Experience Details

Located in the heart of New England, an area well known for cattle, fine wool, prime lambs and most important of all, in the middle of great horse country you will find one of Australia’s most historic and beautiful stations – just waiting for you to enjoy one of Australia’s unforgettable horse and cattle station adventures.

Here you can ride your heart out, get your hands dirty by participating in some real life cattle station work and train and ride along Australia’s best stockmen and campdrafters. Today this is a 4000 acres working cattle and sheep property and whilst you can join in the action you don’t have to forego any of the luxuries when it comes to accommodation and enjoying some of the best regional foods and cool climate wines from vineyards close by.

Guided by renowned campdrafters and trainers, a small group of horse professionals will spend your time riding and working with cattle on one of Australia’s iconic cattle stations rich in history.  During your stay you will follow in the footsteps of Australian stockmen and campdrafting legends and enjoy this “true blue” Australian horse experience as you will enjoy a vast menu of cattle station activities and also have plenty of opportunities to muster cattle.

This is a never before offered equine experience for  riders interested in working cattle and riding horses in an authentic setting where the disciplines of campdrafting originated. It’s an environment where horses are ridden for a purpose to make a living and horsemanship is part of the culture. It will take you back in time in Australian history to understand and get a feeling for the great sport of campdrafting this great vast land and its horse people.

Depending on the date of your stay, these days of exhilarating activities will be combined with the opportunity to meet up with the Australian campdrafting sports community at some of Australia’s great campdrafting events in the area such as the Glen Innes Campdraft and Show and the Nutrien Classic Campdraft and Auction in Tamworth. 

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Cattle Station Adventure

LOCATION:

 Glen Innes, New South Wales

AIRPORT:

Inverell, Tamworth, Gold Coast, Armidale, Newcastle

TYPE OF EXPERIENCE:

 Cattle Station Experience

SEASON:

 August until December and January until May

DURATION:

 4 - 5 Full Riding Days and Weekends

PRICING:

 Weekends start from AUD 3200 (BYOH) per person all inclusive

LEVEL:

Intermediate and Advanced Riders

ACCOMMODATION STYLE:

 Superior Country Accommodation in the historic Shearer's Quarters

FOOD AND DRINK:

 All Meals and Beverages

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

 BYOH - Bring your own horse is available

What to expect

This is description of the program for our 4 Days / 5 Nights event. The program will vary for shorter stays and for the Long Riding Weekend at Waterloo.
Day 1 Arrival
Arrive at Waterloo mid-afternoon and get settled in at the shearer’s quarters. Take as stroll around the area and get a glimpse of the beautiful countryside which you will be exploring on horseback during the coming days. When you hear the dinner bell it will be time to get back to the shearer’s quarter for dinner and meet up with your guides and fellow riders for the week.
Day 2
Following a great country breakfast it will be time to put your boots on and walk over to the stables where you will get the horses ready for the day. Once saddled up, the morning will focus on learnings and developing skills about riding and working with your horse on a cattle station. Once you have mastered some of these skills in the yards, in the afternoon you will practice these skills riding out on the station. In the late afternoon there will be introductory roping lessons and you will learn how to crack a stockwhip. Once back at the quarters, a cold beer, a glass of white wine and nibbles followed by another example of great Australian home style cooking will be waiting for you – to be enjoyed with a couple of glasses of that great Australian Shiraz.
Day 3
Get ready for a day in the saddle. The morning will be filled with an introduction to cow working and some working with cattle props. The afternoon is reserved for cattle and stockwork out in the yard and later on riding on the range. Depending on the weather, we will take you for a sunset ride in the evening. Have a shower to wash off the sweat and dust after a day in the saddle before you enjoy a wine or beer tasting on the veranda followed by a dinner around the campfire. And don’t forget to take some time out for yourself before you go to bed to gaze at the stars before you retire to your comfortable quarters for a good night’s rest. Australian starry nights are to die for!
Day 4
Wednesday Get up early and get ready for an action packed day filled with all types of station activities and work. Your ride will take you to various areas of the station where you will check fences, dam levels and water troughs. You will have a picnic lunch out in the paddock and if you are lucky you can have a snooze under the beautiful gumtrees before you continue your work and your ride in the afternoon. In the evening, be prepared to get into the ute and ride into town for a few drinks and dinner at the local pub!
Day 5
This will be the day to put all of your skills acquired during the week to the test and it will be another action packed day riding and checking on cattle. In the evening, put on your best country frock and walk over to the Waterloo homestead for an experience of a lifetime. Enjoy drinks and nibbles on the veranda and the beautiful gardens followed by a dinner in the stately dining room at the Waterloo homestead. This will be an Australian experience you will cherish forever! There is only one more thing to say – Enjoy!
Day 6 Departure
Take in the view from the breakfast table and then it’s time to say goodbye and take with you what’s for you alone to keep which are all of these great memories to be cherished forever!

 

Nutrien Classic Program (2.5 Days / 2 Nights or extended program) 
If you are adding the Landmark Classic Program to this experience, it will either take place prior to your cattle station experience or following your stay at Waterloo Station).

Established in 2008, the Landmark now called Nutrien Classic has evolved to become Australia’s premier Campdrafting competition and world class performance horse sale and Australia’s premier Campdrafting competition . The annual event now runs over 9 days filled with campdrafting and four days where more than 600 Australian stockhorses and quarter horses will be auctioned off. Signing up for the program will give you the opportunity to attend this once in a lifetime event as a spectator and get to know the Australian campdrafting community. 

The additional price for attending the Nutrien Classic will be approximately Euro 500 and will include transfer from/to Waterloo station or to/from Tamworth plus two nights accommodation. Food and drinks will not be included in the price.

 

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The Horses

You will be riding Australian stockhorses and quarter horses, all of them well-bred, trained and regularly participating in campdrafting competitions. If you are after a more leisurely ride or just want to trail behind a mob of cattle for hours or ride through the hills and valleys, there are some more quiet horses available for a safe and leisurely ride. You can bring your own horse to this exclusive event.

Details

Included:

  • A great horse incl tack and all equipment  
  • Overnight yard for your horse, for riders who bring their own horse
  • Support from experienced stockmen and trainers during the ride
  • Accommodation in the beautiful Shearer’s quarters or the main homestead in double or twin rooms, some of them with their own en-suite bathroom. Double and twin rooms are available for single use for participants who don’t want to share (single occupancy surcharge might apply)
  • Dinner on the first night of your arrival, three meals per day and breakfast on the day of your departure
  • Various special activities throughout the week depending on what is on the agenda. Check out the program below for the ‘farewell dinner’ at the Waterloo homestead, beer and wine tastings, sheep dog demonstrations and bush poetry evening.
  • Beer and wine with dinner

Transfer:

With your own vehicle or a rental car at your own expense from Tamworth, Gold Coast, Armidale, Brisbane or Sydney

Not included:

  • Domestic or international flights from and to the destination
  • Transfer from and to Waterloo Station
  • Single room surcharge for people who do not want to share a room
  • Tamworth Nutrien Classic Accommodation and transfer (only available on certain dates)
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Prices and Dates

You can join this event with your own horse. Please refer to the BYOH price mentioned below An overnight yard for your horse is included in the price. You will need to bring your own gear, horse feed and hay.

Dates from Dates to Price Status
Group Dates (min 6) on request Group Dates (min 6) on request AUD 3500 BYOH for 4 Days/5 Nights per person all inclusive Bring your own horse only / Group Bookings Available on Request
Group Dates (min 6) on request Group Dates (min 6) on request AUD 3500 BYOH for 3 Days/4 Nights per person all inclusive Bring your own horse only / Group Bookings Available on Request

Get in touch

call us

+61 (0) 418 613 930

email us

info@horsesandcattle.com

online enquiry