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TOUR 4 - CATTLE KINGS
The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive - Sample Tour
Overview
Tour four of the Cattle Drive offers a rare opportunity to enter the world's largest cattle station, Anna Creek, measuring some 26,000 square kilometres (5.5 million acres), which is roughly the size of Belgium. The station has been continuously occupied since it was founded in 1872, resisting the effects of drought, flood and adverse economic conditions - the only property in the region to have done so. It's hard country here, the droughts are savage, but you'll hear stories of people who have overcome the odds. Today Anna Creek is home to some 15,000 cattle.
Cattle driving 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. 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 - suffice to say, it's like no other.
Highlights:
- The world's largest cattle station, Anna Creek Station
- Ghan railway track and Overland Telegraph ruins
- Historical stories
- William Creek - claimed the be Australia's smallest town
- Optional coach tours
- Scenic flight over Lake Eyre, Anna Creek Station or the Painted Desert (additional cost)
- Anna Creek campsite.

Itinerary
Day 1, Monday - 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 team before being matched with your horse. After you get acquainted, you'll spend your first afternoon droving cattle. Return to the camp, where your evening meal will be served. The open fire will be a great place to get to know the members of your group. (Meals - lunch and dinner) Day 2, 3, 4, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 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 drovers and farriers during the day. Upon returning to camp in late afternoon, you'll find hot showers, the camp library, and cold drinks at the bar (alcohol is available for purchase). The evening meal will vary from buffet style (served in the on-site marquee) to camp oven meals cooked on the campfire. Dinner is often accompanied by tales from the Outback - including yours!
On days three and four you are invited to join a coach tour to take in more of the highlights and history of the surrounding area (optional). Scenic flights are also available for an additional cost. (Meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner) Day 5, Friday - Enjoy breakfast then farewell your Outback home of Anna Creek campsite at 10:00am. (Meal - breakfast)
Getting To & From
There are many ways to travel to and from your tour. You will need to arrive the day before your tour starts. Transport details are listed below. For more information please contact your local travel agent.
TO/FROM ADELAIDE:
Drovers' Express The Cattle Drive official tour bus service is known as the Drovers' Express. This service has been provided to ensure you arrive at your Cattle Drive campsite with ease and on time. All meals and accommodation are provided, all you need do is sit back and enjoy the scenery. Drovers' Express will collect passengers from a selection of Adelaide city hotels and for tour four will overnight at your selected hotel in Coober Pedy. Use this opportunity to forge friendships with fellow travellers. On the return leg, sit back and reflect on the memories of your tour and the images in your mind that will last forever.
- Departs Adelaide Sunday 20 May, 7am, arrives at tour campsite Monday 21, 11am
- Departs tour campsite Friday 25 May, 10am, arrives Adelaide Saturday 26 May, 3.30pm
The Official Cattle Drive Hotel, the Hyatt Regency Adelaide, is offering special pre and post Cattle Drive accommodation packages and will have a dedicated check-in lounge for each Drovers' Express departure.
Meals on the tour include a fully cooked breakfast, lunch including sandwiches and fruit, and a three course dinner - buffet style or fixed menu. Vegetarian options and special dietary requests are catered for. Cold drinking water will be readily available while on Drovers' Express. Morning and afternoon breaks are scheduled on most tours at a local shop where you can purchase a cool drink or a snack if required.
Your coach will be fully equipped with audio commentary facilities and air-conditioned for your comfort. All drivers are fully accredited with current First Aid Certificates and Outback travel experience. Drovers' Express packages including accommodation, tours and transfers are available, please visit your local travel agent for further details.
Price per person: A$695 return fare and A$520 one way
Regional Express Airlines (REX) Flights to and from Coober Pedy are recommended for Cattle Drive tour four. REX operates the following flights:
- Depart Adelaide Monday-Friday 10.15am arrive Coober Pedy 12.15pm
- Depart Adelaide Sunday 12.15pm arrive Coober Pedy 2.15pm
- Depart Coober Pedy Monday-Friday 12.35pm arrive Adelaide 2.35pm
- Depart Coober Pedy Sunday 2.35pm arrive Adelaide 4.35pm
The following transfers are available:
- Airport transfers to and/or from hotel accommodation operated by the Desert Cave Hotel at A$8 per person each way
- Coach transfers from Coober Pedy to and from your Cattle Drive campsite operated by the Drovers Express at A$100 per person each way
Flight packages including accommodation, tours and transfers are available. Please visit your local travel agent for more information.
Great Southern Railway - The Ghan Experience one of the most fascinating rail journeys in the world from Adelaide to Manguri rail siding (46 kilometres west of Coober Pedy) on the legendary Ghan. Transfers to and from Manguri rail siding to your accommodation, and to and from your accommodation to your Cattle Drive campsite are also available. Rail packages including accommodation, tours and transfers are available, please visit your local travel agent for more information.
- Suggested departure from Adelaide Sunday 20 May, 9.35am arrive Manguri Railway siding Sunday 20 May, 11.30pm
- Transfer to Coober Pedy accommodation operated by the Desert Cave Hotel at A$75 per person each way
- Coach transfers from Coober Pedy accommodation to and from your Cattle Drive campsite operated by the Drovers Express at A$100 per person each way
TO/FROM ALICE SPRINGS:
Great Southern Railway - The Ghan Experience one of the most fascinating rail journeys in the world from Alice Springs to Manguri rail siding (46 kilometres west of Coober Pedy) on the legendary Ghan. Transfers to and from Manguri rail siding to your accommodation, and to and from your accommodation to your Cattle Drive campsite are also available. Rail packages including accommodation, tours and transfers are available, please visit your local travel agent for more information.
- Suggested departure from Adelaide Sunday 20 May, 3.15pm arrive Manguri Railway siding Monday 21 May, 12.01am
- Transfer to Coober Pedy accommodation operated by the Desert Cave Hotel at A$75 per person each way
- Coach transfers from Coober Pedy accommodation to and from your Cattle Drive campsite operated by the Drovers Express at A$100 per person each way
Inclusions
- Superior carpeted tent accommodation at Anna Creek campsite including camp bed, sheets, quilt (duvet), pillow and towel.
- 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). Australian cuisine featured. Special dietary requests are catered for - please confirm this at time of booking.
- Non-alcoholic drinks, including soft drinks, tea, coffee and unlimited water.
- Horse riding, including saddle, safety equipment and helmet.
- Guided coach tours on days three and four 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 Events South Australia staff, doctor, professional drovers, farriers, horse tailers and vets.
Optional Excursions
Scenic Flights With Wrights Air you can take the opportunity to experience the Outback from a unique vantage point. As you move away from the runway you first notice the remoteness of the Australian Outback. See the Oodnadatta Track cutting its way through the sand dunes with the Old Ghan railway line running alongside it. Nothing much has changed in the past 100 years - you are in the real Australian Outback.
All aircraft are designed for maximum viewing pleasure and comfort. All have panoramic windows for excellent views and personal headsets are supplied for listening to commentary on our scenic flight routes.
1 hour scenic flight over Lake Eyre and Anna Creek Station Lake Eyre comprises two separate depressions. Lake Eyre North is 8,430 square kilometres, while Lake Eyre South is 1,260 square kilometres. Lake Eyre comprises of 400 million tonnes of salt and is the lowest point of Australia, at 18 metres below sea level. Water from one sixth of Australia drains from all directions into Lake Eyre, most of which comes from Queensland through the Diamantina River and Cooper Creek. You cannot appreciate Anna Creek Station, the world's largest cattle station, until you see it from the air. In the distance to the east you see the shimmering white of Lake Eyre, and to the west Anna Creek Station homestead comes into view. Coming in to land, a priceless photo opportunity arises as the aircraft passes by the William Creek Hotel. Price Per Person $240
One hour 45 min flight over Painted Desert and Lake Eyre The Painted Desert is best viewed by air. It consists of approximately 30 kilometres of eroded sandstone hills brilliantly coloured with ochre, yellow, white and orange. Price Per Person A$350 pp
T&Cs
*Please read the Terms and Conditions below carefully as they incorporate the basis upon which the South Australian Tourism Commission accepts tour, transfer and optional extras bookings.
Terms & Conditions
As these tours operate in remote areas, the South Australian Tourism Commission (hereinafter called the operator), reserves the right to alter, and/or cancel any section and/or parts of the itinerary which may result from road, weather or any other conditions of an operational nature. While every endeavour will be made to keep the arrival/departure times and the campsite locations given in the itinerary, no guarantee will be made that these will be kept. The operator will not be liable for any costs incurred through failure to connect with any other service. Any personal expenses incurred by the participant as a result of any delay, alteration or curtailment of any tour whether caused by weather conditions, mechanical defects or any other natural causes are the responsibility of the participant.
The operator and/or its employees and agents accepts no responsibilities, nor is liable for any act of omission whatsoever (whether inside or outside their control or by neglect or otherwise) for any booking, contract, travel, accommodation or tours which may result in any loss, damage, accident, detention, diversion or theft in regard to luggage or personal belongings, and will be exempt from liability in respect of direct or indirect or consequential loss or damage, death, injury, sickness, irregularity, delay liability and additional expenses, or inconvenience or any other event beyond its control including accident or failure to machinery or equipment, accommodation, transportation or other services, or any acts of God, dangers incident to the outback, fire, acts of government, acts of war or terrorism or other authorities, delays, strikes or cancellation of itinerary or schedule changes whatsoever, howsoever by whosoever caused. Participants will be required to wear a riding helmet while on horseback.
In the result of a break down or other unforeseen circumstances, the operator has the right to substitute the vehicle and /or other mode of transport (i.e. horse and livestock) and/or accommodation other than those advertised at any time.
The places depicted in the photographs and brochures are representative of the country through which tours pass and may not necessarily be visited by these tours. The highlights, excursions and itineraries as set out will be adhered to where possible. The operator or agent in charge of the tour, may make alterations to the itineraries and excursions highlights as they deem fit without any further notification to the participant. Information contained here is correct to the best of the operator's knowledge, and the operator is not liable for inaccuracies herein, or weather conditions that may influence the limits of your tour and the enjoyment of your tour.
If for any reason the itinerary is altered and/or different itinerary offered, no refund is payable by the operator. The operator reserves the right without payment or compensation to the participant, whether before or after the commencement of travel, to exclude any participant if in the opinion of the operator that participant may appear likely to endanger the health or safety or to impair the comfort of themselves and/or other participants and may be asked to leave the tour immediately.
Waiver I acknowledge that I am fully aware of the risks involved in participating in The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive and hereby undertake to evaluate my own capabilities and capacity to be involved with the event, and should I have any physical or mental condition which has the potential to put myself or any other person at risk, or if I am not sufficiently capable to complete such a tour, I will not participate in those aspects of the tour, conducted by the South Australian Tourism Commission or its agents. I acknowledge that the onus is on me to inform the operator of any of these risks and if I am unsure as to my capabilities I will seek medical advice.
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 are not covered under standard ambulance cover. If you have private health insurance please ask your insurer if they cover Royal Flying Doctor Service retrieval.
Booking Conditions All prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of Australian Goods and Services Tax. Please note that all reservations are subject to availability at the time of booking. Any verbal quote given is an estimate only of the price and tour and that will be subject to advice on confirmation of the reservation. Bookings will not be processed or held unless the signed completed booking form is returned.
Deposits and Final Payments A deposit of A$300 per Tour and A$100 for Drovers' Express is required within seven (7) days of confirmation of booking. You will be notified at the time of your reservation if any additional deposit requirements apply. Payment in full is required 60 days prior to departure date or payment deadline specified in individual package conditions. For bookings made less than 60 days prior to departure date, full payment is required within 48 hours of confirmation.
Cancellations If a booking is cancelled or terminated at any time all deposits will be forfeited. Cancellations more than 60 days prior to departure and paid in full will forfeit the deposit only. Cancellations less than 60 days prior to departure will forfeit all monies paid.
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