882/)

Hopping off XBA
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5463/7157133776_f72fd047a1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157133776/)

The tour was great, very informative and learnt lots about the history of the three aircraft. After the tour we stayed back for the wing walk as well as two others, as part of the wing walk we were allowed to actually go into the cockpit as well as all the rooms which were all blocked off which was great.

In the captains seat
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http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5340/7157147516_86ff5da385_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157147516/)

The front area
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7089/7157152096_a2dd800d64_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157152096/)

Back area
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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/7157160462_967daf8cbe_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157160462/)

After that it was onto the wing walk! Whilst doing the wing walk, the GIV N810LP departed for Essendon.

Tail
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5338/7157163836_43046e02bb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157163836/)

Front end of XBA
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7102/7157167376_8eaf45b763_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157167376/)

[Brandon Giacomin]

Wing
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5460/7157170868_704cce44d3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157170868/)

HOQ doing more scenic flights
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7085/7157175934_6fa02e7dd7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157175934/)

Disembarking XBA
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After the wing walk it was nearly 12pm, we went into the museum

Avro 504K Replica
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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7102/7157193462_9559df3f5b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157193462/)

de Havilland DH50 Iris Replica
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8144/7157188504_c087a2a1d1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157188504/)

We then went out to the DC3
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Interior
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And then into the Original Qantas hangar
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de Havilland DH61 Giant Moth "Apollo” Replica VH-UJB
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/7157296174_b836f6dd8a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157296174/)

After looking at everything in the museum we went to the restaurant for lunch, we then went just across the road to see the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. We just had a look outside, wouldn’t have really interested me.

The view of the 747 from across the road
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The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame
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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/7157269090_e51840de78_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157269090/)

By then it was 2pm so we went back to the motel to get out bags before returning to the airport for our flight home. We waited in the terminal til check in opened; I just went on the internet on my phone to pass the time. I went on balus to see if our flight had left; it had left about 20 minutes late and was unfortunately VH-QOW in “Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo” livery. My second time on QOW after flying on her 2 months ago from MKY-BNE and Josh’s second time on QOW after flying on her from BNE-ROK about 6 months ago.

Check in opened just over an hour before the plane arrived. We lined up straight away and dropped of our bags and got our boarding passes, I was in 17A and Josh was in 18A. The lady that checked us in said that the flight was completely full. There were two groups travelling on the flight, the same RFDS group as the day before and some outback sport group? Not sure though. Since we had a little time til our flight left we just stood in front of EBQ for a while. And when QOW was due in we went up to the gate to get some photos.

[Brandon Giacomin]

Just arrived on RWY22
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/7157276240_731b3889a5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157276240/)

Turning into the gate
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7157279368_996214c047_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157279368/)

Parked at the gate
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5197/7157283636_6db8d9ecab_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157283636/)

Boarding started pretty much as soon as everyone was off the plane. I was standing right next to the gate so when boarding was called I was first in line.

May 6, 2012
QantasLink
QF2535
LRE-BNE
VH-QOW DH8D
Seat 17A

QOW looking great in the afternoon light
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5334/7157299782_cec6bede08_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157299782/)

First on-board!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7235/7157303230_4be8d28cd0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157303230/)

In seat 17A
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7095/7157306142_6116263d8c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157306142/)

Leaving Longreach
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7089/7157309754_4c57a075d0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157309754/)

We lined up on RWY04 and we were on our way to Brisbane, I didn’t bother with photos because I was facing the sun.

Turning to the right
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7217/7157312636_370381257a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157312636/)

The small town of Ilfracombe, there little airstrip can be seen at the top of the photo
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7157316790_fc5e2586fe_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157316790/)

Afternoon tea was served which were cheese and biscuits, wasabi peas and almonds and a little piece of dark chocolate with our choice of drinks.

There were some very nice views on our way to Brisbane and the afternoon light kept getting better and better.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7225/7157319892_e79cdc4a11_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157319892/)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5199/7157322764_46df262866_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157322764/)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5040/7157325730_9767e10b00_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157325730/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/7157328526_2e51aff038_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157328526/)

Soon it went dark and the northern suburbs of Brisbane came into view. We got some great views of the lights as well as the super moon reflecting off the water which looked fantastic. We got a magnificent view of the city, we turned right around the city on a fairly long final approach into RWY01. We had a very bumpy touchdown and then taxied to our gate. It was quite far from the terminal so we were put on buses again. We arrived at the terminal about 20 minutes late.

QOW from the bus, she was heading up to Rockhampton that night
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5466/7157332592_efb63c3361_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/7157332592/)

We picked up our bags which came off pretty quickly and then went to the pickup zone where my parents picked me up and Josh’s picked him up and that was the end of our Longreach weekend trip.

Conclusion:

Fantastic trip had a great time, QantasLink were good as usual. The hotel was nice and the Qantas museum was fantastic. There were lots of signs at Longreach Airport about a big expansion which is meant to start soon. It will include a new terminal with security, departures and arrivals lounges, baggage carousel and much more. There will also be a new aircraft apron connected to the current one. Also there are plans for a huge shade to go over the Qantas museum. Once this is done I will definitely head back up there!

No more trips for 3 months, going down to Newcastle for the day in early August. Down on a Virgin Fokker 100 and back up on a Jetstar A320.

Thanks for reading,
Brandon

[Justin L]

That was great. I definitely want to get out there now!

[Sarah C]

Excellent trip report Brandon- I have done it many times now but your descriptions and images really capture a trip to Longreach. Well done!

[chrisb]

Did I read correctly they you weren't allowed inside the 747? How come?

Also, when I did the 707 they had a strict no photos policy. Has that changed?

[Brandon Giacomin]

Chris

The soil under the concrete slab for the 747s nosegear wasn't as stable as they thought and this year the concrete slab has started to sink with the nosegear going down too. It has only gone down about a foot. They reckon its not going to go down any further but just incase they have stopped all tours of the 747.

Our tour guide said that they will be getting a few cranes in in the next few weeks and they will fix the problem. Apparently tours will re-commence out of the 747 in a few weeks.

As for the 707 they have just started to permit photography in it as of this year.

Brandon

[Mark Grima]

Good to see you can take photos inside XBA now. When I was last in LRE and did the tour you could not. That was about five years a go tough.

Great report and some awesome photos.

Cheers

M

[Ricky T]

Excellent report Brandon! Thanks for a great read.

Your report brings back some good memories from my trip to Longreach back in August 2010. The flights to LRE were only $49 one way ($98 return) back then owing to a really good Qantaslink promotion. The only downside was the OMG departure time from BNE (06:55am on a Saturday which neccesitated an overnight stay).

I did the 747 Secrets and Wing Walk Tour (in hindsight, I should have done the ultimate tour package). It was amazing! I loved the visit to the cockpit plus the computer bay and cargo hold. :D There was also a certificate for the Wing Walk. :) By the way, did they give you a certifcate for the 707 Wing Walk?

Thank you once again for a great report.

[Brandon Giacomin]

Thanks Guys.

Wow, $49 one way is fantastic. I was disapointed that the B747 was out of action but I still had a great time. And no I didn't get a certificate for the B707 Wing Walk.

[Radi K]

The reason why the 747 is closed. http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/02/17/3433486.htm

Heard today it will cost $70k to fix.