When it comes to leisurely horse rides, it doesn’t get much bigger than this.

In the spirit of Australia’s pioneers, Ocean View’s Rodger Parker will ditch the mod cons and saddle up for an epic cross-country adventure on horseback.

Next year the 55-year-old operating theatre assistant will swap the sterile surrounds of the Redcliffe Hospital for the open expanses of the outback to raise money for charity.

He plans to ride from his home to Bullo River Station in the Northern Territory in support of the Royal Flying Doctors and Cancer Council Queensland.

“This ride’s been in my mind for the last six or seven years, but part of the prerequisite to go was I had to pay the house off first … my wife said that’s the rule,” Mr Parker said.

“Maybe it was a midlife crisis thing at first but the seed (for the idea) hasn’t moved since I first planted it.”

Mr Parker was inspired to tackle the mammoth journey of about 3600km, “give or take a foot or two”, after falling in love with the Northern Territory as a teenager.

“My first job many years back when I was a lad was working as a stockman on a cattle property there,” he said. 

“I was only there for 12 months, I left school at 16 and went bush, and it left a big impression.

“Because I’ve worked in the Territory and appreciate the wide open spaces I’m looking forward to going back and seeing it by horse this time.

“I was going to use the stock routes but decided to go along the highways and through the towns, that way I’ve got more input with the townspeople.

“As a fundraiser, the more people I can get involved on the way the better results I’ll get.”

Mr Parker, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma two years ago, said he was most looking forward to the freedom and solitude offered by the open trail.

“By doing the ride itself it’s peace and quiet the whole time … and unless you’re a horse rider you probably can’t really appreciate it,” he said.

“Any time I’m out riding I look out across to different mountain ranges and think ‘what’s on the other side of that?’

“It’s just one of those lifetime journeys I think.”

For the trek, which he estimates could take up to 80 days to complete, Mr Parker will be supported by his wife Julee.

The Parkers are seeking sponsors and riding companions for the ride, scheduled for mid-2011. Phone 5498 2297.