Tour Itinerary
Please note that "Garawilla" is a "Working Farm" and that no week is ever the same as the other. While the core of the program is always covered, the activities on each course day change subject to jobs needing to be done on the farm.
Please refer to the program below as an example program.
Sunday
10.05am The Country Link train leaves Central Station in Sydney. Meet your fellow Jackaroos and Jillaroos on the train and enjoy the ride through the beautiful Hunter Valley in good company. In Tamworth the train is met by a Counrty Link Coach that will bring you to Bingara droping you off directly 50m away from your overnight stay in The Sportsman's Hotel. John your host for the week will meet you off the bus. Enjoy a meal and a few drinks with you new made friends and meet other fellow Jackaroo & Jillaroos that made their journey by their own transport or arrived from Brisbane.
Monday
8.30am Pick up from accommodation by Jackaroo Jillaroo Host John.
Brief announcement by the Farm staff, welcoming new Jackeroos & Jillaroos,
providing overview of property, preview Jackaroo Jillaroo program.
Introduction to Aussie Horsemanship, Australian Stock saddle, Whip,Saddle bag and Quad pot and other Stockman (Aussie word for cowboy)gear.
11.00am Smoko (morning tea)
Shoeing demonstration.
Meet your horse, saddling Horse,
12.30pm lunch,
2.00pm ride along the River checking Foals
and Mares in Paddocks.
5.00pm transfer to Homestead. Kickback after a shower and a good meal and enjoy the country sunset on the wide veranda of the Homestead.
Tuesday
7.30am Aussie Breakfast
8.30am Sheep Skills. Demonstration & participation in sheep shearing with a shearer.(Seasonal!)
Learn how to shed, Fly Blown Sheep, to sex sheep. Learn general sheep maintenance “Roustabout” in the Woolshed. Learn how to pickup fleece, throw the fleece, skirt the fleece, roll the wool, sweep up the locks and all other general duties.
10.00am Smoko Smoko: Billy tea & baked damper
10.30am Sheep Skills (cont): Demonstration of working dogs rounding up and penning sheep.
Learn basic “Livestock Handling” duties including how to handle sheep in the yards & race. Learn how to draft & count sheep. Learn how to drench sheep. Learn how to identify sheep sexes, breeds, age and health. Learn all general sheep maintenance & care
Sheep maintenance, Crutching sheep, Woolshed Roustabouting, Pressing Wool, Back lining, Treating Fly Blown Sheep,
12.30pm Lunch The Farm Station Woolshed & Yards Packed Lunch
2.00pm Sheep Skills (cont)
"Work in Progress"
The Farm Station Woolshed & Yards Yard Work. Pen & Drench Sheep in Race.
Muster Sheep back into paddocks.
5.00pm Free Time, Dinner, Evening entertainment.
Wednesday
7.30am Aussie Breakfast
8.30am Cattle muster. Learn how to work cattle on horseback.
11.00am Smoko
11.30h Cattle muster continued. Muster cattle into yards.
1.00am lunch
1.30am Cattle Yard work.
Learn how to work with cattle in the yards. Explanation of work to be done including drafting cattle and how to force cattle up the race.
Learn safety & precautions when working with cattle in yards including gates, movements around yards and cattle temperaments.
6.30pm Free time, Dinner, Evening entertainment.
Thursday
7.30am Aussie Breakfast
8.30am Stockman's Skills. Learn about horse health care, maintenance, diet, behavior, history, farriering, dental etc. Feed and check horses.
“Work in Progress”
Farriering, drenching horses, caring for sick or injured horses, replace lost shoe, dentist, horse gentler.
10.00am Smoko Smoko: Billy tea & baked damper
10.30am Horse Skills
The Farm Station Boundary Ride. Check fences, clear and repair “pop holes” and damage caused by kangaroos, pigs and vermin
“Work in Progress”
12.30pm Lunch
2.00pm Stockman Skills
The Farm Station Fencing. Learn how to build a stock proof fence. Learn how to dig holes and position posts, strainers, stays etc. Learn how to spin wire and strain a fence. Learn use of fencing equipment including spinner, fencing pliers, drill and strainers. Learn how to repair a fence including damaged “pop holed” fence. Learn how to hang a gate.
6.30pm Free time, Dinner, Evening entertainment
Friday
7.30am Aussie Breakfast
8.30am Handling young Horses. Learn how to approach young horses, their behavior patterns, thinking patterns and safety aspects in handling a young horse.
10.00am Smoko
"Work in Progress"
10.30am Horse Skills (cont.)breaking/starting a young horse. Ground work, getting the horse to trust you through games. Introducing horse to gear and tack.
12.30pm Lunch
2.00pm Horse Skills (cont.) Ride and swim with the horses in the River.
5.00pm Farewell Farewell beers with your fellow Jackaroos and Jillaroos and other local Stockmen at the Pub. Enjoy the company and the memories of a great week. Slipping into your comfy bed upstarts at the end of the night
Saturday Enjoy a nice breakfast at the Sportsman's hotel, then jump onto The Country Link Bus leaving Bingara at 8.26am and will meet the Country Link Train in Tamworth. Everyone arrives back in Sydney at 5.10pm