Tourists offered chance to saddle up for Year of Outback celebrations

Ranching out: celebrating the launch of the Year of the Outback promotion in 2002 are, from left, Tanya Jarman, South Australian Tourist Commission, Helen Jukes and Pippa Reid, both from Quest Travel

CLIENTS can admire Australia from the saddle as part of the country’s Year of the Outback celebrations in 2002.

Visitors can participate in one of the hallmark events, the Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive, and join Australian cattle drovers as they guide 600 cattle along the 321-mile Birdsville Track to the township of Maree in the heart of the Australian outback. A choice of three-, four-, seven- or 11-day horseback cattle driving adventures along the Birdsville Track is available.

The cattle drive will hit the road in May next year and follow the established stock route along the Diamintina River on the edge of the Simpson Desert, through the Wetlands that feed Lake Eyre.

Drovers will stay at the Mungerannie property, one of Australia’s most remote hotels, arriving in time to attend the Outback concert.

Other events will include Australian bush music festivals and aboriginal cultural celebrations.

For further information and prices, log on to www.southaustralia.com.

Tourists offered chance to saddle up for Year of Outback celebrations