Aussie Cattle Drive

Introduction
South Australia Australia

Experience the ride of a lifetime on your real Australian Outback adventure!
The Great Aussie Cattle Drive is on the move again. Five hundred head of cattle and a swag of adventure stories abound on one of the most evocative desert trails in Australia, the Oodnadatta Track!

It's your chance to ride with some of Australia's finest drovers, to see inspiring Outback landscapes and to make firm new friends.

At the end of it, you'll have unforgettable adventure stories to take home with you.

You don't have to be an experienced horse rider to take part. New riders and riders at all levels enjoy the friendship and adventure of the Cattle Drive. 

Located on Anna Creek Station, you have the rare opportunity to enter the world's largest cattle station, measuring some 26,000 square kilometres (5.5million acres), which is roughly the size of Belgium. The station has been continuously occupied since it was established in the 1800's, resisting the effects of drought, flood and adverse economic conditions - the only property in the region to have done so. 

Over your 50-odd-kilometre journey you will experience many diverse landscapes. Watch as the scenery changes from gravely clays with scattered river red gum, coolibah and lemon scented grass to undulating stony tableland and yet again into deep red and yellow sand dunes with sandy clay swales.

You can do as much or as little of this cattle drive as you wish! Optional coach tours on Days 3 and 4 are available to show you further regional highlights and histories. Experience the Outback from a unique vantage point and join a scenic flight at an additional cost.

Your village of superior tented accommodation is Anna Creek Campsite, located 26km from William Creek.

There will be 6 departures for 2010:
Dawn of the Cattle Drive  July 30 to Aug 3
Drovers Crossing             Aug 4 to 8
Kidman Country              Aug 9 to 13
Cattle Kings                     Aug 15 to 19
Ringers Run                     Aug 20 to 24
Cattle Drive Round Up     Aug 25 to 29

Each tour lasts four nights and five days and provides a once-in-a-lifetime Australian holiday experience.

The beginning of an historic journey, a unique journey - your journey. Get ready to sit back and be apart of an historical re-enactment, moving a real herd through real outback wilderness.

Accomodation

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.

Riding

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.

Itinerary

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.

Rates and Dates for Aussie Cattle Drive

Dates Note: Other dates are available on request (in off season rides would be from the farm and not into the park)

Other Info
Meeting: Anna Creek
Airport: Adelaide
Transfer: Adelaide to Anna Creek (bus or train) not included

Climate:

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.