There are still cattle musterers working the Victorian High Plains on horseback. A week riding with them is one of the most authentic Australian outdoor experiences left.
The Tradition
Alpine grazing on the Victorian High Plains dates to the 1830s. Cattle were walked up to summer alpine pastures above the snowline from November and mustered back in autumn before the first snow. Most of this is now history — alpine grazing was progressively phased out of national park land — but some private freehold holdings and a small number of leased areas still run traditional musters.
What the Work Looks Like
Days start at 5:30am to feed and saddle horses. By 7am you are moving through country that drops and rises 400 vertical metres in a single morning's work. The alpine ash and snowgum scrub is dense — cattle hide in it effectively and finding them requires patience, noise, and dogs.
Lunch is eaten in the saddle or at a brief halt. Afternoons are dictated by the cattle and the weather — both unpredictable above 1400 metres in March.
The Gear
Horsemanship aside, the practical gear requirements are simple: a waterproof outer layer that can handle alpine weather changes without restricting movement, leather riding boots with a defined heel, and a hat that will not blow off at a canter. Browse our outerwear range and footwear — both suitable for horseback work in variable conditions.
