Old Tent Show & Thomson River Cruise

Our last day in Longreach was our best.

In the morning, Sue enjoyed visiting the School Of The Air.

Sue

The Longreach School of Distance Education was an interesting guided tour. A video presentation at the beginning gave all the information required to understand how it all works. A teacher told us more and answered questions. This was followed by a tour of the school. It’s been ten years since I last visited this type of school and technology has made a huge difference in how lessons are delivered. Impressive. Tours at 9 or 10:30 Weekdays. Allow 90 minutes.

Peter

While she took in all the new technology, I went over to the QANTAS Museum but having been there before, I chose the cheap option and wandered about taking a few photos of planes and then retired to McGinnesses Restaurant for a coffee and a long read of my current book.

We got back together to attend the Harry Redford Old Time Tent Show. It harks back to the old tent shows of the late 1800's when the punters came in and were offered amazing sights and tricks only to be fooled from their money. The two performers, brothers from the Kinnon Family, gave us a very funny show. Trained horses, dogs, even ducks, a loose story of a dopey bloke who is smart and a smart bloke who is dopey, some very well constructed humor which was made to look simple but was, in fact, very cleverly written. Two very funny brothers taking the mickey out of the stereotype of the country bumpkin and making city people laugh ... yet who ends up with the money? A really good show, suitable for all ages and part of a wider variety of activities offered by the one company.

Cruising on the Thomson River

That evening, we attended were well and truly entertained. Simply one of the best experiences we have had in all of our travels around Oz. Picked up by a luxury coach from our accommodation, loaded onto the Thomson Belle for an hour of cruising into the sunset along the Thomson River and then returning to a camp beside the river for a four course meal. During the meal we were entertained by the barefoot poet Scotty and Lane, who entertained us with that wry bush humour that is so quintessentially Australian. The food and the entertainment were first class. If that wasn't enough, we then walked a few metres to see a very advanced sound and light show as part of a part animated, part live action retelling of the Captain Starlight story. Tea and damper was ready following and then the night closed with lights off except a single spotlight on the Aussie flag and a spirited rendition by staff and visitors of the Australian national anthem.

This is such a cleverly constructed show which never deviates from is atmosphere of sharing a bushies camp and cleverly masks it professionalism and attention to detail. The masks never drop but the quality of performance is so good that you become completely engaged. The fact that this grew from a station owner's despair - Richard Kinnon - at how he might keep his property and grew into a broad range of clever entertainment is testament to the vision of those involved and their creativity.

Absolutely brilliant and not to be missed if you are in Longreach. I'm fairly careful with how the

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dollars leave my pocket these days but this one was well and truly value for money. For mine, the top attraction among many top attractions here.

We even met some folks whose daughter had been our daughter-in-laws flatmate back in the day. Its a small world and out here, very flat.