Snowy Mountain Getaway, Australia
Horses
Type of horses:
Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, Australian Stock Horses, Standard Breed and some Brumbies which have been schooled.
Nature of horses:
Various from bomb proof to forward going, all are sure-footed and mountain fit.
Height of horses:
From large pony size to over 16hh.
Weight limit:
100kg (experienced riders over 100kg may be accepted)
Tack type:
Australian stock saddles
Weather
Current Conditions:
Cloudy, 12 C
Forecast:
Fri - Partly Cloudy. High: 12 Low: 3
Sat - AM Showers. High: 9 Low: 2
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
£1379 per person.
This price includes riding, accommodation, all meals, soft drinks, transfers from and to Canberra Airport and the hire of sleeping bags and pillows.
From 11th June 2010, the price will change to £1321 per person as there will be flights available from Sydney to Cooma (which is closer to the destination and therefore the included transfer costs less). Guests who still wish to be collected from Canberra airport will be able to do so at the original cost of £1379
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
This is a privately owned 7200 acre wilderness property offering horse riding in the beautiful Snowy Mountains region of Australia, an area which Australian's colloquially called the 'High Country'. Much of the country's folklore, history and poetry originates from this region and it is the most popular riding destination in Australia. The famous movie and poem of 'The Man from Snowy River' comes from this area and riding here offers you that real experience.
Not only is this an excellent property for riding but it also acts as a sanctuary for the wild Brumby, a horse which is descended from escaped or lost horses, some of which belonged to the nation's early European settlers. Groups of Brumbies are known as 'mobs' not 'herds'! This destination is one of rugged beauty and the property is designed for people to stay and appreciate the wilderness and the wild animals that share it with them. As well as the Brumbies, this area is also home to kangaroos, wallabies, emus, wombats, echidnas, wedge-tailed eagles and deer, as well as many native species of flora and fauna. Situated about 30kms south of Jindabyne, the property is ideally placed for a high country wilderness holiday and is within easy reach of the major airport cities.
This destination is unique in that they have a huge amount of wilderness for guests to explore (the largest privately owned holding in the region) and much of it borders the Kosciuszko National Park and Wilderness areas. The famous Snowy River is nearby and the campsites throughout the property are strategically placed to cater perfectly to the riders' needs. Riding here is also accompanied by delicious gourmet meals (take a look at the menu in the food section below) which give holidays here that extra edge.
Although we are offering a week long stay which is based around camping, there are a variety of accommodation options available for based stays (including staying in the homestead or in a cottage). If you are interested in something different to the six day trail then don't hesitate to contact us and perhaps we can arrange something else to suit you. This is a remarkable setting in which to watch the lovely wild Brumbies, eat some delicious food and to observe the natural beauty and wildlife of the Snowy Mountains from the back of a sure-footed horse. The welcoming hosts invite you to share this special wilderness with them.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Accommodation is at several camp sites across the property. Each camp site has an A frame shelter with bunk beds, Aussie swags, a big fire place, toilets and bush showers. From here you can watch the sun go down over the Snowy Mountains, whilst enjoying your favourite brew around the campfire.
These are unique campsites and being outdoors is the best way to make the most of your Snowy Mountain experience. The temperatures here can range in winter from -2 to 12 and in the summer from 10 - 35. However, the combination of cosy beds and campfires mean that these campsites are nice and warm even in the middle of winter.
Your hosts specialise in gourmet food and offer delicious meals made from locally grown ingredients. The best thing here is to show you examples from their menu as the options really speak for themselves:
Dinner Menu:
- Aussie Camp Oven (slow cooked, marinated roasts in cast iron pots over an open fire)
- Louisiana Duck Gumbo
- Slow Roasted Rack of Pork (with sage and cloves)
- Cattlemen's BBQ
- Wild Mushroom and Truffle Risotto
- BBQ Moroccan Chicken
- Osso Bucco
- Pork Belly
- Many other options!
All dinner meals are served with seasonal vegetables, appetisers and desserts which include:
- Fruit Platters
- Italian Bread Pudding
- Sticky Date Pudding
Breakfast Menu:
- Continental (cereal, toast, cheese, boiled eggs, jams)
- Chorizo Sausage Frittata
- Bacon and Eggs
- Scrambled Eggs with Truffles
Lunch Menu:
- Assorted Gourmet Sandwiches (served with fruits of the day, juice and health bars)
Activities
This destination offers other great activities such as Brumby watching, fly fishing, quad biking, 4WD and hiking from the homestead, though during the riding trail you will have little time for this. Guests could always arrange to extend their stay if they wanted to try out some of these other things.
Further Details
Languages: English
Health requirements: Fit & Healthy
Age limit: None within reason
Tuition: No
Included: Riding, accommodation, all meals, soft drinks, transfers from and to Canberra, sleeping bags and pillows.
Not included: Flights, insurance, alcoholic drinks and extras
Travel Information
From 11th June 2010, flights will be available from Sydney to Cooma airport, which is closer to the destination than Canberra. For this reason, guests from then on are advised to fly into Sydney then take a short flight to Cooma from where you can be collected by coach or 4WD. The package price is adjusted to reflect the fact you are closer to the property and guests still wishing to be collecting from Canberra may do so for the original but slightly higher cost. Return transfers are included.
Airport: Cooma
Alternative Airport: Canberra Airport
Programme
Snowy Camping Adventure
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This package is a 6 day riding adventure with accommodation at privately owned campsites on your hosts' property. Your guide will take you through these beautiful landscapes, imparting to you their wonderful knowledge of the area which is drawn from generations of High Country horsemen. Brumby spotting is an additional treat and the meals are of a gourmet level and eaten around the campfire. Your hosts, Justin and Delia are experienced and friendly. Arrival Day: Pick up by 4WD or coach from Canberra Airport with a stop for shopping in Cooma, the gateway to Australia’s Snowy Mountains. On arrival at Snowy Wilderness you will be greeted at the historic Wool Shed reception, registered and allocated your horse for the ride. After getting to know your horse, you will be shown to the Homestead camp site where a fire will be under way, hot showers, tea/coffee/your favourite brew will be available. Dinner and appetisers will be ready for serving at 6:30PM. Day 1: Breakfast at 8:30AM. Arrive at approx 9:30AM at the Wool Shed. The ride departs from here at around 10.00am. It begins with riding through undulating, open pastures and there is the opportunity to view some Snowy Mountains brumby mobs, which often have mares with foals at foot. The ride then continues through more dense wilderness of gum trees and black sally’s, along scenic spurs and through gullies brimming with wildlife such as pretty faced wallabies, eastern grey kangaroos and the odd echidna or wombat. Following the Sheep Station creek north, the country becomes gradually steeper until the ride drops down to an emerald green grassy clearing on the creek, where lunch is scheduled. After lunch, the ride continues to the base of the western mountain range. From there, it is a relatively steep climb to the top of Snowy Wilderness. Once at the top, it is a short ride to “Lake Bella Vista Camp Site” which is the location of the first night’s camp. From the woolshed to the campsite, the ride will have travelled over 450 vertical meters. The afternoon is very scenic, with mountain gullies filled with ferns and native flowers and plenty of wild life including deer. Arrival at the camp is usually 4:00PM and preparations for the evening meal including a large camp fire are well under way by the support group. Hot water is ready for the bush showers and tea/coffee, and of course your favourite mountain brew. Drinks and appetisers at 5:00PM and Dinner at 7:00PM. Day 2: Day 2 is set aside to explore the top acreage of the property and is a an easier day’s riding. Firstly, the ride visits a panoramic lookout point called Rocky Top Lookout, and at approximately 1350m, there is a brilliant view of the Snowy Wilderness backyard and a view of things to come! The view takes in Mt Carlisle, Sheep Station Creek, Reedy Creek and Gully Creek valleys, and 3 volcanic peaks named the Tubbits. From the lookout, the ride explores the sub-alpine plateau and 4 mobs of brumbies including the Waler brumbies which were relocated to Snowy Wilderness 5 years ago. Waler brumbies are from the north of Australia and hold a unique position in Australia’s history as they are descended from horses of the 1st fleet and bred for Australia’s light horse cavalry. They are magnificent to see and you can get reasonably close to them. As the ride progresses, you visit the Snowy Wilderness truffle acreage, yes they are growing truffles just like France and Italy! There are also sweeping views across the top of Australia’s main range, which quite often has snow on it. Landmarks that can be seen here include Mt Kosciusko (Australia’s highest mountain at 2228m), Ramshead Range, and Mt Perisher. After this, the ride moves on to “Powers Hut”, typical of wilderness huts found in Australia's national parks and constructed in the early 1900’s. Power’s hut is 103 years old and the heritage of the Snowy Mountains is reflected in this building. A lunch site is chosen and there is opportunity to relax and take in the majestic surroundings. After lunch, the ride sets off in search of the Silver Brumby Mob. Led by a silver grey Waler stallion, this mob has mares who are different shades of grey and can be quite elusive, weaving through the grey snow gum trees. The Silver Brumby is a majestic horse and there is a series of children’s books in Australia called the Silver Brumby. Following this, the ride moves through slightly thicker bush to a vantage point locally known as the “Devils Marbles”, another wonderful lookout point over the eastern parts of Snowy Wilderness. The ride follows the ridge south to another site called Glenview. From here, there is a short ride home to the Lake Bella Vista campsite. Arrival at the camp is usually 4:00PM and preparations for the evening meal including a large camp fire are well under way by the support group. Hot water is ready for the bush showers and tea/coffee. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres at 5:00PM and Dinner at 7:00PM. Day 3: Today the ride moves down past Hidden Lake which helps irrigate the oak/truffle trees, and begins a steep descent through a beautiful glade then onto a steep spur back down towards Sheep Station Creek. Once again, commanding views impress upon you as you ride down the trail. Sheep Station Creek is crossed, and a steady climb out of Sheep Station Creek valley onto a scenic track along a ridge which weaves down to the northern boundary of the wilderness. From here, it is trail riding at its best, across spurs and gullies until you arrive at a beautiful open clearing on the banks of Reedy Creek where you have lunch. After lunch the ride continues crossing Reedy Creek and proceeds up a steep spur, then descending into Tin Mine Creek valley. You then climb up a gradual spur to the top of Mt Carlisle which provides stunning views to the south into the state of Victoria and west across Snowy Wilderness and some of the territory you have already covered. From the top of Mt Carlisle it is a gradual descent to the Gully Lake Campsite. Gully Lake for most of the year is dry and reminds people of a small oval or racetrack for horses. It is always fun to have a sporting activity at Gully Lake including the odd horse race around the perimeter of the “lake”, but for most it is the welcome of a hot bush shower, tea/coffee, or that stronger drink that tempts. Day 4: Day 4 of your adventure should start out with a soccer match, given that you are at the Gully Lake “sports venue”. With the guides joining in you should have a full complement and an impartial referee!! If not you will just make up numbers!!! Whenever the soccer has finished you will mount up and head out towards the north eastern corner and explore a spur which takes you down to Gully Creek and some beautiful rock formations. From there you proceed further north to the Paupong range and some beautiful valleys and ranges. You have lunch out in the Paupong, and then proceed west back into the Tin Mine Creek valley, a few creek crossings, and over some beautiful spurs and valleys into Reedy Creek. You then ride along Reedy Creek bed which is mainly sand with high banks on each side, very similar to some John Wayne movies you may have seen just prior to the ambush!!! You ride along to the beautiful and unique Reedy Creek campsite which is on a peninsular formed by a huge U turn that Reedy Creek takes before it meanders down to the Snowy River. Again, all the comforts of home are available at the campsite brought in by the 4WD support team. Drinks and appetisers at 5:00PM and Dinner at 7:00PM. Day 5: We ride out from Reedy creek wilderness camp following the creek until we come to the outline of the ruins of a stone wilderness hut which was occupied by a woman who traded milk and cheese with the cattle drovers who brought her flour and sugar on their way up to take their cattle through the high country to the markets at Bairnsdale near the coast in the state of Victoria. We then cross the creek a couple of times and ride up along what we call our Grand Canyon which is one of the biggest “wash outs” you have ever seen and is really impressive. We continue climbing up to our Yellow Box Gum ridge and then turn south to descend steeply back into the Reedy Creek before it joins Gully Creek and flows into the Snowy River. After you cross the creek you start to climb a spur that brings you to a wilderness hut built by Bruv McGuffick, a lone horseman who used this as his wild winter hut. You continue a gentle climb up to Bruv’s summer “residence” passing through beautiful Australian native pine trees. The group finds a nice place with a view to have lunch. After lunch the ride gets serious with some inspirational views and lookouts, water holes, wilderness bush to die for, and finally after a steep final climb the best view/lookout on Snowy Wilderness. It is then a gentle ride back to the Homestead campsite. Drinks and appetisers at 5:00PM and Dinner at 7:00PM Day 6: Day 6 starts with riding through the south western corner of the property where you cross over the Barry Way and make your way uphill into the sub alpine range of gum trees and meadows. You follow animal trails and some fire trails through tall dense forests of beautiful gums. Every now and then you break out onto a sub alpine meadow where sometimes mobs of brumbies may be grazing. After a few hours, the track gets steeper and you descend into the Bark Huts where the resting place of the infamous Dan Kelly is rumoured to be. As you climb out of the Bark Huts, you pass by another era where gold diggings existed out in the middle of nowhere and a large rock crushing machine stands abandoned. You then come out onto the Little Boggy which has beautiful streams flowing, thick grasses, and awesome views of the high country. You visit the odd stockman’s hut as you meander down through this spectacular scenery. You continue with a turn back to the south east and up through some spectacular frost plains and then descend into lush wilderness with the odd brumby running camp/yard that you visit. This is Australia’s best riding. You continue back to the north east and slowly descend back into Snowy Wilderness and the ride ends back at the historic Snowy Wilderness woolshed (usually around 3.30 - 4PM) in time for farewells and your connections back to Canberra Airport. |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 10 |
| Ability description: | Strong novice - experienced. |
| Type of ride: | Trail ride |
| Total riding time: | As detailed by programme |
| Departure dates: | All year round |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |