_edited.png)
Qantas Founders Museum
The Qantas Founders Museum tells the history of Australia's national airline from its early beginnings in the Outback in the 1920s to the present day. It is brought to life through various life-sized exhibits, historical artifacts and interactive displays.
We enjoyed the Economy Experience, which includes entry to the Museum’s Main Entrance Hall and the National Heritage Hangar. The museum is open daily from 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and has a lovely cafe and gift shop.
There is a range of other experiences, including tours of the Airpark, the undercover area with the 747, 707 and other planes you can see on the way in. You can also do a Wing Walk and Luminescent Longreach, the evening light show.
The first Qantas aircraft was the Avro 504K; a 100 horsepower engine powered it and could carry the pilot and two passengers. It was sold in 1926, and today, you can see a high-quality replica in the museum.
Climb aboard and test your flying skills in the world’s only Bristol Fighter simulator, the aircraft that Qantas founders Paul McGinness and Hudson Fysh flew together during World War One.
On your way to the Heritage Hangar, you can wander around the Catalina flying boat and climb aboard for a closer look; this plane was originally a fire-bomber in the USA, Canada and Spain.
The National Heritage-listed Qantas Hangar was completed in August 1922 and was the permanent home of the fledgling airline. It now houses several replica aircraft and other memorabilia.
In 1924, the four-passenger De Havilland DH-50 was the first purpose-designed aircraft Qantas used. Before this, the fleet consisted of converted military planes. Between 1926 and 1929, Qantas built seven De Havilland DH-50s in the now Heritage Listed Hangar. You can see “Iris”, a replica, in the hangar.
In 1929, Qantas purchased two new De Havilland DH61 Giant Moth Aircraft, which could carry eight passengers. However, Qantas removed the front seat and replaced it with a toilet, becoming the first airline in Australia with this convenience. You can see “Apollo,” a replica, in the hangar.
Tours include Sunset Dinner Cruises, Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience, Historic Rail Excursions, Nogo Stations Tours and Trips to Winton.
Comments