South Australia's Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2010

South Australia is a truly unforgettable place to holiday.

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In today's world of clutter, frenzied work lives and urban sprawl, we struggle to define an area as vast and isolated as the Outback. Early pioneers also grappled with its size and complexity - in 1888 it was written that "imaginations were exhausted in picturing the physical appearance of the mysterious interior".

It is this "mysterious interior", far from our coastal cities, shopping centres, office blocks and suburbs, that is the spiritual heart of Australia. At about a million square kilometres, it is one and a half times the size of Texas and its largest salt lake is 10 times the size of Singapore.

It is a land of myths, adventure and romance, where pioneers once carved out a place for themselves in a harsh landscape with a beauty all of its own.

In 2010, visitors from around the world have the chance to discover the secrets and wonders of the Outback by joining The Great Australian Cattle Drive and living out a re-enactment of the legendary cattle drives of old, as portrayed in the film, Australia.

Droving has been a means of living and a lifestyle for many people in the Australian Outback over the past 100 years. On Australian cattle drives, 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.

The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive showcases the unique culture of the Outback and the droving lifestyle, as participants journey through the vast Outback surrouding the legendary Oodnadatta Track droving cattle, from Friday 30 July - Sunday 29 August 2010.

Held over five unforgettable weeks, The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive will be an epic journey led by some of Australia's most famous and experienced drovers, involving approximately 500 head of cattle, up to 120 horses and visitors from across Australia and around the world.

The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive provides the opportunity for participants to escape from the noise and stress of modern day city life, and experience the space, silence, wonder and beauty of the Australian Outback: one of the world's truly unspoilt areas.

The event allows you to be right there in the saddle, amongst the drovers, discovering the secrets of horsemanship passed from generation to generation. The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive will provide you with memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Witness visually spectacular sunrises and sunsets, hear stories of Aboriginal culture and encounter life on an Outback station.

The Oodnadatta Track is a trail steeped in history. It passes through a mixture of plains and rolling countryside as it follows the original Ghan rail line from Marree to Oodnadatta. It was once a major Aboriginal trade route and also the track taken by explorer John McDougall Stuart when he made his historic crossing of the continent from south to north. The track reflects days of early European exploration and settlement with the most obvious historical relics being sleepers and railway ruins.

The Cattle Drive route will pass through William Creek, with a population of less than 10; it is arguably South Australia's smallest town. The town boasts its own roadhouse, campsite, racetrack, airport and 'rocket park', and it's the perfect place to soak up contemporary Outback culture. Droving is thirsty work, and you'll be able to quench your thirst at one of the world's most isolated pubs, the William Creek Hotel.

The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive is divided into six tours. Each tour is four nights and five days in duration with the campsite located on the biggest cattle station in the world, Anna Creek Station. These five-day droving tours are on offer to local, national, and international adventure seekers, providing a unique opportunity to relive the spirit of Australia's famous drovers and experience Aboriginal culture, all with a touch of Outback luxury. Both experienced and weekend riders - even those who have never ridden before, can be a part of the adventure of The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive.

Each night, you'll enjoy superb catering and unwind around a roaring campfire beneath a canopy of desert stars before retiring to a camp bed in a carpeted tent. Hot showers will be available to soak off the desert dust each evening, gather around the bar with your new friends over a cold drink where you can share your droving stories.

Optional scenic flights are available which give you a bird's eye view of Lake Eyre, Australia's largest salt lake. When dry (which is most of the time) the lake bed is a glistening sheet of white salt, and the weight of the lake's salt crust is estimated at 400 million tonnes.

There are many ways to join your tour on The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2010 from Adelaide and Alice Springs. Coober Pedy (serviced by Manguri train stop and Coober Pedy airport) is located 842kms from Adelaide is the main stopover point on route to the Cattle Drive. The Official Tour Bus Service, Drovers' Express, has been provided to ensure you arrive at your Cattle Drive campsite location with ease and on time. All meals and accommodation are provided; all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the contrasting scenery. Regional Express Australia's largest independent regional airline can fly you in and out of Coober Pedy or experience one of the most fascinating rail journeys in the world from Adelaide or Alice Springs to Manguri train stop  (46km West of Coober Pedy) on the legendary Ghan.

So if you've ever wanted to escape the city, get out of the rut and experience real adventure in real Australian style, The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive is one journey you can't afford to miss. It will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime, and transform your understanding of Australia and its landscape. As one participant of a previous Cattle Drive put it: "this is the essence of Australia. Night skies exploding with stars, clear days where you can see forever. And lots of friendly drovers to turn you into a real Aussie hero!"

The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2010 is on sale now.  For more information and bookings visit www.cattledrive.com.au or contact your local Travel Agent.

Published 26th Mar 2009

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