Jackaroo School, Rocky Creek, QUEENSLAND
Airing Date: Apr 19th, 2004
The Rocky Creek Jackaroo/Jillaroo School is located in Bundaberg, QLD. Run by Patricia and Peter Worsley, who have lived on the land for 30 years, the school offers travellers and backpackers the opportunity to experience real life on a farm.
The four day intensive course challenges you to work in all areas of the cattle station and become a true jackaroo. Activities include horse riding, raising cattle, learning to handle the stock, mending broken fences, and of course, learning to drive the tractor.
You'll be picked up from the bus stop at Childers, and accommodation and all meals are included in the four day package. The jackaroo school accommodation is basic but clean shared accommodation.
The idea of the course is to provide you with all the necessary skills to enable you to pursue a job as a jackaroo. Plus, they'll also find you employment when you've passed the course.
If the Jackaroo/Jillaroo experience sounds a bit tough, the property also offers farm stay holidays based at the main homestead, which includes a pool.
Guests can go bush walking in the surrounding hills or enjoy riding along the horse trails. This is a great chance to take in the stunning scenery and maybe even catch a glimpse of wallabies, kangaroos or dingoes in the wild.
There are also 4WD tours which take you through the Coongara State Forest, just nine kilometres from Rocky Creek. This rainforest area is rich with wonderful plant and birdlife and features caves to explore and swimming water holes to cool off in. A trip to the forest is sure to be a well-deserved break from the hard life of Jackerooing.
The facts
The four day Rocky Creek Jackaroo/Jillaroo Experience costs $484 per person. This includes accommodation, meals, horse riding and farm activities.
The Farmstay is $132 a night for adults and $77 for kids. This includes accommodation, horse riding, meals and farm activities.
Rocky Creek
Tel: 07 4127 1377
Tourism Queensland
Tel: 13 88 33
Queensland Parks and Wildlife
Tel: 07 4121 1800
Prices correct at 19/04/04
