Australian Horse Riding Holidays
By Carol Watson

Subdivision and urban sprawl are changing the landscape of many Australian towns and cities leaving fewer places to ride, but if trekking up a craggy mountain, traversing pristine white sands on a windswept beach or cantering across a wide-open plain feature in the riding fantasies of horse enthusiasts, there are ways to make this dream come true.

From Crocodile Dundee country in the north, to snow capped mountains and sand plains, Australia has the diversity of landscape to offer experienced riders, and those who have always wanted to be ‘riders for a day’, the opportunity to explore some otherwise inaccessible country, be part of a working station, ride on secluded beaches or to just see some of this vast country from horseback.

The popularity of escorted rides is evident by the multitude of businesses across each state that offer an extensive range of riding holidays providing anything from an hour in the saddle, a month long cattle muster or a camping trek along one of the gazetted horse trails,  to something far more luxurious and upmarket where the ride is followed by a sauna and spa experience in  five star accommodation.

Those not involved with horses may wonder why someone who had their own horse and rides regularly, or perhaps trains, coaches riders, works with horses or is involved with breeding would be enthusiastic about including horse riding in their holiday agenda. The answer is never just one reason, but for many who truly enjoy the lifestyle that includes horses, who class horses as their number one passion or hobby or even those whose partner is a ‘horse nut’ the concept of including riding in their holiday appeals.

A holiday on horseback means a break from schooling and personal goals; riding without any agenda other than enjoyment. The horses may not always be show quality or educated but they are well-trained for the job they do and have carried many a rider safely along the side of the mountain with the 100 metre drop off, through the deep part of the creek or down the seemingly impossibly steep hill, and are ones that the rider can relax on without having to worry about keeping on the bit, improving flexion or correcting every step of the way.

For those who, due to time or work constraints, do not have regular access to a horse, a riding holiday is not only an escape from the hum-drum of everyday life, but a way to live out their dream of being able to ride and enjoy horses every day. The wonderful and varied scenery, wildlife and company of horse enthusiasts from all walks of life make it easy to remember it’s all about relaxation and pleasure. It’s about taking a break from arenas, the show ring, highways and freeways and reconnecting with a different era and a different pace of travel.
Although it is not possible to detail the many and varied horse riding holiday options available, a quick search on ‘Google’will reveal options in every state.

A sample of the best horse back adventures in Australia are featured here, each affording visitors the chance to see a unique part of the country from the perfect vantage point.  With more than 200 years of horseback experience between them, these trail leaders can provide the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation to suit every level of rider.

Mt Bundy - Northern Territory
A visit to Mount Bundy, a working cattle station on the Adelaide River, offers riders the chance to explore country that few Australians will ever see. Far from the dry and dusty images often associated with the Northern Territory, much of the countryside has water all year round, so a trek usually includes a stay at a campsite where riders can have a swim in a hot spring, then cool off in a waterfall.

Sue and Scott Witham came to the Northern Territory three years ago to expand their cattle operations and, as Sue says, sort of sidetracked into tourism as guests were constantly asking if they could go for a ride.

“So, we thought we should probably get a few more horses and just add that to the experience we have here,” she says. “People get a taste of the Top End by having a ride on a real stockhorse out in the bush.”

Mount Bundy receives a wide range of visitors, from “people who’ve never even smelt a horse before” to high-level trainers from all disciplines, and they have horses that are not typical trail horses, they can cater for all abilities. Sue explains that they’re all working horses, so they’ll actually go off at a canter in the opposite direction if asked by the rider.

Top End bushland varies constantly, and riders won’t be bored with the scenery they can experience -  scenic hilltop views, floodplains, grasslands, stony ridges and savanna hills are amongst the attractions on many of the tours. Depending on the tour taken, others include World War 11 sites, historic station buildings and unique rock formations of the ‘Lost City’. 

There’s amazing bird life to be seen at Mount Bundy and riders will also spot wild brumbies, buffaloes, wild pigs, and kangaroos. They may also see wild scrub cattle and the odd crocodile and, Sue admits, there’s a little bit of a risk when crossing some of the rivers. “We obviously take all precautions, but there’s always that element of, ‘Ooh, I wonder if there’s a croc here,’ which adds to the excitement,” she laughs.

Sue says all her horses are lean and mean - Territory tough – and at Mount Bundy they aim to provide guests with an experience of real horsemanship in a landscape she describes as second to none.  “It’s still a frontier up here in the Top End. The country’s still very wild, the weather is still very wild, and I don’t think it’s ever going to be tamed. There’s no where else in Australia that you can get that real outback experience and be out in the middle of the never-never.”

Mt Bundy: (08) 8976 7009

Cradle Country Adventures – Tasmania
With names like The Billy Goat, Michelle’s Bend and Dynon’s Flat, the rides at Cradle Country Adventures are filled with promise and they don’t disappoint, as undulating tracks through the plantations and native forests of Tasmania’s northwest give riders sensational views of the mountains and Mersey Valley countryside.

Ray Becker claims to have the easiest job in the world. “It’s impossible not to fall in love with Tasmania,” he says, “you’d have to have no soul. The place is beautiful, the climate’s pretty reasonable - you can’t come to Tasmania and not have a good time.”

Ray conducts rides lasting from two hours to four days in duration but says he doesn’t stick to a strict regime, especially on the longer treks. “We give riders what will make them most comfortable and if that’s stopping and having a swim in the beautiful Mersey River, let’s do it!”
Ray plans to expand his operations with treks along the Tasmanian Trail in the near future. The trail, which extends from Devonport on the north coast to Dover in the south, is 480km in length and purpose built for horse riders, walkers and mountain bikers.  “You’re climbing from sea level up over the central highlands of Tasmania to 1000m and back down again,” Ray says. “There are some sections of it that are fairly arduous.”

Allowing for rest days, it would take four to five weeks to traverse its entire length so Ray intends to tackle a section at a time with rides lasting about a week. “We think that will suit most people.”

Other rides travel through undulating areas of old-growth eucalypt or myrtle forest, historic farmland, forest plantations and rivers, all with spectacular forest, rural and mountain views. A range of landscapes can be experienced on horseback, from the stunning agricultural hinterland of the Mersey Valley to the spectacular views of renowned Cradle Mountain. Rides also traverse areas the Great Western Tiers region and there are views across to the distant waters of Bass Strait.

The Man from Kangaroo Valley – New South Wales
“A bushwalk on horseback” is how Geoff Fearon describes his tours through the magnificent Kangaroo Valley in New South Wales. The ride passes through grazing lands and bush, then lush rainforest on its way to the top of Mt Moollootoo where riders can see almost a hundred kilometres across to the Morton National Park and the Kangaroo River.

The wildlife in the valley is so abundant Geoff says it’s like riding a horse through Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. “We see echidnas, wallabies and wombats and there are always lyrebirds running through the bush. Our back gate is the Morton National Park so there’s no barrier to the wildlife,” he says.

Geoff and his wife Gail train the horses themselves and their primary goal is to make the horse safe in the environment in which it operates. Geoff spends time showing riders how to communicate with the horses and how to ride in the bush – which differs from general riding – before they embark. One of his goals is to share what he’s learnt about the language of animals with visitors.

“It’s really what it’s all about, sharing something with other people and that’s what keeps me at it,” he says. “I do it because I love it, and I’ve always loved animals.”

“We’ve put together a herd of outstanding horses and our selection criteria emphasise safety and performance. Each horse is ridden and trained by our staff in all conditions and each must pass our rigorous selection process before joining the trail team.”

A stay on this magnificent property is an escape into the relaxing lifestyle of a working horse property.

Kangaroo Valley: (02) 4465 1912

Snowy Range Horseback Tours – Victoria
The high country, immortalised in Banjo Paterson’s poem and later The Man from Snowy River movies, has a wildness that sets it apart from every other landscape in Australia. Much of the area is environmentally sensitive and has been made part of the Australian Alps National Parks system, but it is still possible to experience our only alpine region on horseback.

Kevin Higgins’ family have lived and worked in the Snowy Ranges for several generations and Kevin says most Australians would be surprised to see what’s out there. “People travel overseas or interstate to see a view, but they don’t realise what they’ve got on their own doorstep. Victoria’s got the best scenery and the best horse riding in Australia.”

This is not bias, Kevin insists; it is simply a statement of fact as all the good scenery around Mt Kosciuszko, in New South Wales, has now been closed to visitors.

Harsh winters mean that treks to the highest altitudes can only take place between December and April and Kevin says while there’s a lot of bird life, few large animals make their home above the snow line, where winter snows can get up to three meters deep.

Various treks cover a range of ride experiences, from mustering cattle on Dennison Plains, climbing up or down rugged mountains interspersed with tall grass and scrubby snowgums, crossing crystal clear streams with smooth pebble bottoms and exploring mist filled valleys where the trees rise metres above the riders and their mounts. Longer rides offer riders the opportunity to perch on a rock and enjoy a picnic lunch and views across the Snowy Ranges – from a vantage point not accessible to the average person.

Kevin’s intimate knowledge of the high country led to his being cast as one of the crack riders in the 1988 film, “The Man from Snowy River II”, in which he recalls there was “a lot of galloping” over treacherous ground.

Six hours riding is the daily norm and Kevin believes that’s enough for most riders. “We have slow days, we have fast days,” he says. “Where it’s safe to canter, we canter, but at the end of the day, the horse and the rider have got to get back safely, that’s where your priority’s got to be.”

Snowy Range : (03) 5148 2118

Benson Park – South Australia
If visitors to Benson Park in South Australia feel like they’ve arrived in a different century, Ken and Bev Nitschke couldn’t be more pleased; they want their guests to experience the beauty of the Riverland at a pace where it can be fully appreciated.

Ken guides riders through the mallee bush, where wildlife abounds, and along the majestic River Murray where they can enjoy riding on a 300 acre river flat. The terrain is undulating with many small hills and good footing, and in warmer weather the horses can enjoy a splash in the cool clean waters of the river.

“We’ve got beautiful cliffs on one side of the river and the big river redgums on the other,” he says. “There are lots of river birds and kangaroos down there and we usually see a couple of houseboats going up the river as well.”

Ken was raised on the property where he lives still and at Benson Park he is fulfilling his dream of using horses to deliver a genuine experience of the Australian bush, reminiscent of an earlier time when entertainment was not dependent on electronics.

 “We spend the night at an outpost bush camp where there’s no electricity. We have fires and camp ovens and things like that, listen to the birds and watch the stars,” he says. “We’ve even got areas where your mobile doesn’t work.”

Ken enjoys sharing the beautiful scenery of his boyhood home and swapping stories with his guests.

Benson Park: (08) 8541 2283

Shannon Horseback Adventures – Western Australia
Five hours south of Perth, Shannon Horseback Adventure rides are set in the very heart of the stunningly beautiful D’Entrecasteaux National Park that stretches 130 kilometres from west to east. The park itself covers a range of pristine environments from wetlands, Karri forest, sand-dunes, coastal cliffs, wind swept beaches and areas of coastal heath, offering ride participants a unique look at a wilderness area not easily accessed. Jo and Kevin provide various treks through this country, including the popular spring wildflower season tours, a great way to see the unique and diverse wildflowers for which Western Australia is renowned.

The tours focus on putting people in touch with nature and in line with this philosophy, riders can enjoy camp tucker food and comfortable accommodation in a spacious tent or rustic hut.

Jo and Kevin cater for all riding levels, from complete novices to the very experienced, and on the first day riders will be matched to a horse by character and ability.

Many of the tracks are small ‘pads’ and the rides are not for the faint hearted as they can get a little overgrown, but the ‘bush-bashing’ through the foliage, led by Kevin, is all part of the excitement. A six hour ride to and from Lake Maringup includes sandy 4x4 tracks, which are ideal for lots of nice gentle canters, whereas spectacular and remote Coodamarup beach, reached by trekking through heavy bush and striking sand dunes is the place best known for being able to enjoy a good gallop. The rides, while exciting, are safe, with riders split into three groups to gallop along the beach, ensuring the horses don’t end up in a crazy, free for all race.

This is definitely a holiday that changes the way riders see normal life as Jo and Kevin do everything possible to make sure their guests forget about the pressures of life, and submerge themselves in a world of beautiful horses and remote wilderness.

Shannon: (08) 9765 3081

Equathon – Queensland
Noosa is probably best known for its beaches, and riding on the beach is one attraction of the area, but within a hundred kilometre radius you can also ride through eucalypt forests, rain forests, and cattle country. Equathon’s owner, Alex Watson, says that not only is it perfect riding weather ten months of the year, the variety of places to ride make it really attractive to visitors.
“Every day is a totally different sort of ride, yet you’re still very close to the last place,” he says. With several ride options on offer, the variety of scenery and riding experiences is huge – ranging from the lush rainforest and valleys of historic Mary Valley, to grass covered cattle country in Kilkivan, to the contrasting white beaches of Noosa and lush vegetation of its hinterland. Wildlife also abounds - wallabies, koalas, echidnas, possums and native birds remind the rider just how unique this country is. 

After a career as a pentathlete, representing Australia in three Olympic Games, Alex continued his involvement with horses, managing the pentathlon competition for Sydney 2000. That involved selecting and preparing the horses the pentathletes would use during the games and this experience has been carried over into Equathon, where Alex ensures that everything is to an international standard.

“People coming here from overseas, particularly horse owners, are not going to travel to the other side of the world if they’re going to get ordinary horses,” he says. “I was really determined to have good quality horses and gear and do it at a level that reflected well on the Noosa area also.”

With Fraser Island on their doorstep, beaches, restaurants, rivers and lakes there are plenty of options for non-riders as well.

“The typical thing is the wife and daughter want to go riding and the husband wants to play golf, and we can accommodate that,” Alex says. “We’ve also had people come and do a combined surfing/horse riding itinerary, so they spend half the day horse riding and half the day surfing.”
Alex says he and his team have had a lot of success helping people get over their phobias about riding.

They’ve also made a conscious effort to showcase the Australian stockhorse at Equathon, and guests often ask if they can buy their horse and take it home.

“They do get a really good experience of Australia without it being touristy,” he says. “A genuine Australian equestrian experience.”

Equathon: (07) 5474 2665

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