THE STORY

On legendary cattle drives of old, thousands of cattle were herded down the Birdsville Track, the spiritual heart of Australia.

Droving has been a means of living for many people in the Australian outback. The boss drovers were responsible for their staff, cattle and horses. The aim of droving cattle was to take cattle from one point to another and have them arrive in better, or at least the same, condition as they were at the beginning of the drive. Maintaining the health of the horses was also an important aim of any drive. For these reasons stock were always walked.

In 2002, a series of events and festivals were held as part of the Year of the Outback to celebrate the bush, droving and pioneering history of Australia's vast outback. A highlight of these festivities was the recreation of the splendour and romance of the legendary cattle drives, a 515 kilometre (320 mile) journey down the dusty Birdsville Track, known as The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive.

Following on from the success of the 2002 event, The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive was held as a stand alone event in 2005, with the aim of supporting the tourism strategies of the South Australian Tourism Commission and Tourism Australia in promoting Australia and the Outback to the world. The journey along the Birdsville track was led by Australia's most famous and experienced drovers and involved 500 head of cattle and 120 horses, with participants living and breathing the Outback experience each day.

The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive will once again showcase the wonder and beauty of the Outback, this time through a journey down the rugged terrain of the legendary Oodnadatta Track.

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