Eidsvold Cattle Drive gears up for 2024 return with generous program of events

Campfire talks and intimate details shared is just one incredible experience in a cattle drive that raises money for the Eidsvold region’s essential healthcare groups.

The Eidsvold Cattle Drive is gearing up to make its return in 2024. Image credit: Andrew McInnes.

Eagle-eyed visitors and locals in the North Burnett may have noticed a slew of black bull signs decorating streets as part of the return of the biannual Eidsvold Cattle Drive.

The event has raised more than $100,000 for life-saving medical care.

The event was created in 2015 out of a desire to celebrate, promote and give back to the regional Eidsvold community.

The inaugural drive was in 2016.

While the program has grown over the years to include dinners, tours and morning teas, the heart of the event remains the cattle drive.

The seven-day journey is done on horseback through Eidsvold cattle properties, droving up to 500 head of cattle.

Organiser Vivian Hutchinson said the event had raised more than $100,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service – Queensland Section, LifeFlight and Burnett Rotary Lodge Bundaberg.

Sponsors across the North Burnett have had their donations to the Eidsvold Cattle Drive immortalised on black bull signs across the region.

Mrs Hutchinson said at the heart of the event was a desire to support the advancement of health in rural and regional communities, and to support those who had needed emergency medical transportation or accommodation.

She said this had fostered a sense of community by drive attendees, with many participants over the years taking a moment around the campfire to share their own health struggles.

“When we talk about health, we get predominantly women coming out and they’re around the campfire and you’ll have a chat and before you know it she’s telling you that she’s recovering from a mastectomy, and then you’ll talk to someone else who has had stomach cancer,” Mrs Hutchinson said.

“We met so many beautiful people who have been touched by cancer, or are doing it tough with other illnesses and they just want to sit back and reflect and be in nature.”

The drive takes up to 30 participants more than 70km across the Eidsvold region, with meals provided and nights spent under the stars.

Scenes from the 2018 Eidsvold Cattle Drive. Image credit: Andrew McInnes.

Participants will travel through several properties from April 7—13, including Tireen, Tandora, Culcraigie, Euroka and the historic Eidsvold Station before finishing at the Eidsvold Showground.

Dray rides will be available for those interested in taking part without saddling up.

This year’s event has already raised tens of thousands of dollars in sponsorship, with the sponsors memorialised on black bulls across the North Burnett.

“We’re making these bulls stand out, but it’s not just for Eidsvold, it’s for the whole region,” Mrs Hutchinson said.

Find out more information on the Eidsvold Cattle Drive website.

Originally published as Eidsvold Cattle Drive gears up for 2024 return with generous program of events