The Greatest Australian Outback Cattle Drive

  

What does my tour include?
Superior carpeted twin share tent accommodation at Anna Creek campsite including camp bed, sheets, quilt (duvet), pillow and towel.  If you would like a tent to yourself, there is an additional fee. Price available on application.

A fully maintained campsite with bathroom facilities including hot showers, hair dryers and flushing toilets. All meals stated as per itinerary (full breakfast, lunch, two-course dinner). Non-alcoholic drinks, including soft drinks, tea, coffee and drinking water. Bar available for alcohol purchases. Horse riding, including saddle, safety equipment and helmet.

Guided coach tours on days 3 and 4 of your tour featuring surrounding attractions and historic points of interest; this is offered as an alternative to droving. Exposure to Aboriginal and cultural experiences as offered by guides. Experienced staff including doctor and event management staff, professional drovers, farriers, horse tailers and vets.

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What are the additional costs?
Transfers to and from the tours. Optional activities, such as scenic light aircraft flights. Alcohol is not included in the cost of the tour however a fully licensed cash bar is available at your campsite. Please note: it is not possible to bring your own alcoholic beverages. Phone calls from any official campsite satellite phones in case of emergency will be charged at cost. Travel insurance, passport and visa fees (where required). Excess baggage charges, airport departure taxes. Items of a personal nature not specified in the itinerary.

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What will my days be like?

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 getting acquainted with your horse begin your experience of droving cattle in the remarkable Outback. Return to the camp, where your delicious evening meal will be served buffet style in the on-site marquee. The open fire will be a great place to get to know the members of your group. (Meals included lunch and dinner).

Days 2, 3, 4
Each morning after breakfast you will be transferred to the horses where your droving will commence. The cattle will move some 14 kilometres 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 droving team during the day. Returning to camp late afternoon, youll find hot showers, the camp library, and cold drinks at the bar (alcohol is available for purchase). The evening meal will be served in the on-site marquee and is often accompanied by tales from the Outback including your own.

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. These tours are offered as an alternative activity to droving and are included in the tour price. Scenic flights are also available at an additional cost. (Meals included breakfast, lunch and dinner).

Day 5
Enjoy breakfast then farewell your Outback home at 10:00am.

(please note this itinerary is subject to change)

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What is the accommodation like?
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 location throughout the tours. 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.

Please note all tents are non-smoking. 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.

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Do I need to bring any food or drinks with me?
You do not need to bring any food or drinks with you to your tour. 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. Meals are served at set times and the tour group eats together. In most instances lunch is delivered to you on your droving route, while breakfast and dinner are served at the campsite. Vegetarian options and special dietary requests are catered for; however please confirm this at time of booking.

Non-alcoholic drinks will be provided including drinking 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 each night. Please note that it is not possible to bring your own alcohol with you.

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Do I need to have ridden a horse before?
No, all horse riding ability levels are catered for. Horse tailers will divide people into groups and match them with horses that suit their experience level. Horses are ridden at a walking pace only.

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How many hours will I spend 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 but approximately 14 kilometres. Please note day 1 of each tour is a short droving day.

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Do I have to drove every day?
No, you can stay at the campsite any day during your tour and relax. On days 3 and 4 of each tour you have the option of taking a guided coach tour featuring surrounding attractions and points of interest (included in tour cost) or you can choose to purchase a scenic flight at an additional cost.

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Do I need to wear a helmet?
Yes. All riders will be required to wear helmets while riding horses.

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How do I get to and from my tour?
There are many different options to get to and from your Cattle Drive tour. Please note these costs are additional to the tour price.

By Coach - Drovers Express
The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive official tour bus service, Drovers Express, has been provided to ensure you arrive at your Cattle Drive campsite location with ease and on time.

By Air - Regional Express Airlines (REX)
You can fly in and out of Coober Pedy to reach your Cattle Drive tour with Australias largest independent regional airline, REX.

By Train - Great Southern Railway The Ghan
Experience one of the most fascinating rail journeys in the world from Adelaide or Alice Springs to Manguri rail siding (46 kilometres west of Coober Pedy) on the legendary Ghan.

Making your own way - Self Drive
Wherever youre coming from theres plenty to see and do in South Australia, as you make your way to The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive.

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Can I do more than one tour?
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. 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.

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Can I travel with a group?
Group travel is fine. Please let your travel agent know that you are travelling with a group. As accommodation is twin share, please specify to your travel agent who you wish to share with. There are no group concessions on The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2010 tour packages.

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What should I bring?
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 all personal belongings.
We suggest comfortable clothes to cater for all weather conditions. Long sleeve shirts and a hat is recommended for sun protection. Enclosed shoes must be worn while riding, and it is recommended a boot with a heel to ensure stability within the stirrup. It can become very cold at night so its a good idea to wear layers of clothing and add/subtract to your own comfort. Bring a raincoat in case of wet weather.

Personal items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, face washer, soap, deodorant/antiperspirant, shampoo and conditioner, sun block, lip balm, moisturiser, sunglasses, camera, film and extra batteries. Talcum powder is useful to soothe any chaffing.

Exclusive Cattle Drive attire will be available for purchase before or during your tour.
It is recommended that you use a soft-sided bag that is dust proof. To assist with transfer of your luggage ensure that all bags are clearly tagged with your name. Please check with your travel agent in relation to luggage restrictions relevant to any other travel you are undertaking, especially if taking a flight.
Tents cannot be secured and any valuables brought are the responsibility of the participant.  

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Will there be communications facilities?
The Outback is a remote area. There is no mobile coverage when on The Great Australian Outback 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 phones available for emergencies only. For your safety, our campsites are also equipped with HF (Flying Doctor) Radio, UHF Radio and satellite phone. These services are not available for personal use.

In an emergency, you may be contacted via the South Australian Tourism Commission and a message will be passed on to the relevant Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive campsite.

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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. Australias 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 prior to departure.

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Are there facilities for the disabled?
Unfortunately due to the hard terrain of the Outback, special facilities and specific technical equipment for the disabled are not available. Riders need to evaluate their own capabilities and capacity to be involved with the tour and how much their disability may affect their ability to ride safely. Medical clearance to take part in the event by a doctor may be required.

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Do I need to have any special vaccinations?
It is advised that all travellers on The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive are up to date with Tetanus injections.

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Should I purchase travel insurance?
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance (including cancellation insurance) to cover any unforeseen occurrences. Your travel agent should be able to assist. Personal travel insurance is not included in the tour price. In booking your tour, you acknowledge that personal travel insurance is your responsibility and that the South Australian Tourism Commission accepts no liability for any death, injury, sickness, damage or other loss whatsoever suffered by you.

Please note that costs associated with retrieval by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) are not covered under standard ambulance cover.  If you have private medical insurance ask your insurer if they cover RFDS retrieval.

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What will the weather be like?
Weather will vary over the duration of the drive, however between July and August most days are warm and beautifully clear, with daily temperatures ranging from 18 35 degree Celsius (60 - 95 F). At sunset the temperature can drop quickly and the nights can be very cold.

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Will I require money on tour?
Once you arrive at your campsite there are no facilities to exchange foreign currency, travellers cheques or withdraw cash. Money (cash or credit card) will be required to purchase alcoholic drinks at the bar on site. Over the period of your stay, merchandise will be available to purchase and credit card facilities will be provided. Optional activities are available such as scenic flights at an additional cost. If you are considering this option you must confirm at the time of booking your Cattle Drive tour due to limited availability.

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Are there any age restrictions?
Event management recommend that all participants are over 18 years of age and under 75 years of age. There are no concession or child prices available.
If you decide to bring a minor there is no triple share accommodation available. Child minding facilities are not provided and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

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Can I volunteer on The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive?
Volunteers play a vital part in the running of The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive. Joining the Cattle Drive team as a volunteer is a great way to experience such a unique event first hand. Roles are wide and varied, to register your interest contact us.

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