14 minute read
TRAVEL
Outback Queensland – a road trip by design
A series of award-winning architectural projects has turned outback Queensland into an unlikely design destination. PIPPA HURST explores the cultural and heritage trail from Barcaldine through Longreach to Winton.
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The Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton.
IMAGE: CHRISTOPHER FREDERICK JONES
Striking contemporary architecture is not the first thing that springs to mind when planning a trip to the Queensland Outback, yet a series of tourist attractions has become an unlikely architectural trail that’s making a difference to the economic prosperity of Barcaldine, Longreach and Winton.
From a tiny museum that seems to rise from the earth to a whimsical, pink interior that nods to the Sydney Opera House, each project is worth a visit for the architecture alone. Beyond aesthetics, good design is making a significant contribution to the region’s future.
Architect Michael Lavery is a director of m3architecture, a Brisbane-based practice that has built a strong relationship with Barcaldine.
“‘The Barcaldine Regional Council has demonstrated courage and leadership by investing in design,” he says.
Working in collaboration with Brian Hooper Architect, m3architecture was first commissioned to work on Barcaldine’s Tree of Knowledge, the birthplace of the Australian Labor Party. At the same time, the council had purchased the Globe Hotel, a decrepit pub that was slated for demolition.
‘’While working on the Tree of Knowledge, we saw the potential to encourage passing tourists to spend more time in town,” Michael says. “The architects convinced the council to invest in a master plan and retain the Globe.”
Seven years later, the re-imagined Globe Hotel represented Australia at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale.
The projects have received a string of local and national awards for urban design, architecture and heritage.
A lookout designed by m3architecture and Brian Hooper Architect is currently under construction alongside the Globe, and the master plan also includes a future performing arts centre and gallery.
The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre in Longreach was affectionately dubbed the Opera House of the Outback when it opened in 1988, a reference to its distinctive curved form by Feiko Bouman Architect.
The museum, which pays homage to Australia’s bush pioneers, had been in slow decline. Exhibits and amenity no longer met contemporary standards, and with no master plan, 30-plus years of disjointed works had gradually made the entire operation dysfunctional.
The transformative redesign has reinstated the museum as a top-ranking tourist destination. Cheeky references to the Opera House and new, technology-rich exhibits have captivated audiences.
Another Longreach design drawcard is the Qantas Founders Museum Airpark Roof. Adjacent to the existing Qantas Museum and 1922 heritage hangar, Airpark Roof by Noel Robinson Architects is a dramatic, 8000sq m floating structure that houses several historic aircraft, including a Boeing 747.
Visitors can explore the aircraft up close from viewing platforms.
The aircraft and soaring roof provide the canvas for “Luminescent Longreach”, a state-of-the-art light show designed by Buchan that explores aviation history. Last stop Winton, population 945. An hour from Longreach, Winton has two awarded architectural works by national practice COX.
The relationship began in 2012 with the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, a tiny jewel 24km south-east of the town.
Sitting atop a remote mesa, the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum museum provides an insight into one of the world’s most significant and cohesive dinosaur fossil collections, which local farmer-turned-palaeontologist John Elliot stumbled upon in 1999. It won the State’s top award for public architecture in 2013.
Back in town, COX was engaged to re-design the Waltzing Matilda Centre, which burnt down in 2015. The only museum in the world dedicated to a song, it houses an extensive collection of artefacts, memorabilia and collateral related to Banjo Paterson’s 1895 ballad.
There is one other regional treasure for the intrepid design tourist. A side trip to Muttaburra – officially Queensland’s geographic centre – reveals Brian Hooper’s Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre, a sculptural insertion into the landscape that tells the story of a dinosaur fossil found near Muttaburra in 1963.
The Globe Hotel in Barcaldine was saved from the wrecker’s ball and became a showpiece.
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One of the many beauty spots of the Carnarvon Gorge National Park. FROM watching whales off the Fraser coast to stopping to smell the roses in Toowoomba, you don’t have to travel far to feel you are on the road to discovery.
Whether it’s a quick getaway for three or four days or a longer seven-day excursion, if you’re ready to get out and about there’s a luxury coach waiting to carry you away.
“A spacious, modern air-conditioned luxury coach is the most comfortable and safest way to get out on our highways and by-ways,” says Paul Brockhurst of CT Travel. “Passengers can sit back and enjoy the views without stress; chat to neighbours and socialise rather than having eyes glued to the road and worrying about where to park.” If your feet are starting to itch, Paul has a range of itineraries coming up to get going. Over seven days from August 26, explore the scenic gem that is the Carnarvon region. After a drive to Roma via Chinchilla, it’s easy cruising around “big sky” country. Retired farmers and graziers lead a tour of the Roma Saleyard, the largest in the southern hemisphere, while another local guide will show off the town. Then it’s off to see Injune before checking in at the Wallaroo Outback Retreat for four nights. It’s the perfect base for day trips with experienced guides to the Carnarvon Gorge National Park, the Carnarvon Ranges and Arcadia Valley Escape, a 17,000acre cattle station.
Boobook Eco Tours local guides lead the way through privately owned and operated coal seam gas fields, showing world class farm and conservation properties to give a real-life insight to how industries coexist with environment.
September is Carnival of the Flowers time in Toowoomba. It’s the longestrunning event of its kind in Australia and a cultural feast of local food and produce, entertainment and all things spring.
Spend three days from September 17 visiting a multitude of magnificent gardens and watch the Floral Parade from reserved seating.
All aboard for Fraser Island for four days from September 6. If you’ve always wanted to see the places that everyone talks about without the stress of driving a 4WD, then this is the chance to catch it all.
From Kingfisher Bay Resort, head off to Central Station, Lake McKenzie, 75 Mile Beach, Eli Creek, the Maheno Shipwreck and Eurong. As well as as the guided Beauty Spots Tour, there’s a whale watch adventure cruise to see the humpbacks playing in the sheltered waters off Fraser.
A four-day excursion to the Fraser Coast from October 11, includes trips around Bundaberg and Bargara, as well as a day cruise to Lady Musgrave Island on the Sea Empress. The Hinkler Hall of Aviation, Bundaberg Rum Distillery and the Bundaberg Brewing Company’s “The Barrel” are all on the list.
Once you’ve caught the bug, spread your wings in October for a seven-day excursion to Lightning Ridge, the only place in Australia where the prized black opal is found. There are three days to explore the region, including Grawin, Glengarry & Sheepyard Opal fields, as well as time to visit Miles, Roma, St George and other attractions along the way.
Next year, it’s a short flight to Norfolk Island for eight days immersing in history, culture and natural beauty, from steep ocean clifftops to convict ruins and the famous Norfolk Pines.
This fully escorted tour is a trip overseas without leaving Australian territory. Bookings are now open.
“Coach tours are economical,” Paul says. “Fuel prices aren’t your problem and accommodation and most meals are already sorted as part of the package. On top of that, there’s a direct line to the locals to tap into their knowledge of their home.”
Full tours details and a list of upcoming tours where you can choose your destination and duration, are on the CT Travel website. Visit cttravel.com.au
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Join Sunshine FM Presenter Penny Hegarty on this fabulous tour! WARWICK & STANTHORPE (STONE FRUIT SEASON)
4 DAYS - 3 NIGHTS 4TH - 7TH NOVEMBER 2021 $1150
Per person, Twin share Single Room $1285 INCLUSIONS: ● Queens Park Ipswich ● Boonah & Moogerah Dam ● Warwick Town Tour ● Abbey Of The Roses ● Pringle Cottage ● Suttons Juice Factory ● Aloomba Lavender Farm ● Glengallan Homestead ● The Barn & Scotty’s Garage ● P. L. Travers Home at Allora, author of Mary Poppins ● Ballandean Estate Winery ● Girraween National Park
INCLUDES: ACCOMMODATION * COACH TRAVEL * ALL MEALS * TOURS * ENTRY FEES * PICKUPS - CONDITIONS MAY APPLY INFORMATIVE GUIDED TOURS WHERE YOUR TOURING EXPECTATIONS ARE MY PRIORITY. PLEASE CONTACT PENNY FOR DETAILS OF UPCOMING DAY TOURS IN OCTOBER & NOVEMBER.
Cinque Terre WITH international travel still a long way off, Isabella Dusi has decided that the next best thing is to keep the dream alive by sharing her passion for Italian art, history, wine, food and language.
She has launched Italy Dreaming to keep everyone connected with their dreams through fortnightly presentations and language conversation mornings.
“We cannot go … yet … and it seems so far away, but we can dream,” she says. “Italy Dreaming offers two ways to keep us motivated and to keep our brains ticking over. No matter our age we need to be learning, absorbing and doing, even if we aren’t going anywhere for some time.”
Isabella returned to her home in Noosa three years ago after living in Italy for 24 years. She studied art history while living in a grand old stone palazzo in Florence and travelled the length and breadth of the country, learning about the art, sculpture, architecture and archaeology.
She had worked as an interior designer in Noosa in the 1980s, and also ran interior decoration classes. In Italy, she wrote three books about the country and was published by Simon & Schuster UK.
“In between studying art history in Florence, I led hundreds of small art, history and lifestyle journeys through Italy,” she says. “Until Covid, I continued to travel twice a year to Italy. Who knows when will get back again.”
To get moving, she launched Italy Dreaming, saying if she can’t go to Italy, then she will bring Italy here.
“Without things to keep my mind occupied, to keep learning and absorbing, I was tending to isolate, and my mind was stagnating so, I thought, why be isolated and stagnate when there are so many fabulous stories to share.”
Join Italian Conversation at Fine Espresso and Spa, 239 Gympie Tce, Noosaville, to chat in everyday Italian with a small group of friends, beginners to advanced, on August 5 and 19, 10.30am.
The group for illustrated Italy and Travel Talks is at Noosa Surf Museum, Noosa Lakes Resort, 3 Hilton Tce, Tewantin. Free parking at rear. Buses 626 and 627 stop at Museum door.
Topics range from Italian history and politics, Renaissance art and the Sicilian Mafia to how to buy a house in Italy and a guided walk through Florence.
Email isabelladusi039@gmail.com FOR the past 15 years Judy Polkinghorne has been making travel dreams come true for women from around Australia and NZ.
The founder of the locally owned and operated Girls on Tour, Judy has pioneered women-only travel in Australia.
“If you’re single, widowed, divorced, married or you just don’t have someone to travel with, Girls On Tour is for you,” she says. “More than 35 per cent of business is return travellers so it’s clear that women love travelling with Girls On Tour.”
And with overseas travel out of reach, Judy is exploring Australia with tours for 2022 including the Kimberleys, Uluru, Northern Territory National Parks, a day flight over Antarctica and, for the first time, Cape York. “It’s true to say that my clients are really keen to travel again with my 2022 Cape York trip selling out in only 36 hours
MORE lockdowns and border closures make Queensland the obvious choice for travellers and with so much diversity from the coastline to the Outback, there is plenty to see.
“We could travel for five years and still not see it all,” tour leader Penny Hegarty says. “Some tours cover everything, from beaches and rainforest to the west where there’s always a warm country welcome.” Girls on Tour at Uluru. and 95 per cent of those booking being return clients” Judy said.
The “On the Trail of Giants” tour next year will follow the dinosaur trail to Winton to visit Lark Quarry and Age of Dinosaurs and then down to the Eromanga Natural History Museum.
Call Judy 0409 057 417, visit girlsontour.com.au or join the Facebook group girlsontouraustralia
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Penny’s tours this year have been fully booked.
“Group travel is a great way to meet new people and of course everything except the packing is done for you,” she says. “With transport, accommodation, most meals and entry fees included in the cost, there are no hidden extras.”
Penny recommends booking early to be sure of a spot.
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September 6-9, 2021 (4 Day Escape) Fraser Island Whale Watch Tour
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