While we were enjoying the sights and sounds of Katherine we went to the Katherine Visitor Information Centre. The lady behind the counter suggested if we wanted to go and find something different we should visit Katherine Outback Experience. She said this was a great show to go and see and that it would be a good introduction to life on an outback station. As well we would get to see a horse-breaking demonstration and how dogs are trained to muster cattle.
Sounded good to us and so off we went. The Tuesday morning session is an action packed entertaining 2.5 hour show with morning tea supplied. On arrival we were greeted by a beautiful young lady by the name of Annabel. The agenda of the morning was explained to us and then we were encouraged to have a look around and say hello to the farm animals before the show began.
Annabel opens the show welcoming us and introducing Tom Curtain our main host for the morning. Tom also happens to be Annabel’s fiancé and their wedding is planned for August. This was a ‘wow’ moment for us as we never expected to be sitting in the Northern Territory’s outback and being entertained by Tom Curtain a two-time Australian Country Music Golden Guitar winner and horseman extraordinaire. This guy with a great sense of humour immediately makes you feel at home and explained the history of how the Katherine Outback Experience began.
In 2011 Tom was a horse-breaker and trainer in the Top End but then came the government’s decision to ban the live export of cattle. This had a flow-on effect for Tom as stations who he had worked for ceased a lot of their operations including the breaking and training of horses for their drovers. So to help him make ends meet he put his other passions of singing and storytelling to work. He started singing four times a week at the local Big 4 Katherine Caravan Park while also telling stories about how he had trained problematic horses and so forth. People began wanting to know more about station life and how this modern day stockman trained horses.
Long story short Tom combined his passions and in 2013 Katherine Outback Experience was born. With Annabel at his side they have gone on to build a passion into a business which they both obviously love immensely.
The show was awesome. I particularly loved watching Tom break in a horse which he said he had only been working with for a few hours the previous day. It was truly mesmerizing to hear how Tom was able to read what the horse was thinking. He also showed us the horse’s body language as to how it may react to certain actions by the flick or general position of its ears. Tom admits that he does not always get to ride the horse, but we were lucky that this day the horse was co-operative. At all times Tom showed compassion for the horse and made sure it remained calm and relaxed as much as possible. Just wonderful.
Did I tell you that Tom sings? Yep he sure does and does it well. He sang his new song and I could not leave without buying the CD which I have played over and over in the car and in the van while singing along. Well Graeme will say trying to sing along.
We also got introduced to some of the regular animals you find on a station in the outback and we particularly enjoyed learning why there are so many Brahman cattle in the Top End. At the end of this session we got a chance to get up close and personal with the animals. Annabel also introduced us to Legend, the horse who loves to roll out a swag and lie down and have a snooze or should I say snore. You can check it out on the video we will post later.
Next we watched the working dogs being trained to muster cattle and sheep. This was again very awesome and these dogs are so smart and Tom had to be constantly on the ball to make sure some of the cheeky ones were not making a move behind his back. The day was not too hot but there is plenty of good shade and it was great to be offered cold water and an icy pole at this point of the show. Later we enjoyed a delicious morning tea and chat with other travellers. It was also great to speak with Tom himself and of course Annabel.
The price for an adult is $55 and seniors pay $50. Kids under 5 are free and students $30.
We loved every bit of the show and thanks so much Tom and Annabel and all your team members for enlightening us on outback station life. Hopefully we will see you again when you tour the east coast and our part of Australia during the NT’s wet season.
Well that’s enough for now.
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