THE 2005 GREAT OUTBACK CATTLE DRIVE
Welcome to The 2005 Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive,
the ultimate Australian Outback experience in 2005. The
Outback is the geographical and spiritual heart of Australia.
An ancient land with some of the oldest geology on the planet,
inhibited by the mystic spirits of the Aboriginal dreamtime.
It's a vast, uncompromising land that turns heroes and stories
into legends.
Over six unforgettable weeks, some of Australia's most
famous and experienced drovers are uniting to drove 600 head
of cattle by horseback down the legendary Birdsville Track and
relive one of the world's greatest cattle drives.
The journey covers 514 kilometres of contrasting terrain.
And you can be right there in the saddle alongside them.
Discover the secrets of horsemanship passed from generation to
generation. Witness spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Hear
stories of Aboriginal culture and life on an Outback station.
Every night, you'll stay in a village of luxury tents where
you'll enjoy excellent facilities, a bar and plenty of food
including uniquely Australian campfire cooking, and a
wonderful social atmosphere.
Experienced riders, weekend riders and people who’ve never
ridden at all are welcome. You can join the Cattle Drive for
four to six days (or more) on any of its four stages, each
with its own distinct highlights. Within each stage are two to
three tours of varying duration.
STAGE 1 THE CHANNEL COUNTRY
The Channel Country of the Birdsville Track is very
pleasing to the eye. It gives you the chance to drive the
cattle through the Simpson Desert sand dunes system, which
incorporates the Diamantina River and Goyders Lagoon, a focal
point of this stage. The countryside is sandy with splendid
waterholes, bird life and even some shade. A choice of three
tours are available within The Channel Country; Dickeree Camp
(CD 01), Andrewilla Waterhole Camp (CD 02) and Potato Tin Camp
(CD 03).
STAGE 2 THE GIBBER PLAINS
Stage two takes you through the Sturt Stony Desert, so
named for its carpet of ironstone "gibbers" or small round
stones. The continuation of the Simpson Desert Dunes travels
through Mt Gason, Kilnibar Creek, Lake Howitt and into the
Mungerannie Gap, a unique moonscape. This stage of the drove
will feature brilliant vistas and night skies. The remoteness
and horizons are clearly evident as the impact of the desert
is only broken by the Artesian Bore Wells. A choice of two
tours is available within The Gibber Plains Country; Mt Gason
Camp (CD 04) and Mungerannie Gap Camp (CD 05).
STAGE 3 THE COOPER BASIN
Stage three of the journey, the Cooper Basin, continues
through the desert passing Etadunna Station before traversing
the Cooper Creek system. When this magnificent waterway
floods, it creates a lush oasis that lures birds and animals
for hundreds of kilometres, and has featured in much
Australian bush poetry and story telling. A choice of two
tours is available within The Cooper Basin Country; Cooper
Creek Camp (CD 06) and Dulkaninna Creek Camp (CD
07).
STAGE 4 MARREE
On the final leg of the journey you'll drive the cattle
through Dulkaninna and Clayton Stations, through the Dog
Fence, across the salt plains of Lake Harry and into the town
of Marree. The Grand Finale includes Marree's traditional bush
race meeting and other celebrations. The Outback town of
Marree is rich in Afghan and Outback transport history and
will be ready to offer a heroic welcome to weary travellers at
the end of the drove. Only one droving tour is available
during this stage, the finale (CD 08). An accommodation
package incorporating bed, dinner and breakfast is available
at Marree (CD 09).
top ^
For detailed itineraries - Just ask! | 
