A survey in 1919
Hudson Fysh and Paul McGinness surveyed the ground route for the Great Air Race from Britain to Australia in 1919, and saw the promise of aviation for the vast distances of the outback.
Winton and Longreach
Backed by Fergus McMaster, who would be its first chairman, Qantas was incorporated at Winton in 1920. In 1921 its operations moved to Longreach, and Arthur Baird joined as its first paid employee and engineer.
The hangar of 1922
Qantas built its hangar at Longreach in 1922, the year of McGinness’s last flight for the company, the first air mail flight from Charleville to Longreach. The airline flew from Longreach until 1930, and the hangar is now National Heritage-listed.


