THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

The following information provides answers to some frequently asked questions. 

Medical, welfare & safety                           Riding Experience    
Personal Safety                                            Communications
Weather                                                          Facilities
What to bring                                                 Wildlife and Bugs
Typical Day                                                     Are there any additional costs?
Accommodation                                           Other
Meals                                                              Additional Questions

Medical, welfare & safety
The medical welfare and the personal safety of individuals are of primary importance. Any pre-existing illness must be notified to your booking agent before your departure. You are advised to bring adequate supplies of any medication that you may require. It may not be possible to obtain medication while in the Outback or remote areas, because of the remoteness of the Cattle Drive.

What safety requirements are in place?
A medical staff member will be on site for the duration of the Cattle Drive.

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

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.

Personal safety in the Outback
It is suggested that basic first aid knowledge is acquired before you travel into the Outback.
Care needs to be taken when travelling in very remote areas during summer, when temperatures in Outback Australia can reach well over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). However, this is not expected during the months of the Cattle Drive.

• Seek shade wherever possible, particularly between 11am and 3pm during daylight saving time.
• Wear a wide brimmed hat to protect the face, ears and back of the neck.
• Wear loose fitting, cool shirts, preferably with collar and long sleeves.
• Use a maximum protection, broad spectrum sun screen of at least SPF15 for the face and other areas that cannot be covered with clothing.
• Apply sun screen at least 15 minutes before going out in the sun and re-apply regularly, particularly after swimming or exercise.

Remember when swimming the UV (ultraviolet) rays penetrate at least 20 centimetres into the water. Water also reflects UV rays back onto the skin, increasing the intensity of the sunlight. UV rays cannot be seen or felt and are  not related to air temperature. You can still get skin damage on cool, slightly overcast days.You can still get burnt under umbrellas, tents and verandahs because 50 per cent of UV rays are scattered from surfaces such as concrete, sand and water.

Weather
What is the weather like in the Outback?
Weather will vary over the five weeks of the Cattle Drive, however between May and June most days are warm and beautifully clear, with daily temperatures ranging from 16 - 35 degrees Celsius (60 - 95 Fahrenheit). At sunset the temperature can drop quickly and the nights can be cold.

What to 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 clothes to cater for all weather conditions, appropriate riding shoes, wide brim hat, tissues, toiletries (such as toothbrush, toothpaste, face washer, soap, deodorant/antiperspirant, shampoo and conditioner, sun block, lip balm and moisturiser). Talcum powder is useful to soothe any chafing. Also include sunglasses, camera, film and extra batteries.

Do I need a passport?
All non-Australian citizens will require a valid passport to travel to Australia.  Additionally, some visitors may  require a visa to visit Australia.  Speak to your travel agent for further information.

Can I bring valuables?
Tents cannot be secured. Valuables are the responsibility of the participant and you bring them at your own risk.

What clothes do I need to pack?
Comfortable clothes should be worn, with long sleeve shirts and a hat recommended for sun protection. Enclosed shoes must be worn while riding, and it is recommended a boot with a heel be worn to ensure stability within the stirrup. It can become very cold at night so it's a good idea to wear layers of clothing and add or subtract to your own comfort. Bring a raincoat in case of wet weather. Exclusive Cattle Drive attire can be purchased before or during your tour.

What kind of luggage can I bring?
It is recommended that you use a soft-sided bag that is dust proof. To assist with transfer of your luggage between camps, please ensure that all bags are clearly tagged with your name. Please check with your travel agent in relation to luggage restrictions, especially if travelling by air.

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.

Typical day
A typical day will begin with an early breakfast before you are transferred out to the drovers, horses and cattle. You will then partake in the morning drove before stopping for lunch, which will be brought to you. While you are droving you will have an excellent opportunity to speak with the drovers and farriers and learn about droving, Outback history and the countryside.

After lunch you will drove cattle for the remainder of the afternoon before being transferred back to your campsite, where you will have free time. If you wish, you can take a hot refreshing shower, read from the on site camp library or simply have a cold beverage bought from the bar. The evening meal will be served, usually in the on site marquee. After dinner relax by the campfire where tales are often told about the Outback's rich history.

How many hours approximately will I have 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 for the stock, but is approximately  14 kilometres. On most full days of droving, the ride begin at approximately 7.30am/8.00am through to 11.00am/11.30am when the cattle, drovers and participants stop and have lunch. Then it's back on the horses around 1.00pm/1.30pm for a full afternoon of droving until approximately 4.00pm/5.00pm.

On your day of arrival, you will have lunch and then head out to get saddled up and meet or be matched with a horse then ride and /or assist the drovers to yard the cattle.

Do I have to drove everyday?
No, you can stay at the campsite any day during your tour and relax, or on days three and four of each tour you have the option of taking a guided coach tour featuring surrounding attractions and points of interest. On some tours there is also the opportunity to purchase an optional extra of a scenic flight or camel tour.

Accommodation
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 setting throughout the tour. 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.

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.

Please note all tents are non-smoking.

Meals
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. Please see itinerary.

Breakfast includes a hot buffet breakfast.

Dinner  includes two courses. They may be served buffet style in the on site marquee, or cooked on the campfire. Australian cuisine will be featured, with selection varied. Vegetarian options and special dietary requests are catered for -  please confirm this at time of booking. All meals are served at set times and the tour group eats together. In most instances lunch is delivered to you on your droving route as you rest while the cattle and drovers have their  break. Breakfast and dinner are served at the campsite.

Please outline your special dietary requirements to your travel agent at the time of booking so appropriate arrangements can be made. 

What drinks will be provided?
Non-alcoholic drinks including unlimited 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 every day. There will be A$20 bar cards available for purchase.

Riding Experience
Do I need to have ridden a horse before?
No, people of any horse riding ability can take part. Horse tailers will divide people into groups and match people to horses that suit their experience level. Horses are only ridden at a walking pace.

The activities associated with The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2007 may require a greater than normal level of physical exertion. All participants need to be aware of their physical limitations and ensure that their fitness is at a suitable level before commencing the tour.

Communications
The Outback is a remote area. There is no mobile telephone coverage when on the 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 telephones available for emergencies only.  For your safety, our campsites are also equipped with HF (Flying Doctor) radio, UHF radio and satellite telephone. These services are not available for personal use.

Will there be power available for me to use?
The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2007 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. Australia's 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 before departure.

How can I be reached in case of an emergency back home?
In an emergency, you may be contacted via the South Australian Tourism Commission on +61 8 8463 4500 during office hours. A message will be passed on to the applicable  Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive campsite.

Will I be able to send mail home?
Mail sent from The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive camp will be specially postmarked via the nearest post office. Mail is collected every two weeks along the Outback tracks and weekly from Marree.

Facilities
Each droving tour provides the same facilities.

Are there facilities for the disabled?
Unfortunately because of 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 their ability to ride safely. Medical clearance to take part in the event by a doctor may be required.

What is the staff ratio and overall group size?
Staff ratio will be approximately one staff member per two guests, with approximately 70 guests per tour.

Will I require money on tour?
Once you arrive at your campsite there are no facilities to exchange foreign currency, traveller's cheques or withdraw cash. 

Money (cash or credit card) will be required to purchase alcoholic drinks at the bar on site. During your stay, merchandise will be available to purchase and credit card facilities will be provided. Optional activities are available such as scenic flights and camel tours 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.

Wildlife and bugs
There may be opportunities to see native wildlife such as birds, lizards and kangaroos. Snakes, mosquitoes, flies and dingos are among the animals you may encounter. Every effort will be made to keep the campsite clear of snakes, which are naturally very shy. Insect repellent is supplied.

Are there any additional costs?

• Transfers to and from the tours are not included.
• Optional activities, on some tours, such as scenic light aircraft flights and camel tours, are available at an additional cost. These must be booked and paid for at the same time as your tour.
• 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 telephones in case of emergency will be charged at cost.
• Additional items not included in the cost of the tour are: travel insurance, passport and visa fees (where required), excess baggage charges, airport departure taxes, extra meals, alcoholic drinks, optional activities or tours, and any items of a personal nature not specified in the itinerary.

Other

What documentation will I receive for The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive?
Upon receipt of final payment, you will receive an information kit about The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2007. Please speak to your travel agent should you have any further questions.

Can I extend my stay?
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. Please note that consecutive tours are only available between tours four and five; and six and seven.
 
What happens if I purchase two or more consecutive tours?
After one tour concludes and before the next tour commences, usually a day, there will be a set activity. During this time the campsite will be relocated. An additional cost will apply per night per person and this includes food and accommodation.

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. Please be aware of the following if you decide to bring a child. There is no triple share accommodation available. There are no child minding facilities. Weather can range from very hot to very cold.  If the child wants to remain at camp, a parent or guardian would be required to stay with them. There are no set child activities during the tour.

What language do people speak?
The official language of The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2007 is English, with some Outback expressions!

What if a group of us want to travel together?
Group travel is welcome. 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 2007 tour packages.

What do I need to register upon arrival?
Please bring proof of identification, your travel documents and your booking reference number with you.

Additional questions
If the answer to one of your questions is not detailed on this website please contact us with your query.

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