An opportunity to see world class sheep-shearing

Guests staying at the Edwardian homestead of Portee (portee.com.au), South Australia, the last week of June (25th – 30th) will experience the added thrill of watching a truly authentic Australian activity, and on a world class level, as the Australian Sheep Shearing team hones its skills prior to the world championships to be held in Norway in October 2008.

Current world champion and team leader, Shannon “Curley” Warnest, will lead the team’s only practice shearing “run” which will take place over the course of a week. The team will shear Portee’s 3,000 fine wool Merinos.

Portee’s woolshed, one of South Australia’s oldest working sheds, was where Shannon Warnest first learnt to shear. Guests can watch special demonstrations, experience “Smoko” (morning tea) with the team and enjoy sundowner drinks and gourmet barbecues under the Outback stars.

Overnight packages start from A$395 per person (£181.00) for one night’s full board accommodation which includes woolshed/shearing tours with the Aussie team. In addition, for every guest who stays at Portee, A$100 will be donated to the Australian team to support their trip to the World Championships.

Historic Portee Station, set in landscaped gardens with four kms of private Murray River frontage overlooking its own lagoon, is part of a 23,000 acre fine wool sheep station which was once the home of British explorer Edward John Eyre.

For further information on South Australia, visit Southaustralia.com.