The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2010
The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive is on the move again.
You have the rare opportunity to ride with some of Australia's finest horsemen and experience a very real part of Australian history, the droving of cattle by horseback through the Outback wilderness. Join a tour, each with its own distinct highlights and camp village. Whether you're an experienced horse rider or a beginner, you'll be matched with a horse to suit your abilities. As you set off on your day's adventure, a support crew tends camp. This is a 'village' of superior tent accommodation enjoying excellent facilities including hot showers, flushing toilets, a bar, a library and a kitchen of top caterers specialising in Australian cuisine. Each evening unwind alongside a campfire beneath a canopy of desert stars. Saddle up for the ultimate Outback Cattle droving experience!
As well as keeping the herd moving, you'll soon find yourself part of a very remarkable landscape. From Oodnadatta to Marree, you'll cross haunting plains of stone and sand, passing ancient uplifts, bubbling springs and dazzling salt lakes. But you'll also encounter the peoples of the Oodnadatta Track, past and present - the indigenous Arabunna peoples, the pioneers and the men and women who still make their living in this extraordinary environment.
Each evening you'll return to a village of superior tent accommodation. Excellent facilities will include a bar, a library, hot showers and flushing toilets, superb catering and most importantly the roaring campfire beneath a canopy of desert stars - the place to retell your adventures of the day.
You can join the Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2010 on one (or more) of six tours. Each lasts four nights and five days and each has its own distinct highlights.
To follow are each of these tours for your consideration. We very much look forward to your riding with us on the Oodnadatta Track. Saddle up for 2010 - and be part of one of the world's greatest travel experiences.
For each stage of the The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2010 you'll 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.
TOUR 1 Dawn of the Cattle Drive
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.
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 located in 1872, resisting the effects of drought, flood and adverse economic conditions - the only property in the region to have done so.
On your first afternoon, you'll be a part of the 'handover and counting of cattle', the official start of the Drive. Next morning it's down to business. The scenery is spectacular with sandy dunes & wide flat corridors covered with native plants such as hopbush and horse mulga. You will follow the remains of the original Ghan railway track as well as what’s left of the Overland Telegraph line - critical in the settling of Australia’s interior. Hear stories of the settlers, their successes and failures along with historical accounts by descendants from original inhabitants, the indigenous people.
You'll 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.
TOUR 2 Drovers Crossing
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 located in 1872, resisting the effects of drought, flood and adverse economic conditions - the only property in the region to have done so.
Cattle droving is thirsty business. So the outpost of William Creek - complete with roadhouse, campsite, racetrack, airport and ‘rocket park’ will make for a very special stop. With a population of less than 10, it’s often claimed to be Australia’s smallest town. What’s beyond dispute is the fact it’s home to one of Australia’s most isolated pubs. What can we say about the William Creek Hotel? It’s probably best left as a surprise - but suffice to say, it’s like no other!
Over your 50-odd-kilometre journey you will experience diverse landscapes. Watch as the scenery changes from gravely clays with scattered river red gum and coolibah above lemon scented grass to undulating stony tableland and then into deep red to 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.
TOUR 3 Kidman Country
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 located in 1872, resisting the effects of drought, flood and adverse economic conditions - the only property in the region to have done so.
Begin your tour in a town home to one of Australia’s most isolated pubs- William Creek. With a population of less than 10 it is often claimed to be Australia’s smallest town. Departing from William Creek you will have an opportunity to explore the land that makes up the world’s largest cattle station, Anna Creek. As you travel across deep red sandy dunes keep you eyes out for historic farm relics left by the drovers of the past. Although the creeks are dry, seasonal rains often leave the desert vibrant with plants and animals.
You will be crossing the historical Oodnadatta Track following the remains of the original Ghan railway track as well as what's left of the Overland Telegraph line - both critical in the settling of Australia's interior. You'll hear the stories of the settlers, their successes and failures along with historical accounts by descendants from original inhabitants, the indigenous people. Their stories will be told - stories of survival, stories of trade and stories of the sacred Dreaming.
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.
TOUR 4 Cattle Kings
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 located in 1872, resisting the effects of drought, flood and adverse economic conditions - the only property in the region to have done so.
The scenery is spectacular with sandy dunes & wide flat corridors covered with native plants such as hopbush and horse mulga. You will follow the remains of the original Ghan railway track as well as what’s left of the Overland Telegraph line - critical in the settling of Australia’s interior. Hear stories of the settlers, their successes and failures along with historical accounts by descendants from original inhabitants, the indigenous people.
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.
TOUR 5 Ringers Run
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 located in 1872, resisting the effects of drought, flood and adverse economic conditions - the only property in the region to have done so.
Cattle droving is thirsty business. So the outpost of William Creek - complete with roadhouse, campsite, racetrack, airport and ‘rocket park’ will make for a very special stop. With a population of less than 10, it’s often claimed to be Australia’s smallest town. What’s beyond dispute is the fact it’s home to one of Australia’s most isolated pubs. What can we say about the William Creek Hotel? It’s probably best left as a surprise - but suffice to say, it’s like no other!
Over your 50-odd-kilometre journey you will experience diverse landscapes. Watch as the scenery changes from gravely clays with scattered river red gum and coolabah.
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.
TOUR 6 Cattle Drive Round
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 located in 1872, resisting the effects of drought, flood and adverse economic conditions - the only property in the region to have done so.
Begin your tour in a town home to one of Australia’s most isolated pubs- William Creek. With a population of less than 10 it is often claimed to be Australia’s smallest town. Departing from William Creek you will have an opportunity to explore the land that makes up the world’s largest cattle station, Anna Creek. As you travel across deep red sandy dunes keep you eyes out for historic farm relics left by the drovers of the past. Although the creeks are dry, seasonal rains often leave the desert vibrant with plants and animals.
You will be crossing the historical Oodnadatta Track following the remains of the original Ghan railway track as well as what's left of the Overland Telegraph line - both critical in the settling of Australia's interior. You'll hear the stories of the settlers, their successes and failures along with historical accounts by descendants from original inhabitants, the indigenous people. Their stories will be told - stories of survival, stories of trade and stories of the sacred Dreaming.
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.
This marks the official end of the Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2010 and there will no doubt be some rejoicing in the nearby town of William Creek. You will be welcome to join in the celebration, which will almost certainly be a spirited affair in fine Outback tradition.
Your village of superior tented accommodation is Anna Creek Campsite, located 26km from William Creek.
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