TOUR 4 - CATTLE KINGSFriday 25 May 2007 Today was mobilsation day, this means, moving camp! By 11.00 am all of the guests on Tour 4 had said their good byes to new friends, shed a few tears and boarded their planes, trains and automobiles to head on to the next adventure (home)! The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive event team began to pack down the Anna Creek campsite in readiness for the move to the almost pre-built Strangways camp. The convoy of trucks, cars, toilet and shower units, freezer, fridges, containers, catering equipment and everything imaginable departed early afternoon ready for the challenge ahead. The campsite for Tour 5, Dunes, Springs and Salt Pans, located approximately 26km south of William Creek was abuzz with activity, as all hands were on deck to build the 'camp' (the oasis in the desert). The start of the event has been hailed a great success with memories created, friendships forged and a bond with the sheer, beauty of the Outback intertwined in hearts and minds forever. Thursday 24 May 2007 The last five days the Seven Network Sunrise's Nescafe Blend43 Weather Winnebago has joined The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive. This morning at 4.30 am preparations began at the camp in earnest for a live broadcast of the six weather segments throughout the show from 5.30 am. From Monday to Thursday each day this week there have been six live crosses televised to every capital city in Australia and syndicated to an additional 43 regional television stations. All guests were invited to be 'extras' around the campfire as life on The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive was depicted. As the sun began to rise over the horizon, the air was crisp and cool, setting the scene for a glorious, sunny day ahead filled with much horsemanship and cattle control. The new drovers have come a long way in three days. Rodney Fullarton, of the droving team was heard saying that at first "they were useless" but now are in control of the mob and can definitely hold their own ground with the cattle. The weary travellers returned to camp after eight hours in the saddle. Tonight the William Creek Gymkhana Club treated Cattle Drive guests to a horse skills display organised by the droving team as well as a showcase of true Outback hospitality. The evening held an auction to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service, reflecting the highly valued role it has played in delivering vital health services to Outback communities for 79 years. Wednesday 23 May 2007 It is hard to believe it is only just three days since The Great Australian Outback Drive and tour four began as Australia's next generation of drovers started their apprenticeship. Jan Gemmell and Kerry McComish from New Zealand arrived full of energy and with a great a sense of adventure, bright pink and sparkly gold cowgirl hats in tow. Now just 72 hours later they are caught up in the romance of this adventure, never wanting to go home. “We are having the most wonderful experience, it is perfect. This trip is more than we ever dreamed it would be. Flawless surrounds, staff always with a smile and Outback characters ready to share their story.” The sun beamed brightly as the mob of cattle, horses and riders stopped for lunch. Departing lunch camp for home base, one of the event cars received their first flat tyre today - Keith Rasheed to the rescue in the pink Range Rover. Today for those who wanted to rest their weary legs and shake off any saddle soreness scenic flights were on offer or an indigenous cultural tour. The scenic flights took your breath away as from the runway it is where all first notice the remoteness of the Australian Outback. The flights showcased the Oodnadatta Track cutting its way through the sand dunes with the Old Ghan railway line running alongside it.
Neville and Adriana Jacob who have been running the pub for the last 12 months will greet anyone with a smile and were run off their feet this evening with The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive guests (thanks for the shining service Whitey, Bev and Craig!)
Tuesday 22 May 2007 After their first encounter and brief taste of the droving experience yesterday the guests on the Cattle Kings tour on The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive were eager, anxious, nervous and filled with a new found energy to jump in the saddle again. As the sun peered over the horizon at 6.45 am the camp was alive and full of activity as a steaming, hot breakfast prepared by Steve Marcus and his talented crew was served up to all who were bright eyed and bushy tailed. Perhaps it was the constantly ringing of a cow bell as the camp alarm rather than the breakfast that had people moving so quickly. For those who can't face sizzling bacon, fried and scrambled eggs, tomatoes, sausages, baked beans or home made porridge usually opt for a strong cup of coffee (made in a plunger of course!) and toast. A short bus trip was taken to meet the cattle and courses at the stock yards on Anna Creek station. The droving team were ready and waiting to face all the challenges of the day ahead with their droving protegees. Finally, after saddling and ensuring 80 guests had their feet in the stirrups the team was ready to ride. The morning passed in a blur of keeping tabs on the cattle as lunch arrived. What great service - as the team of host hand delivered and set up a lunch spot next to where the animals stopped for their own 'rest' (feed and water). Today, the cattle were moved 16km in total (a big day, as the average daily distance moved is 14km) - these new cowboys are too efficient. Or perhaps it was the motivation of the bright pink and sparkly yellow cow boy hats worn by two lovely New Zealand ladies that were a focus. A hard day of droving deserved a chilled wine or thirst quenching beer at the Moo Bar. The team from Anna Creek Station (Randall and Tanya Crozier and others) joined everyone for dinner. Jess Kemp from the droving team educated us all on the Outback Lakes producer group in this region as they have been supplying all the red meat for the group to enjoy. At 8.00 pm the dust stirred in the distance as the ENTIRE droving team arrived (think of the film Young Guns walking on the horizon) to sink a few cold beers, or a 'black rat' or two with all who were still up around the camp fire. The sweet, soulful tunes of Rohan and Polly entertained as their voices left a lullaby type imprint in the air.
Monday 21 May 2007 The dust began to settle on the completed camp as everyone waited. Waiting for movement on the horizon, to know they were coming. Like a beacon of light through the haze, they had started to arrive and it was only 9.30 am - what happened to the itinerary time of 11.00 am. As luck would have everything was ready! Guests from all walks of like. The guests are the pioneers who were about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime had come from near and far. Switzerland, USA, France, Italy and New Zealand are all represented as well as all corners of our great, big land - Australia. Old friends, Celestine Growden and Nina Walker from the 2005 event (along the Birdsville Track) reunited with members of the event team. Their smiles brightened as they recognised some familiar faces, chatted with new friends and looked forward to the adventure ahead. Today's start of The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive offered a rare opportunity to enter the world's largest cattle station, Anna Creek, measuring some 24,000 square kilometres (5.5 million acres), which is roughly the size of Belgium. It's hard country here, the droughts are savage, but already there were stories being told of those who have overcome the odds. The droving team of 18 (10 strapping Outback male identities and eight fine ladies) will captivate and charm, offering advice to people visiting the bush to make your handshake a little firmer and let your smile linger a little longer. Alice Fargher, Event Host and local Outback gal (born and bred) smile beams constantly as she looks forward to sharing 'her' Outback with new friends. According to Alice the Outback never tasted so good, or the rum so sweet. The men and women of the Outback define the very best in the Australian character: resourceful, resilient, colourful and friendly and The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive will share this with the world. Sunday 20 May 2007 Preparations continued in full swing today after five days of dust, sweat and tears from the dedicated operations team, labor and host crews. More than 25 pairs of hands worked tirelessly putting up tents, plumbing, making beds, setting tables and everything else required to build a city like oasis in the Outback. Everything is in place as the team from Events South Australia eagerly awaits the arrival of the 79 guests and media who will be descending on this campsite tomorrow. Will there be old friends returning? How will the new visitors to this beautiful, yet sometimes unforgiving land handle the heat, the flies and the remoteness? The bar is stocked and the beer is cold so only time will tell. The camp site is breathtaking, overlooking the crumbling ruins of the Ghan railway. The next four nights will witness many a yarn being told. The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive is saddling up for a sold out event with the mob set to depart the Anna Creek campsite (near William Creek) for the official start tomorrow (21 May 2007).
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