Mountain Retreat and Cattle Station, Australia
Horses
Type of horses:
Australian Stock Horses and Thoroughbreds
Nature of horses:
Responsive and well trained for their job
Height of horses:
14 - 16hh
Weight limit:
104kg / 230Ibs
Tack type:
Australian Stock Saddles
Weather
Current Conditions:
Unknown, 27 C
Forecast:
Fri - Scattered Thunderstorms. High: 26 Low: 23
Sat - Isolated Thunderstorms. High: 26 Low: 23
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
£2015 per person This price includes all accommodation, meals, activities and transport from Cooktown to the cattle station.
Any drinks not detailed in the package cost extra - wine, beer and other alcoholic and fizzy drinks are available for purchase.
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
This is a 45,000 acre working cattle station situated just 30 minutes from the historic town of Cooktown in far North Queensland. The homestead is built on an escarpment 1500ft above sea level, atop Mt Dickinson, and offers unimpeded and breathtaking views across the Endeavour River Valley to Cooktown, out to the Great Barrier Reef and the shipping channel of the Coral Sea. The drive to this station is through open savannah forest, typical of Cape York Peninsula.
Guests can partake of a unique Aussie experience here as they watch, learn and assist with the cattle round-up alongside the working cattle dogs. Cattle mustering, drafting, vaccinating, weaning and branding are all part of the activities here and trail rides into the beautiful surroundings add a more relaxing element. These trails allow you to ride original roads from the 1800s and to see such wonderful sights as Butterfly Spring, where you can admire the butterflies living there, and some Aboriginal paintings.
Rides can be modified to suit different abilities and although guests stay in the homestead for the main part, there are opportunities to camp out under the stars if desired. Feeding the farm animals is a lovely activity for a variety of guests and there are plenty of things to do other than riding, from star gazing to bush walks or even working the cattle dogs.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Accommodation is on the top floor of the homestead which offers three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, lounge/diner, laundry facilities and a large enclosed patio. The accommodation can be set up as guests wish - one bedroom has a king size bed, one has a queen size bed and the third bedroom has two large single beds. The bedroom with the king size bed has an ensuite and then there is an extra bathroom for the other rooms to share. Large groups can book all three rooms or you can mix and match, sharing two bedrooms (king and queen) and the two bathrooms or you can have the two smaller bedrooms (queen and large singles) sharing the independent bathroom.
Breakfast:
Seasonal fruit, cereal, toast and jams, juice, tea or coffee will be available every day, as well as a cooked dish which could be either bacon, sausages or savoury mince with eggs, tomato and beans or an omelette.
Lunch:
Could be finger food of either mixed sandwiches, small quiches, small beef pies, salad rolls, fruit and cold drink, tea or coffee, or when at the homestead cold meat & salad, quiche & salad, open sandwiches with salad, cold drink, tea or coffee.
Dinner:
Camp Fire – 3 course meal including damper that is cooked in a camp oven and eaten around the camp fire on the edge of the escarpment
Aussie BBQ - beef, fish, salads & sweets
Carvery – soup or entree, roast beef & vegetable and sweets
Rump Steak - with either vegetables or salad and sauce of your choice
Fish of the Day - fresh locally caught fish served with either salad or vegetables
Seafood Special – Different types of hot or cold local seafood served with salad
Chicken Supreme - served with vegetables
Italian dishes – which could be either spaghetti, lasagne, carbonara.
Often there is also the chance to try some traditional Aussie food such as corned beef with white sauce, meat pies, shepherds pie, roast lamb and vegetables, anzac biscuits and lamingtons.
Activities
Other than horse riding, possible activities include:
- working cattle dogs to round up the cattle
- swimming in the natural rock pools and waterfalls
- bush walks: from gentle strolls to energetic hikes, this is a wonderful way to explore the surroundings and the native flora, including orchids (Cooktown Orchids), ancient cycads and grasstrees
- tee off before playing on the 4 hole golf course
- feeding the farm animals
- watching the sunset from the escarpment, whilst enjoying some wine and cheese
- star gazing through a telescope
- eating round a campfire whilst listening to local stories
- patio barbecue dinner
- bike riding
- a game of boche bowls
- relaxing!
Further Details
Languages: English
Health requirements: Fit & Healthy
Age limit: 12+
Tuition: No
Included: Accommodation, meals, activities (inc. horse riding) and transport from Cooktown to Alkoomie
Not included: Flights and other costs of getting to Cooktown, drinks which are not listed as part of the programme, travel insurance
Travel Information
Fly into Cairns and take a commercial flight to Cooktown (Skytrans Airlines offer this flight). Staff can collect you from Cooktown.
Alternatively you can drive to the cattle station yourself, though you will need a 4WD for this journey. There are also charter flights from Cairns to the cattle station airstrip, a helicopter flight from Cairns or a bus journey from Cairns to Cooktown.
Helicopter - the helicopter trip from Cairns or Port Douglas to Alkoomie along the coastline is a once in a lifetime experience with magnificent views flying over Port Douglas, Daintree and Cape Tribulation. There are several different helicopter companies that do this trip.
Self driving - further details and advice can be provided on request.
Airport: Cairns Airport
Programme
Cattle Mustering and Trail Riding Week
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This is a week combining cattle mustering and trail riding in the far North of Queensland. The week includes cattle work alongside the cattle working dogs and drafting, vaccinating, weaning and branding the cattle. Trail rides take guests to some beautiful points where they can enjoy excellent views, local flora and rock pools for swimming. A great all round week combining the exciting cattle work experience with some more relaxing elements. Day 1 - Arrival: Pick up in Cooktown from either the airport or town and travel to your destination, a 45,000 acre cattle station situated just 30 minutes from historical Cooktown. Continue onto the homestead which offers four star accommodation and is built on the Dickinson Range 1500ft above sea level. It commands spectacular views over the Endeavour Valley to Cooktown and the Coral Sea. Enjoy a cool drink or a cup of tea or coffee whilst admiring the views and then take a leisurely walk around the homestead, getting to know the farm animals roaming around. Take some time to settle into your room before lunch (depending on your time of arrival). This afternoon you saddle up the horses and get to know them by going out for a short ride (for guests arriving later in the afternoon, there won't be time for this). Head back to the stables to feed the farm animals before freshening up for some pre-dinner drinks. Dinner comprises three courses and damper and is cooked in camp ovens and eaten around the campfire at the edge of the escarpment. Day 2 - Mustering: Enjoy breakfast on the patio, either cooked or continental, in preparation for a full day of riding and cattle work. You will head to the cattle yards and saddle up the horses before heading out to muster some of the cattle along with staff and the working dogs. Once the cattle are mustered you will take them back to the yards. You stop for lunch before working in the cattle yards drafting, vaccinating, weaning and branding the cattle. You enjoy some afternoon tea before returning the cattle back to the paddock and driving back to the homestead. Here you will enjoy a three course carvery (with a main such as roast beef and vegetables). Day 3 - Ride the Dickinson Range: If desired, guests can get up early to watch the sunrise with a cup of tea before breakfast. Today you will enjoy a trail ride through the Dickinson Range with breathtaking views and sights of local flora (3 to 4 hours). You will ride to Pandanus Palms Rock Pool for lunch and a swim before making your way back to the homestead. This afternoon can either be one of rest, driving to The Top of the World later in the afternoon, or you can ride part of the way to the western edge of the Dickinson Range and then drive to The Top of the World for wine, beer or soft drinks, cheese and crackers whilst you watch a spectacular sunset. Then it's back to the homestead for a dinner of beef and seafood BBQ. Day 4 - Mustering: This day of cattle mustering can be a full or part day of riding and cattle work depending on what the guests want. It will be similar to Day 2 but the mustering will be done from a different area. You will then drive back to the homestead for a seafood dinner. Day 5 - Tour of Cooktown: It's breakfast time before travelling into Cooktown where you will visit the pioneer cemetery then go for a scenic drive to Grassy Hill. There will also be a tour of the James Cook Museum. Lunch is eaten overlooking the Endeavour River, near the spot where Captain James Cook beached the Endeavour for repairs. The afternoon sees you take a tour of the Old Bank which houses the historical memories and photos of the Cook Shire. There will be a quick visit to Nature's Powerhouse and then it's onto the Botanic Gardens for afternoon tea. Back to the homestead for dinner. Day 6 - Historical Ride: Breakfast before today's ride. Today you will experience the historical side of the area as you ride the original roads that took the miners and the Cobb and Coach travellers to the Palmer River Goldfields in the 1870s. Moving through the surrounding farmlands you'll see the cattle and the horses grazing peacefully, as well as encountering many species of local fauna and flora. You will ride to Butterfly Springs for lunch where you can admire the butterflies that live there. The real excitement starts with the ride up through the escarpment where you can see the original cuttings and stone pitching that were handmade. You will also see the tracks cut into the rocks by the wagon wheels and can also view some Aboriginal paintings. This ride can be modified to suit different standards of rider and guests can camp out under the stars in swags or can return to the comfort of the homestead. Day 7 - Departure: You will eat your last breakfast here before departing to Cooktown for your departure transport. If camped out the previous night, you will be driven to the homestead first to pack up. |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 6 |
| Ability description: | Novice - Experienced. Guests are first asked to mount and ride in a large yard. If they are deemed a little too inexperienced to manage independently then they will be taken on a lead rein until deemed proficient enough to go it alone. |
| Type of ride: | Based cattle work and trail rides |
| Total riding time: | 4-8 hours, depending on the day |
| Departure dates: | Flexible dates from 1st May - 30th November |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |