Qantas Founders Museum
Photo: Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons. — CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Explore Qantas Airways’ history at this Longreach museum, featuring aircraft exhibits, interactive displays, and a heritage-listed hangar.
Planning your visit
Qantas was founded in Longreach in 1920 — the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services, established to connect outback communities separated by enormous distances and poor roads. It is the third-oldest airline in the world still operating.
The museum stands beside the original 1922 hangar, which is heritage-listed and where the airline's first aircraft were assembled.
The aircraft are the substance and they are large: a Boeing 747, a 707 that was the airline's first jet, a 737 and a Catalina flying boat, all parked outside and open to enter. The 747 wing walk, harnessed onto the wing of a jumbo, is the museum's signature experience. Night light shows project onto the aircraft.
Longreach is deep in outback Queensland, over a thousand kilometres from Brisbane, and reaching it is a commitment.
Allow half a day. Bookable options include first-class experiences with aircraft access. Current availability is listed below.
Before you book
Where is Qantas Founders Museum?
Qantas Founders Museum is in Longreach, Australia. The map on this page marks its exact location.
How long should I allow for Qantas Founders Museum?
Allow half a day. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Do I need to book Qantas Founders Museum in advance?
Tickets can be bought on the door at quiet times, but booking ahead fixes the date and avoids the queue at busy ones. Live availability is shown on this page.