event & function centre
in the Heart of outback Queensland - Longreach
Weddings - Tour Groups - Conferences - Functions - Workshops...
Escape to the heart of outback Queensland and
experience the magic of The Drover's Place,
your ultimate destination for unforgettable events.
With acres of established native gardens, a
breathtaking stone cottage, and a stunning
open-air pavilion, Cody & Rachael, Judy & Damien
bring your dream conferences, parties, weddings,
and corporate events to life in Longreach, Qld.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook or
send us an Email to plan your next event.
When the now part owners of The Drovers Place Cody and Rachael, decided to get married in their home town of Longreach, they knew finding the right venue was going to set the scene for entire celebration.
During this time they had the oppurtunty to meet Damien and Judy (who as fate would have it would become their future business partners) in the process of providing the Event Hire supplies for their daughter's wedding to be held at 'The Bruce Yeates Cottage'. Cody and Rachael fell in love with the venue as well.
At the time the Cottage and the function venue had been closed for almost 7 years, since the days of 'Cattleman's Bar & Grill'.
After both the wedding for Damien & Judy's daughter was finished, and Cody & Rachael had tied the knot at 'The Bruce Yeates Cottage', the two couples again put their thinking hats on and asked themselves...
Could others in Longreach, or even Queensland, and all of Australia, and the world enjoy a destination function and events centre like we have?
So began 'The Drovers Place'
Ranald Chandler, RM Williams, Hugh Sawrey & JG Walker - in front of the cottage during the build.
'Lena' the 80-year-old elephant from Soul Brothers Circus, hard at work.
The Beautiful Sandstone Cottage has a history all of it's own.
The Story behind The Cottage- RM Williams
The cottage has always been known as the 'Bruce Yeates Cottage' as Dr Yeates was the first Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Stockman's Hall of Fame.
The cottage is really beautiful and is constructed of blocks cut from stone from Leander Station, 30 kms east of Winton. The stone comes from a sand ridge on the Herbert Range.
RM Williams started building the cottage in 1981 when he was 70 and finished in 1982. He cut all the blocks himself and did the same for the marble floor slabs, which were brought all the way from Marble Bar for the building.
Slim Dusty laid the first stone of the building.
Dr Yeates died of leukemia in 2003 and to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Stockman's Hall of Fame a new plague was made, naming the cottage the 'Bruce Yeates Memorial Cottage'. RM Williams was good mates with Bruce Yeates and wanted the cottage to be named in his honour.
RM Williams had a diamond tipped rock cutting saw made especially for the stone cutting and it is still in the grounds on display. It was still cutting stone in 1990.
The timber was a hand cut by axe by a man from Bunderberg, Cyril Dahl and believe it or not, the short timber beams in the cottage were lifted into place by 'Lena' an 80-year-old elephant from Soul Brothers Circus. RM Williams couldn't get a crane and the circus was in town, so Lena did the job.
Story and photo's courtesy of:
Stockman's Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre - Facebook post July 2021
Stockman's Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre - Facebook post Aug 2019
Why book your next Event at...
Longreach - the Perfect destination
At the Heart of Queensland,
Longreach has so much to offer for your next event.
Longreach has daily flights the Brisbane,
Just over 2 hours fly time.
Home of the Stockmans Hall of Fame
& Outback Heritage Centre
Home of Qantas Founders Museum
Best Destination Function and Event Centre
- The Drovers Place -
.jpg)
Heritage Stone Cottage - Perfect for intimate private functions or as the perfect backdrop in photos for larger events.
Open-air Air Covered Pavillion - with Commercial Kitchen and Bar - you can't go past the space in this place. With seating configured to suit your event or function, make it your own with help from our design team.
Acres of native trees and gardens - perfect for Market Stands, and Showing your outdoor products and Long Lawn Lunches are our specialty.
On-site Chef - or Bring your own catering team.
Dry Hire - just hire the venue and the sections that you require, and bring your own hospitality staff.
Fully Catered and Staffed - Don't want the worry of the clean-up that night or the next day, choose our fully catered and staffed option.
Not a Restaurant - As we are not a restaurant, your event is our main priority.
Q: Can I book to have lunch for my tour group, after we have been at the Stockman's Hall of Fame & Qantas Founders Museum? Will my Tour Coach fit in the car park?
A: Tour lunch groups are a speciality, and you have the option of Long Lawn Lunch, or in the Pavillion, also take a tour of the grounds here as well as there are some exciting historical stories to discover... Oh and yes there is plently of room for the 'Big Tour Coaches'.
Q: Our family is from all over Australia, what services are there to have our son's wedding at your venue and in Longreach?A: Congrats to you both and to your son, Longreach is a great place to stay with many options for accommodation, but most of all there are so many wonderful places to see to connect with the Australian Outback History for your guests. We can certainly make your Son and new Daughter-in-law's wedding 'Event Memorable!' give the team a call and we can work out a customised plan for your family.
Q: My Friend is a Chef, and would like to cook for us for our event, are we just able to hire the venue including the kitchen?
A: That sounds like you are in for a treat, that is a 'Dry Hire', but have a chat to our team and we can work out which facilities you need for the duration of your hire, and if you need any other equipment, to make your event everything you hope it to be.
Do you have a question?
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Cody & Rachael
Cody & Rachael are co-owners and run the day to day operations. They fell in love with this venue at their wedding, and look forward to making your event just as memorable.
Damien & Judy
Damien & Judy are co-owners and are in the support role. After having their daughters wedding here. They could see the possiblities of a beautiful event and function venue, they teamed up with Cody and Rachael and hope your event is memorable.
Could this be you?
Do you have a passion for hospitality?
Enjoy making dreams events come to life?
Contact our team for more details...
COULD THIS BE YOU?
Do you have a passion for hospitality?Enjoy making dreams events come to life?Contact our team for more details...
