Glamping in Longreach is like a safari in Africa without the African animals
Swap the city for the Outback
In June 2023 I stayed in one of the Glamping Tents belonging to Mitchell Grass Retreats on the outskirts of Longreach. I’ll never forget waking up on my first morning. Looking out from my king bed, through the tent’s insect screens out to an uninterrupted grassy expanse – the Mitchell Grass Plains – hemmed by a line of trees, then cerulean sky. No, I did not want to leave my comfy bed, but hearing footsteps on the front deck, my breakfast, delivered by Katrina one of Mitchell Grass Retreat’s Managers, I reluctantly threw back the covers.
I’d left Brisbane the day before. Two hours later, via a QantasLink flight, I was touching down on the tarmac in Longreach. Brett (and Katrina), the Managers at Mitchell Grass Retreat, were at the airport to greet me holding one of those personal signs with my name (that doesn’t happen to me often!) We leave the teeny regional airport and within five minutes I was looking longingly at my gorgeous Gidyea glamping tent. Oh, I should mention, inside there is an ensuite with a bath that wouldn’t look out of place in a luxe hotel!
This is my kind of camping: GLAMPING in style!
Unfortunately there was no time to revel in the glorious sunset creeping across the sky as I had to skip to the 6.30pm light show at the nearby Qantas Founders Museum. One of the owners of Mitchell Grass Retreat, the effervescent Tanya Neal, popped in to introduce herself and make sure I was acquainted with everything at Mitchell Grass Retreat. And going above and beyond with hospitality, Tanya offered me the use of her vehicle for the evening. (I’d chosen not to rent a car as most of my time in Longreach would be taking tours.)
I knew I would only have this one night to watch the sunset over the Mitchell Grass Plains, so I lingered as long as possible while the sky transformed into a breathtaking mix of orange hues. Nothing beats a country sunset.
Thankfully, being so close to town I drove to the QANTAS Museum car park with one minute to spare.
After the show, I headed to Harry’s Restaurant for dinner. The restaurant was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday night. Dessert was waiting for me back at Mitchell Grass Retreat. Marshmallows in a jar in the tent fridge ready to be toasted on my own personal fire, set up and kindly lit by David Neal (Tanya’s husband) before I arrived back to my tent home.
Sitting out under a canopy of stars, I toasted marshmallows over glowing embers. Bliss. My previous city life far, far away! A luxurious bubble bath before bed was the perfect end to my first afternoon in Longreach.
Mitchell Grass Retreat backstory
Owners Tanya and David Neal have set up a unique style of accommodation in Longreach. Comfort and style have not been compromised. Accessible tents are available as are swags for kids to sleep in (inside or outside.) City kids would revel in the novel experience of sleeping under the stars.
“We opened on the first of July 2020,” explains Tanya. ”We were meant to open in Easter but Covid delayed our opening plans.”
Tanya and husband David moved to Longreach 16 years ago. “We were living at the Gold Coast with our three young children and we decided we wanted to give them more freedom,” says Tanya. When her husband David and sister in law and her husband purchased the Longreach Motor Inn, they moved to Longreach. (The Neals sold the Motor Inn business in 2020.)
“We live on 60 acres and it’s just so special, so peaceful,” “says Tanya. “The birdlife is incredible and it changes all the time. Even if it’s dry there’s a different outlook. One evening we thought this is so beautiful out here and we’re close to town, why don’t we offer something special and different to visitors coming to Longreach.”
They were keen to create accommodation with a smaller footprint on the land. David thought of the tents. ”There are no glamping tents in Longreach and we realised this is something we can introduce to Longreach, kind of like a Safari in Africa, just without the African animals.”
They applied to Council in 2018 for the approvals. The tents were purchased from a supplier in Western Australia.
Tanya looked after the tent interiors. “Our beds are made in Australia and I have used the most expensive commercial bedding and pillows you can buy. Our guests have the option of purchasing the same bed they have slept on and at least 20 guests have purchased the same beds we use,” she says. “We added baths in the ensuites of each tent, just to make it that extra bit special for people to have a really lovely stay.”
Since their opening in 2020, David and Tanya’s goal has been to create a luxury eco-friendly adventure experience that caters to everyone. “We aim to provide an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all guests, regardless of their backgrounds, demographics, identities, orientations or religions.”
OUTBACK to REEF
“Outback Queensland is not on everyone’s radar,” explains Tanya. “We offer a good product and we are ready to welcome visitors. We’d like to encourage more international tourists, to let them know that you can fly into Longreach from Brisbane, have two nights with us then go across to Winton and do the Red Dirt Tours, stay at the Rangelands glamping camps and then fly Winton to Townsville and experience the Reef.”
Accommodation and facilities
- 15 Luxury Glamping Tents feature beautiful ensuite bathrooms
- Under a five minute drive from downtown Longreach, Airport and Railway Station
Facilities include:
- Kitchenette with Delonghi appliances, refrigerator, microwave and coffee plunger
- Luxury linen and pillows
- Adventure Swags for the kids
- Split system reverse cycle air-conditioners
- Bamboo remote control ceiling fan
- Ensuite with rainwater shower and either an indoor bath (Gidyea Tent) or outdoor bath (Mulga Tent)
- Dindi Naturals toiletries
- Private deck and barbecue
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Nibbles platters and Barbecue Packs are available for purchase
- Sunset viewing deck and outdoor bar area available for guests.
There are two luxury safari Mulga Tents specifically designed for accessibility. Each has step free entry with level thresholds throughout, sliding doors, level access ensuite bathroom, accessible toilet, roll in shower, handrails and shower chair.
The oversized Mulga Tents offer guests the choice of either 1 x King bed or 2 x Long Singles.
Guest car parking is conveniently located within easy reach of tents and there are a number of staff-operated golf buggies suitable for transporting guests and luggage around the property on request. All tents can be accessed directly by emergency vehicles if required.
Future Plans
Tanya is in the process of getting Mitchell Grass Retreat certified through ecotourism Australia. And she’s hoping to run Yoga Retreats.
Awards
“We recently won gold at the Queensland tourism awards for ‘Best unique accommodation in Queensland’. We also won this last year. We head to Darwin on the March 15, 2024 as a finalist in the Australian tourism awards. In 2021 we were awarded “gold” for best new tourism business. And we have been awarded a “bronze” for Unique Accommodation in the Australian Tourism Awards,” says Tanya proudly.
Eco Friendly
Energy conservation: Installed solar panels to reduce energy volume from the main grid and LED bulbs in all light fixtures use 75% less energy and last much longer.
Waste reduction & efficiency efforts: Dindi Naturals Toiletries are in guest ensuites. These products are produced in small batches, by hand, using high quality, bio-active, palm oil free and cruelty free ingredients. Toiletries are provided in refillable dispensers. Traditional mops have been with special microfibre mops for cleaning tents. This means less water and less chemicals.
Supporting local suppliers:
- Breakfast basket pastries & breads are supplied by a local Longreach cafe
- BBQ pack meats are supplied by a local butcher using locally sourced meats
- Local tradespeople are used for all onsite work
- Mitchell Retreat package and promote other local tourism activities and tour.
Energy conservation
- Solar panels installed to reduce energy volume from the main grid.
- LED bulbs are in all light fixtures, they use 75% less energy and last longer.
Longreach Experiences
Observe the birdlife
Ornithologists will enjoy the variety of birds at Mitchell Grass Retreat, including a Finches, magpies, galahs, tawny frogmouth, corellas, brolgas, emus
Helicopter
For a special occasion you can arrange a flight with Queensland Helicopters. The chopper lands at Mitchell Grass Retreat and picks up guests for their flights.
Train Trips
Consider a half day rail tour to Ilfracombe on Outback Aussie Rail tour. A town established in 1891, Ilfracombe was a transport hub for Wellshot Station, a large sheep station in Outback Queensland. The tour includes a lunch at the historic Wellshot Hotel. Longreach Railway Station is three minute drive from Mitchell Grass Retreat.
Take a stagecoach ride
Climb aboard an old stagecoach, and take a ride through town and out along a bush track where the stagecoach driver lets the horses “go” for a short gallop’ just so you can experience a ride as the pioneers would have done. Outback Pioneer Stagecoach experience. After the experience, head back into town for an outback Smoko (morning tea), watch a classic bush movie in the old theatrette and enjoy the Old Time Tent Show – they way they would have entertained back in the Pioneering days.
Eating out in Longreach
One of my favourite places to eat in Longreach is The Branch located in Longreach’s main street inside the renovated old Bank building. Owners Joanne and Brecken Curtis opened in 2021 – renovating the building to give it a fresh, modern appeal. As a nostalgic nod, they have retained the safe and the solid metal door that would have kept all the cash and treasures secure. The Branch came highly recommended by my brother, Pete, who was a regular traveller through Longreach when he worked for DPI’s Agricultural Department.
I loved this place so much I went back for breakfast AND dinner. On another visit to Longreach, I said to my traveling buddy, we must try The Branch for dinner. That evening we enjoyed the BEST steaks we both think we have ever had. On a Sunday morning, the lines go out the door and onto the street. So everyone knows the Branch is the place to enjoy good food, in comfortable surroundings.
Joanne and Brecken are husband and wife and moved to the area many years ago. You’ll often see Joanne working at The Branch and at night time you might come across her husband Brecken. Raising a young family, this couple know how to make a successful new venture work – and that you have to put in a few long hours. I cannot recommend this place enough. You will not be disappointed by the food, the friendly staff and the atmosphere.
Longreach and the surrounding region, including Winton has much to offer the road tripper, or someone flying in without a car, like me. I used bus and coaches (tours) to get around. I met some incredibly friendly people. The history and the stories of country characters past and present will have you intrigued. I’ll be writing a post on Winton next – another regional town brimming with history and experiences.
Go discover Outback Queensland if you haven’t already!
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