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Where does the Jackaroo Jillaroo course take place?
Our Bingara property is located 25km outside of Bingara, a very pretty country town on the banks of the Gwydir River. We meet out front of the Imperial Hotel in the main street of Bingara on Sunday morning at 8.30am.
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What transport should I take if I'm coming from Sydney?
Country Link. Train Sydney to Tamworth then continue with Country Link Bus to Bingara.
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What transport should I take if I'm coming from Brisbane?
Greyhound Bus to Tamworth, then continue with Country Link Bus to Bingara.
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Can you tell me what the train timetable to and from Sydney is?
Depart Sydney /Saturday/ from Central Station at 10.05am, arrive Tamworth at 4.17pm, depart Tamworth at 4.31pm, arrive in Bingara at 6.28pm Return: Depart Bingara /Friday/ at 8.23am, arrive in Tamworth at 10.31am, depart Tamworth at 10.46am, arrive Sydney at 5.03pm. To book Country Link call 132242.
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Can you tell me what the bus timetable to and from Brisbane is?
Depart BNE /Friday/ at 6.30pm, arrive Tamworth at 5.45am /Saturday/, depart Tamworth at 4.31pm arrive Bingara at 6.28pm Return: Depart Bingara /Friday/ at 8.23am arrive in Tamworth at 10.31am, depart Tamworth /Saturday/ at 8.00am arrive BNE at 6.15pm. To book Greyhound call 131499.
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Where should I stay the night before and after the course?
There is a overnight stay in Bingara necessary on Saturday night and Thursday night. Accommodation is in the Imperial Hotel (one block away from set down point of County Link Bus). You will need to purchase this separately if you do not buy one of the packages.
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What will I do for dinner on Saturday evening & Thursday evening?
You have the option on eating at the Bingara Cafe across the road from the Imperial Hotel on Saturday night or an over the counter meals at the Imperial hotel where you are staying. On Thursday night all the Jackaroos & Jillaroos get together on their last night at the RSL for a buffet meal and chance to win a prize in the meat tray!
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Jackaroo Jillaroo School Pick Up?
Sunday 8.30am. Meet John Wade, your Jackaroo Jillaroo Host outside the Imperial Hotel.
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Jackaroo Jillaroo School Drop Off?
Thursday 5.00pm approx by John Wade at Bingara Hotel.
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What's provided?
Homestead accommodation, linen, home cooked meals and snacks, riding helmets, horse and Tack, limited no. of riding boots (depending on size), whips etc.
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What should I bring?
Towel, sun hat, swimmers (yes people can swim their horse in the river), sunblock, old clothes (can be purchased at Salvos Op-shop in Bingara), phone card (phone in Homestead is available), and camera. Most things can be purchased in Bingara on Monday. John will take people around town for last minute shopping. We recommend to buy some wine, beer or other beverages for the nice nights out on the veranda, looking at the stars and having a yarn to new made friends!
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Is there Internet, Mobile Phone and or Telephone access on the property?
There is no Internet access on the farm and mobile reception is very patchy. We suggest that you make this clear to everyone you know on Facebook or by email before we pick you up on Sunday morning otherwise they might get worried. If you really need to you can buy a phone card and make a call from the property whenever you like.
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What if I want to reserve my course but I'm not sure when I will do it?
You can "open date" your ticket, pay for it now and then let us know when you want to travel. We will issue you with a ticket and you will be entered into our reservation system.
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What if I don't know where I'm going after the course?
If you book a package but want to stay on or look at getting a job we will "open date" the onward travel component of your ticket and you can let us know when you're ready to go.
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I'm not looking to get a job after the course so I don't need the Job Board do I have to pay for it?
Thats OK you don't need to use it. The Job Board is an optional free service for our customers that are looking to go on to further their experiences. There is no cost for using it.
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Which product is right for me?
You can find out which program or tour is suitable for you under "What's Included" on the main product page.
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Are there any age limits?
If participants are under 18years they need to be accompanied by an adult. There is no upper age limit with our record eldest participant being a 64 year old lady from France!
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What's included?
Each tour varies. Please refer to the Whats Included section for each tour. You can also download a detailed Itinerary.
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Where will I stay?
We have Homestead style accommodation and Jackaroo and Jillaroos have the run of the place! It's a renovated authentic farmhouse with modern kitchen, clean new separate showers and toilets, lounge room with TV, seven bedrooms with different combinations of dorms and some twins plus wide open verandas. We call it the "Outback Hilton"!
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How much horseriding will I do?
Lot's and lot's of horse riding for beginners to expert riders. Riding just about every day. As we say you'll "Ride until your bum hurts".
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What if I'm a beginner? Do I need to have ridden a horse before?
Beginners get one on one riding instruction to build their confidence and skills fast.
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What if I'm an experienced rider?
Riders are well catered for with good horses, great riding and excellent instructions.
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Can you tell me more about who'll be looking after me when I'm horse riding?
You'll be trained and taken care of by John Wade – an expert Aussie horseman who's trained tens of thousands of beginner, intermediate and advanced riders for over 20 years.
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Tell me more about the property and Bingara. What's it like and what will I do?
We ride from two locations. One on the edge of town right on the Gwydir River and second the Homestead on our 3000 acre Bingara property. All Jackeroos & Jilleroos get the chance to strip the saddles off the horses and go swimming with them in the Gwydir River – an amazing experience. You'll also get to muster cattle, sheep & work with the horses that are just starting up or being broken in. Because this is a working property you'll be part of "Working in progress" on the farm and the mustering and activities plus every other job has a real purpose.
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I heard there's lots of horses up there. Is that true?
Numbers vary but at any one time there may be 300 Horses with 150 Foals born every year in September. This really is then a "Horse lovers Paradise" and you will be involved in helping to meet all aspects of their day to needs including training, feeding, grooming, shoeing and treating them for ailments like colic.
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What about the food. Whats it like?
The food is plentiful and home cooked. There is a well stocked pantry if you get hungry in between. Vegetarians are catered for too just let us know.
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This whole thing sounds like a good time?
Your sure to have fun and lots of it. You'll share a few belly laughs with John and Cathy. Bingara on a Thursday night is a classic too! Enjoy a few beers with the local Stockmen at the pub.
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Is it true that you can help find me a job after the program?
Yes we can help find you work but remember that a one or two week program won't qualify you for work that takes years to master. Some people have skills they bring with them like a trade or horse riding and for these people there are better opportunities. Jobs are subject to seasonality too. We are not a job agency and we do not guarantee a placement. Take a look at our Job Board. Its included free for those doing our course to help you find work. There are paid jobs and volunteering jobs. If your looking for more of an experience look at volunteering. There is plenty of opportunity to work for board and keep so you'll be looked after and have great time. If you're prepared to work hard and stick it out for a while then employers will try and help you too.
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Are there any additional costs?
Meals in transit to and from Bingara. Dinner Saturday and Thursday nights. If you haven't booked one of our packages you will need to book transport to and from Bingara and accommodation before and after the course. Don't leave this to the last minute as you might not get a ticket.
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Do I need to bring any food or drinks with me?
No everything is supplied. You might want to bring additional snacks and alcohol with you from Bingara, Its 25km to the town and trips in there from the property are irregular. There are vending machines on the property.
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Do I need to wear a helmet when I ride?
Yes as part of our public liability you will need to wear one. Its for your safety.
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Can I travel with a group?
Sure can and we offer group discounts.
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Can I do more than one program?
Yes and we can arrange transfers if you need them.
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Should I purchase travel insurance?
It is recommended.
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What will the weather be like?
Cool in the evenings in winter but generally warm to hot most of the year round. Rain? If you could bring some with you that would be nice!
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How can I get cash out there?
There are ATMs and banks in Bingara.
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