Diggers Rest Station, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Airing Date: Dec 30th, 2002
The station is a 90-minute drive from Kununurra and when it comes to the outback, this is about as outback as you can get.
The Kimberley is five times bigger than England and with a population of only 25 000, it's the least populated area in Australia - unless of course you count the cattle.
At Digger's Rest Station there are 2,500 Brahmans. Some of the cattle have never been yarded and they can get a bit toey, but that just makes the whole experience that much more exciting. It takes one hour on horseback to 'drive' the cattle to the yards, where they are branded and ear marked.
Keeping in mind that this is supposed to be a holiday, the station also caters for relaxation. If you feel like rolling up your sleeves for some outdoor fun, hook into a spot of barra fishing. In the Kimberley the Popeye mullet are said to be excellent, and when they're jumping the barra are biting.
A number of horse treks are also available, varying in length from an hour to seven days. The Sunset Billabong trek takes place at dusk, and includes drinks, nibbles and plenty of outback magic.
When night falls, the station offers a range of budget accommodation options. You can rough it at the camping ground, stay in a safari hut, bunk in the bunkhouse or relax in an air-conditioned room in the guesthouse. While there is no set menu at Digger's, simple meals are available on request. Alternatively, you can do your own tasty barbeque of barra and damper cooked over coals.
The facts
Qantas flies to Darwin from all capital cities.
Qantas
Tel: 13 13 13
Airnorth flies daily to Kununurra from Darwin and Broome. Prices start from $320 per person from Darwin and $365 per person from Broome. Price includes taxes. Conditions apply.
Airnorth
Tel: 1800 627 474
The Billabong Sunset Trek costs $70 per person and includes drinks and nibbles. Camping grounds cost from $7 per night. Safari huts are $20 per night and the bunkhouse is $25 per night. Air-conditioned rooms in the guesthouse start from $45 per person per night. Half day fishing tours cost $90 per person.
Digger's Rest Station
Tel: 08 9161 1029
Hertz
Tel: 13 30 39
Western Australian Tourism Commission
Tel: 1300 361 351
