Outback brought to coast with passion

The Outback Experience will debut in Dunsborough on Saturday, with a showcase of working dogs and horses, tribute songs and tales from the bush.

Tom Curtain and Annabel McLarty have teamed up to bring their highly rated Katherine Outback Experience to WA and say it’s a chance to see a side of Australia that many miss out on.

“Most travellers never get off the bitumen, so we bring the outback to them,” Mr Curtain said.

Mr Curtain is a passionate horse trainer and worked for the Heytesbury Cattle Company’s 23,000-head cattle station Mt Sanford before setting up his own contracting business, which specialises in breaking-in horses and working dogs.

Mr Curtain is also a talented songwriter and singer, and his track Smack Bang, from his debut album, went to number one on the Australian Country Music Charts.

His third album is set to be released early in the new year.

Ms McLarty comes from Pinjarra, where her family, with heritage dating back to WA’s pioneering days, runs a beef cattle property.

With an education in commerce, Ms McLarty brings a vivid voice to the outback show, touching on recent issues of hardship as a result of the live export cattle ban of 2011.

The couple are both accomplished in the equine sport of campdrafting and together are bringing a wealth of experience to many people who seek an insight into life in the outback.

“By no means is our working dog and horse show completely polished,” Mr Curtain said.

“Everything usually hits the fan, which seems to be a real drawcard with our audiences, who appreciate the authenticity.”

Further information on the show is available at katherineoutbackexperience.com.au.