Experience some of the pleasures of the droving lifestyle without all the hard work during the adventure of a lifetime – the Harry Redford Cattle Drive. From May 19 to June 8, the cattle drive will follow some of the historic trails within the Aramac Shire, giving people the chance to retrace the steps of drovers the same way they did it - on horseback.

The drive will start at Lake Dunn Water Sports Facility before heading towards Aramac. If you’re thinking this might be a Clayton’s event, think again. There are real cattle, real horses and a totally genuine outback exper­ience ranging from campoven meals to sleeping under the stars. And if you’re not used to riding, you’ll probably have some sore muscles!

The cattle will be driven along a stock route into Aramac, linking up with the Campoven Cookout Comp­etition on May 25, Aramac Races and the Outback Music Night on May 26.

The drive continues to Muttaburra across the Mitchell grass downs. The drive reaches Muttaburra in time to visit the Landsborough Flock Ewe Show on June 2 before the cattle are headed home via Bowen Downs.

The farewell party for the drive will be held on the banks of Cornish Creek near Bowen Downs homestead. Known locally as the Claypan Boogie, this is a night not to be missed as you experience outback hospitality in its truest form.

You can book for the entire trip or just a few days. The cattle drive caters for all levels of horsemanship, so even beginners can come along. It is a holiday with a difference; sleeping under the stars, hearing bush poetry in its own surroundings and enjoying the outback scenery.

For more information, contact the Aramac Shire Council office on (07) 4651 3311 or send an email to cdo@aramac.qld.gov.au.