7th September – Monday
Today was spent at the Qantas Founders Museum. This museum and attraction was superb – so well done and very enjoyable. There are a number of options available which include the museum, a tour of a 747-200, a tour of the original 707 and a walk along the wing of the 747. We opted for the first three, feeling the cost of a wing walk wasn’t really warranted.
The museum contained displays outlining the history and foundation of Qantas, including the lives of the men responsible. There was even a replica of the original Avro, the first plane in Qantas’ fleet. Lots of other memorabilia, of course, including engines. Large models of the first five or six planes circled the room suspended from a track.
The tour of the 747-200 (the plane is 30 years old and no longer airworthy) took us underneath the belly of the plane and explained what all the little bits and pieces are for. Once inside, we saw the “black box” tucked away in the tail (last bit to reach the ground in case of an emergency), sat is business class seats (have improved dramatically in the last 30 years) and had a look in the cockpit.
The 707 was the first jet plane purchased by Qantas and was recovered and returned to Australia in 2009. The previous owner was a Saudi diplomat at the UN and the contract of sale doesn’t allow any further details of him to be made available. Also, places he ate at in the plane have been required to be removed and no photos may be taken inside the aircraft, unfortunately. Some of the taboo fittings have been removed but enough remains to show how the other half travel. Maximum number of seats – 14; timber panelling throughout, including galley; wooden dining table and large cocktail cabinet in guests’ cabin; queen size bed, lounge and ensuite in master quarters, and this includes a bidet as well as a couple of padded toilets. The toilets actually look like thickly padded, leather armchairs and even the pilot has his own!
The original Qantas hangar and workshop are also open for viewing, complete with different workshop areas, engines and a plane. Departure is through the gift shop, of course.
The caravan park provides entertainment a number of times during the week and this afternoon it was Ron Pearce’s Australiana and Cockatoos – performing cockatoos and a 4 metre carpet python. Whilst looking for postcards in the caravan park office this afternoon, we discovered four very large snakes in cages among the souvenirs and bickies!
Today was spent at the Qantas Founders Museum. This museum and attraction was superb – so well done and very enjoyable. There are a number of options available which include the museum, a tour of a 747-200, a tour of the original 707 and a walk along the wing of the 747. We opted for the first three, feeling the cost of a wing walk wasn’t really warranted.
The museum contained displays outlining the history and foundation of Qantas, including the lives of the men responsible. There was even a replica of the original Avro, the first plane in Qantas’ fleet. Lots of other memorabilia, of course, including engines. Large models of the first five or six planes circled the room suspended from a track.
The tour of the 747-200 (the plane is 30 years old and no longer airworthy) took us underneath the belly of the plane and explained what all the little bits and pieces are for. Once inside, we saw the “black box” tucked away in the tail (last bit to reach the ground in case of an emergency), sat is business class seats (have improved dramatically in the last 30 years) and had a look in the cockpit.
The 707 was the first jet plane purchased by Qantas and was recovered and returned to Australia in 2009. The previous owner was a Saudi diplomat at the UN and the contract of sale doesn’t allow any further details of him to be made available. Also, places he ate at in the plane have been required to be removed and no photos may be taken inside the aircraft, unfortunately. Some of the taboo fittings have been removed but enough remains to show how the other half travel. Maximum number of seats – 14; timber panelling throughout, including galley; wooden dining table and large cocktail cabinet in guests’ cabin; queen size bed, lounge and ensuite in master quarters, and this includes a bidet as well as a couple of padded toilets. The toilets actually look like thickly padded, leather armchairs and even the pilot has his own!
The original Qantas hangar and workshop are also open for viewing, complete with different workshop areas, engines and a plane. Departure is through the gift shop, of course.
The caravan park provides entertainment a number of times during the week and this afternoon it was Ron Pearce’s Australiana and Cockatoos – performing cockatoos and a 4 metre carpet python. Whilst looking for postcards in the caravan park office this afternoon, we discovered four very large snakes in cages among the souvenirs and bickies!
2 comments:
Sounds like you're still having fun!
I've made it back home with the new car, and will be returning your car back home this evening.
Won't be long before you guys are back too.
Hi I've made it to NY - amazing place - just like the movies only much much much bigger - unreal. Spent 5 hours at Macys stores today!! Also went to World Trade Centre/ground zero - very sad. Did bus tour around the island - didn't realise how big the place was. Hotel only 2 blocks from Times Square - went there yesterday. going to do museums tomorrow and hopefully Statue of Liberty. Will catch up on your blog later. Not sure if outlook is working.
See you
Anonymous!!!
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