Transfer Option:

How does the Cattle Drive work?
Each Cattle Drive tour has its own highlights and each is five days and four nights.

As you set off on your day's adventure, a support crew tends camp. The camp is a village of superior tent accommodation with facilities including hot showers, flushing toilets, bar, library and a kitchen of top caterers specialising in Australian cuisine.

Every tour has its own camp - a vibrant and comfortable environment where you can unwind and share stories with other riders.

Enjoy superb catering and unwind beside a roaring campfire under a canopy of stars.

Typical day
A typical day will begin with an early breakfast before you are transferred out to the drovers, horses and cattle. You will then partake in the morning drove before stopping for lunch, which will be brought to you. While you are droving you will have an excellent opportunity to speak with the drovers and farriers and learn about droving, Outback history and the countryside.

After lunch you will drove cattle for the remainder of the afternoon before being transferred back to your campsite, where you will have free time. If you wish, you can take a hot refreshing shower, read from the on site camp library or simply have a cold beverage bought from the bar. The evening meal will be served, usually in the on site marquee. After dinner relax by the campfire where tales are often told about the Outback's rich history.

How many hours approximately will I have on horseback per day?
The daily droving distance varies each day depending on a variety of factors including terrain, condition of cattle, and availability of food and water for the stock, but is approximately 14 kilometres. On most full days of droving, the ride begin at approximately 7.30am/8.00am through to 11.00am/11.30am when the cattle, drovers and participants stop and have lunch. Then it's back on the horses around 1.00pm/1.30pm for a full afternoon of droving until approximately 4.00pm/5.00pm.

On your day of arrival, you will have lunch and then head out to get saddled up and meet or be matched with a horse then ride and /or assist the drovers to yard the cattle.

Do I have to drove everyday?
No, you can stay at the campsite any day during your tour and relax, or on days three and four of each tour you have the option of taking a guided coach tour featuring surrounding attractions and points of interest. On some tours there is also the opportunity to purchase an optional extra of a scenic flight or camel tour.

Day 1 - Arrive 11:00am at Anna Creek Campsite. Enjoy the official welcome briefing, settle into the camp and have lunch. Transfer to the herd and meet the droving and farrier teams before being matched with your horse. After you get acquainted, you'll spend your first afternoon droving cattle! Return to the camp, where your evening meal will be served. The open fire will be a great place to get to know the members of your group.. (Meals - Lunch and Dinner)

Day 2, 3, 4  - Each morning after breakfast you will be transferred to the horses where your droving will commence. The cattle will move some 14km each day, so your droving departure and pick-up points will change. Lunch is delivered to you as the cattle rest and feed.

Take the opportunity to chat to the drovers and farriers during the day. Upon returning to Camp in late afternoon, you'll find hot showers, the camp library, and cold drinks at the bar (alcohol is available for purchase). The evening meal will vary from buffet style (served in the on-site marquee) to camp-oven meals cooked on the campfire. Dinner is often accompanied by tales from the Outback - including yours!

On days 3 and 4 you are invited to join a complimentary coach tour to take in more of the highlights and history of the surrounding area (optional). Scenic flights are also available at an additional cost. (Meals - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 5 - Enjoy breakfast then farewell your Outback home of Anna Creek Campsite at 10:00am. (Meal - Breakfast)

Wildlife and bugs
There may be opportunities to see native wildlife such as birds, lizards and kangaroos. Snakes, mosquitoes, flies and dingos are among the animals you may encounter. Every effort will be made to keep the campsite clear of snakes, which are naturally very shy.

Staff ratio and overall group size?
Staff ratio will be approximately one staff member per two guests, with approximately 70 guests per tour. 

Can I extend my stay?
You are more than welcome to purchase more than one tour. If you are considering this option you must confirm at the time of booking due to limited availability. 
 
What happens if I purchase two or more consecutive tours?
After one tour concludes and before the next tour commences, usually a day, there will be a set activity. An additional cost will apply per night per person and this includes food and accommodation.

Weather will vary over the five weeks of the Cattle Drive, however most days are warm and beautifully clear, with daily temperatures ranging from 16 - 35 degrees Celsius (60 - 95 Fahrenheit). At sunset the temperature can drop quickly and the nights can be cold.

We aim to make your camping adventure as easy and comfortable as possible. We will provide all of your camping requirements but you will need to bring clothes to cater for all weather conditions, appropriate riding shoes, wide brim hat, tissues, toiletries (such as toothbrush, toothpaste, face washer, soap, deodorant/antiperspirant, shampoo and conditioner, sun block, lip balm and moisturiser). Talcum powder is useful to soothe any chafing. Also include sunglasses, camera, film and extra batteries.

Comfortable clothes should be worn, with long sleeve shirts and a hat recommended for sun protection. Enclosed shoes must be worn while riding, and it is recommended a boot with a heel be worn to ensure stability within the stirrup. It can become very cold at night so it's a good idea to wear layers of clothing and add or subtract to your own comfort. Bring a raincoat in case of wet weather. Exclusive Cattle Drive attire can be purchased before or during your tour.

What kind of luggage can I bring?
It is recommended that you use a soft-sided bag that is dust proof. To assist with transfer of your luggage between camps, please ensure that all bags are clearly tagged with your name. Please check with your travel agent in relation to luggage restrictions, especially if travelling by air.

Communications
The Outback is a remote area. There is no mobile telephone coverage when on the Cattle Drive. Public pay telephones are available at most Outback towns, however when you are at camp you will not be able to access these. For all other areas along the route staff will have satellite telephones available for emergencies only. For your safety, our campsites are also equipped with HF (Flying Doctor) radio, UHF radio and satellite telephone. These services are not available for personal use.

Will there be power available for me to use?
The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2010 campsites will be powered by electricity (generator facilities). All shower block facilities will have power access for guests to use for personal accessories such as hairdryers and electric shavers. Australia's electricity voltage is 240 volts AC. It is advisable for travellers bringing 110 volt electrical appliances that a small 110 volt transformer and plug conversion kit is purchased before departure. 

We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance (including cancellation insurance) to cover any unforeseen occurrences.

Our packages are based on camping with superior facilities. Your tent will form a part of a tent village that is set up for you at your official campsite. Campsites remain at the same setting throughout the tour. Accommodation while on tour is on a twin share basis. The tents have been designed with a roll down canvas divider between the camp beds for those wanting more privacy.

A limited number of single supplements will be available and will incur an additional cost. If you are travelling alone and do not wish to pay the single supplement we will ensure that you share a tent with a person of the same gender.

Please note all tents are non-smoking.

Meals
All meals are provided including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The number of meals you receive on a particular day will vary depending on your arrival and departure time. Please see itinerary.

Breakfast includes a hot buffet breakfast.

Dinner includes two courses. They may be served buffet style in the on site marquee, or cooked on the campfire. Australian cuisine will be featured, with selection varied. Vegetarian options and special dietary requests are catered for - please confirm this at time of booking. All meals are served at set times and the tour group eats together. In most instances lunch is delivered to you on your droving route as you rest while the cattle and drovers have their break. Breakfast and dinner are served at the campsite.

Please outline your special dietary requirements to your travel agent at the time of booking so appropriate arrangements can be made.

What drinks will be provided?
Non-alcoholic drinks including unlimited water, soft drink, tea and coffee and are included in the tour price. Beer, wine and spirits can be purchased from our cash bar. The bar will be open from approximately 4pm to midnight every day.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

People of any horse riding ability can take part. Horse tailers will divide people into groups and match people to horses that suit their experience level. Horses are only ridden at a walking pace.

The activities associated with The Great Aussie Cattle Drive 2010 may require a greater than normal level of physical exertion. All participants need to be aware of their physical limitations and ensure that their fitness is at a suitable level before commencing the tour. 

All riders will be required to wear helmets while riding horses.

Tack:		Australian Stock Saddles
Horses:		Australian Stock Horses
Pace:		Some long riding days. Mostly at a walk herding the cattle.. | Walk | Trot |
Level:		(2 to 4 out of 5)    Novice +
Age:		Min 18	Max 74
Weight:		Max 240 lbs
Riders:		Min 10 riders	Max 70 riders

People of any horse riding ability can take part. Horse tailers will divide people into groups and match people to horses that suit their experience level. Horses are only ridden at a walking pace.

The activities associated with The Great Aussie Cattle Drive 2010 may require a greater than normal level of physical exertion. All participants need to be aware of their physical limitations and ensure that their fitness is at a suitable level before commencing the tour. 

All riders will be required to wear helmets while riding horses.

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in chart.

Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) those continuing their journey to a third country (who hold confirmation of booking and documentation to enter country) within eight hours of arriving in Australia.

All other nationals must obtain a transit visa before travel if intending to remain in Australia no longer than 72 hours and a stopover is intended. Transit visas are free of charge.
Note: (a) Not all airports remain open all night; travellers should check with the airline. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the Department of Immigration at the high commission to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
Australian visa regulations (including visa application charges) change from time to time. The information provided here is valid at the time of publication, but visitors should check that this information is still current by visiting the Department of Immigration online (website: www.immi.gov.au) or by calling the Australian Immigration and Citizenship 24-hour Information Service (tel: 0906 550 8900, in the UK; calls cost £1 per minute).

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visas
The ETA is an electronically stored authority for travel to Australia for tourism, short-term business or elective study purposes, that allows multiple entries for stays of up to three months for people from certain countries (see below). The ETA is valid for 12 months from date of issue, or for the life of the passport if it is less than 12 months. An ETA is invisible and therefore will not show up in your passport.

All nationals referred to in the chart are eligible for an ETA except: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia.

There are also student visas, employers' visas for overseas workers and sponsored family visitor visas available; enquire at the Australian high commission.
Types of Visa and Cost
ETAs: Visitor/Short Validity Business: Free of charge. Business Visitor (Long Validity): A$75.

Note: A service fee of A$20 is charged when applying for an ETA online through the DIMIA ETA website. Some travel agents and airlines issuing ETAs also charge a processing fee.

Non-ETAs: Tourist and Business Short-stay visas: A$75.

Visa fees are generally adjusted on 1 July each year.
Validity
Visitor ETAs are valid for 12 months from date of issue (or until the passport expires, whichever comes first) and permit multiple entries into Australia for a stay of up to three months on each visit. Short Validity Business ETAs are valid for 12 months from date of issue (or until the passport expires, whichever comes first) with stays of up to three months on each visit and can be used for single or multiple entry travel. Business Visitor (Long Validity) ETAs are valid for 10 years (or the life of the passport) and permit multiple entries for a stay of up to three months for each visit.

For non-ETA visas, the validity varies according to the type of visa, the purpose of the trip and the validity of the passport. Visas are usually valid from three to 12 months. The validity will be stated on the visa label in your passport.
Applications to:
ETA: Authorised travel agents or airlines; by telephone; some nationals may apply online through the main Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) (website: www.eta.immi.gov.au) (Visitor and Short Validity Business ETAs only).

Non-ETA: Australian embassies, high commissions and consulates; see Contact Addresses.

There is a Tourist Short-Stay visa available online (website: www.eta.immi.gov.au) for all nationals referred to in chart above.
Working Days Required
ETA: When issued through DIMIA’s ETA website, or through travel agents or airline offices, usually processed and valid immediately or within three working days.
Non-ETA: 10-15 working days.