Two 52-year-old Queensland-built, 2000 class ‘Silver Bullet’ railmotors (lightweight railcars) are boosting tourism by bringing the romance of rail to outback Longreach.
Longreach-based Outback Rail Adventures’ facilities, including workshop and storage area and rail sidings, have been officially opened by assistant tourism minister Michael Healy.
The $2.7 million tourism infrastructure project supports Silver Bullet railmotors RM2034 and RM2036 on day trips across the flood plains of the Thomson River, Ilfracombe and sunset dinner tours to the Darr River.
Outback Rail Adventures is an initiative of Alan and Sue Smith, owners of Outback Aussie Tours, which has been operating for more than 35 years.
The new Outback visitor experience is one of 16 backed by the State Government’s Outback Tourism Infrastructure Fund.
Outback Rail Adventures has created 10 operational jobs and is predicted to bring an extra 6000 visitors to Longreach, generating $3 million for the visitor economy annually.
The iconic 17-metre long ‘Silver Bullet’ railmotors were built in 1971 for passenger services on Brisbane’s southside and the North Coast Line to Gympie and Bundaberg.
Outback visitor experiences supported by the Fund are tipped to attract 111,000 visitors generating more than $100m and 230 Queensland jobs.
“Outback Rail Adventures is another important milestone in Outback Queensland’s post-pandemic tourism recovery,” Healy said.
“This is a wonderful way to experience the essence of Queensland’s great Outback lifestyle and the romance of rail in a truly stunning and historic part of our State.
“Outback Rail Adventures is on track with plans in train to expand into world-class regional tours across multiple days.
“As one of 29 new tourism experiences in Queensland’s vast outback, there’s never been a better time to pack a bag and go west for the holiday adventure of a lifetime.”
Smith said that the first phase of the Outback Rail Adventure would offer the Great Darr River Run, the Silver Tail Sunset, the Historic Ilfracombe Excursion and the Old Bluey’s Flyer.
“All going well, future phases will include trips to Barcaldine, Emerald and Winton,” he said.