Replicate Nicole and Hugh’s outback adventure

With the much anticipated UK premier on Boxing Day of Baz Luhrmann’s epic movie Australia (his first movie since Moulin Rouge in 2001) starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, comes the news that travellers who wish to replicate their Outback adventure can do so on a new three-night South Australian cattle droving tour (prairiehotel.com.au).

Called “Sunsets, Saddles & Shiraz” this experience is ideal for film fans, adventure seekers and lovers of the great outdoors as it combines the romance of cattle droving with gourmet food and wine, native wildlife and the stunning scenery of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, gateway to the Outback.

The adventure begins at Nilpena, a working cattle station on the edge of Lake Torrens, where participants meet the drovers and are provided with horses and equipment necessary for two full days in the saddle. A degree of riding experience is required along with a moderate level of fitness.

During the tour riders will find themselves immersed in an authentic Australian Outback adventure, working alongside drovers, dining with them around a campfire and hearing about their special lifestyle. The visitors will also learn to identify animal tracks and native plants as they herd approximately 200 cattle across landscapes of red desert, gibber plains and sandy creek beds lined with river red gums.

This exhilarating trip will be punctuated with award-winning accommodation at Parachilna’s Prairie Hotel, quite possibly Australia’s most famous Outback hotel renowned for its speciality ‘feral food’, including kangaroo, emu, camel, native limes and bush tomatoes, as well as two nights’ camping or sleeping under the stars in a sleeping bag or ‘swag’. Packed lunches and billy tea breaks, plus the opportunity to go in search of rare wildlife, such as the shy and rare yellow-footed rock wallaby, are also included.

With places strictly limited, the tour is priced A$3,795 per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation as outlined, all meals and drinks, live entertainment and a Wallaby Watch Tour. Departure dates are available in March, May, July and October 2009, and assistance can be given with travel arrangements to Parachilna’s airstrip from Adelaide or Melbourne.

For further information on this tour visit southaustralia.com and to make a booking, see prairiehotel.com.au.