Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Reviews
“ ~ Even though I had studied the ride itinerary carefully, I don’t think I realized how varied the riding was going to be, or the accommodation. Especially for UK riders used to roads and bridle paths, this is a hugely exciting thing! And you get to see the side of Australia you would never normally see as a tourist. ~ Horses really are top quality. Again, I think you could emphasize your strengths more here! Moose was perfect for the nervous rider – not a plod but obedient and steady. For stronger riders the stock horses are a fabulous experience (me next time!!!) Most trekking/trail rides at home /Europe don’t offer anywhere near this standard of mount, or variety. ”
Horses
Type of horses:
Australian Stock Horses plus selected breeds
Nature of horses:
Well trained and responsive, famous for their ability and temperament
Height of horses:
15-16 hh
Weight limit:
220lbs. Higher weight limit upon request
Tack type:
Australian stock saddles or English saddle upon request
Weather
Current Conditions:
Partly Cloudy, 22 C
Forecast:
Sat - Showers Late. High: 24 Low: 17
Sun - Rain. High: 24 Low: 15
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
Bush & Beach Trails
2010 Price: £1626 per person includes 7 days 6 nights full board accommodation. Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport (small additional cost for transfer from Brisbane).
Single supplement £196
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
150th Melbourne Cup Snowy River Ride
£3086 per person
This price includes transfers to and from Melbourne's Tullanarine Airport, 3 nights stay at 4.5 star Melbourne city hotel room with river views, full breakfast every morning, special breakfast with Melbourne Cup Winning Jockey, premium marquee hospitality at 150th cup race, transfers to and from the Snowy River Victoria High Country, 5 nights/5 days horse riding including tack, equipment and guides, comfortable boutique and historic homestead accommodations, 3 full meals served per day on riding location, a lifetime of memories!
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
You will fall in love with the Australian Stock horses, famous for their ability and temperament as you experience this horseback riding adventure. Your host, triple Olympian, Alex Watson, personally sought out the best horses and trails to develop this destination ride along Queensland's Sunshine Coast and pristine hinterland.
The horses, accommodation, scenery and fun loving guides combine to make this trip beyond expectations...a 'rip snorter' in Aussie lingo.
Canter along the beach, ride through tropical rainforest trails, and ride into the wonderful Australian Bush to muster cattle. You will be amazed at the scenery and wildlife - kangaroos, koalas and hundreds of native Australian bird.
This is 5 star riding!
The diversity of experiences in one region from the beach to the Noosa Trails and on to historic townships such as Kenilworth and Kilkivan is remarkable.
The varied scenery through state forests, rainforests, across beaches and open ranges is impressive. The hospitality and accommodation with your hosts serving a delicious array of meals and good conversation makes this a memorable Australian experience that you cannot fail to enjoy.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
The accommodation is good enough to want to take home with you.
The first lodge is in the heart of the Mary River valley nestling in 50 picturesque acres with mountain views. The facilities include Queen-size bedrooms opening onto wide verandas, lounge area with open fireplace and a large resort style swimming pool.
The second is at the place where gold was first discovered in Queensland and led to the gold rush. It is an historic building being the former Union Bank and is a multi-award winning bed and breakfast.
The third is in the heart of the Noosa Trail Network and is luxury accommodation all with swimming pools and pampering facilities.
Breakfasts are served at your accommodation each of which is chosen carefully. Lunches may be served in a cafe, pub or alfresco and will be light/BBQ. At your accommodation pre-dinner drinks will be served prior to a delicious dinner chosen from a menu and served in exclusive and in some cases, award winning restaurants .
Activities
Massage, spa treatments, are available in some resorts. Explore the National Parks, the beach or Noosa's famous Hastings Street iconic shopping centre.
Surfing, fishing , golf, sightseeing, dining and exploring local markets are all available for non-riders.
There are optional visits to Edmundi markets (wed and sat), Fraser Island, and Australia Zoo founded by the late Steve Irwin, famed Crocodile Hunter.
Further Details
Languages: English
Health requirements: Standard British Schedule of Diptheria, Tetanus and Polio (please check with GP)
Age limit: None
Tuition: Tuition can be arranged. There is an assessment/horse matching day on the first day, there will be a chance to change tack or your horse, before the trail starts.
Included: 7days/6nights full board accommodation and riding, transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport. (Brisbane airport transfer has a small additional cost to be quoted at the time of booking) Five days of guided trail riding, horse saddlery, tack and safety helmets, choice of English saddles or Australian stock saddles (Western style saddle)
Not included: Flights and travel insurance. Gratuities
Travel Information
Transfer time from Sunshine Coast airport is 15mins drive and from Brisbane airport 1.5hrs drive. Transfers are available from Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Brisbane Airport. Cost of transfers will be quoted at time of booking.
Airport: Sunshine Coast
Alternative Airport: Brisbane
Programmes
Bush & Beach Trails
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Day 1: On arrival you will be transferred to a beautiful lodge in the heart of the Mary River Valley and introduced to your hosts for the next two days. The Lodge is nestled on 50 picturesque acres with mountain views. The facilities include queen-size bedrooms opening onto wide verandas, lounge area with open fireplace and a large resort style swimming pool. The lodge has a working Cobb & Co. Coach, sulky and carriage and resident harness horses driven by your host. There are also resident wildlife - wallabies, koalas, echidnas, possums and birdlife. Lunch (depending on your arrival time) includes a ride itinerary orientation. You will then be introduced to your Australian Stock horses. Pre-dinner drinks will be served in the lounge and Dinner will then be served in the beautifully appointed dining room or, weather permitting, alfresco. Day 2: After a delicious breakfast, you will prepare the horses for departure. Today you will ride through beautiful state forest and rainforest country. The ride duration will be 3.5 to 4 hrs. After lunch you will assemble for travel to towns high on the Blackall Range. Early evening you will return to your Lodge to prepare for pre-dinner drinks and then dinner. Day 3: After breakfast you depart for your next two nights in the place where gold was first discovered in Queensland and led to a gold-rush in the area which finally centred itself around the historic town of Gympie. Your accommodation is an historic building being the former Union Bank and today it is an award-winning bed and breakfast with cafe/restaurant facilities operated by charming hosts. After being shown to your room you can enjoy a delicious traditional morning tea then start the Wongella Trail ride, part of the trails which make up the annual Great Kilkivan Horse Ride. During this ride you will pass through a variety of open range country and what is called the Valley of the Grasstrees. The ride duration will be approx 4 hrs. This is followed by a sit-down BBQ lunch which may include being entertained by a local historian and bush poet. Transport is then provided back to your accommodation with time to relax or explore the town followed by dinner. Day 4: Following breakfast you depart for an Australian Stock Horse stud of over 10,000 acres and nearly 200 horses plus quite a few cattle. You then mount up and ride through the property looking for herds of cattle or horses to be mustered then stop for lunch. After lunch you depart for a visit to a riding store and if time permits, a visit to a local saddler and a pub. You are then able to enjoy pre-dinner drinks on the balcony before dinner. Day 5: After breakfast depart for Kin Kin in the heart of the Noosa Trail Network for your next hotel and prepare the horses. Then mount up to ride the Noosa Trail Network, usually starting with Trail no 1 - the Kin Kin Countryside Loop complete with ocean and Hinterland views. This ride is 3.5hrs. Then after a light lunch and welcome drink at the Kin Kin pub you depart for Noosa and check into your luxury accommodation for the next two nights which has a swimming pool and pampering facilities. Dinner is either at the resort or in one of Noosa's exclusive restaurants. Day 6: Breakfast is followed by departure for Noosa North Shore. Horses are prepared and then you commence a ride through the bush to the spectacular Laguna Bay and Teewah Beach for a memorable trip along the pristine Noosa North Shore. Return to Noosa for a light lunch then return to your luxury accommodation and spend the afternoon chilling out with massage, spa treatments or explore Noosa's famous Hastings Street, beach or National Parks. The day will end with your host transferring you to Rasa's restaurant along the Noosa river precinct for a memorable dinner to complement a wonderful week of riding. Day 7: Breakfast then time to return home |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 10 |
| Ability description: | Novice to experienced |
| Type of ride: | Slow at times, moderate to fast at other times |
| Total riding time: | 2 - 5 hours per day |
| Departure dates: | Dates for 2010: 12 - 18 September; 26 September - 2 October; 10 - 16 October; 14 - 20 November. If you require a specialised itinerary for you or your group, this can be arranged for you. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
150th Melbourne Cup Snowy River Ride
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A riding tour in combination with attendance at the 150th running of the famous Melbourne Cup Race. Tour 1 begins with riding in the Snowy Mountains followed by attendance at the cup race and Tour 2 starts with the race and then moves on to the mountain riding. Your hosts will be working in combination with a well established riding company in Victoria and attendance at the race is with tickets for a premium marquee package. This involves reserve lawn stand seating. TOUR 1: Day 1 Tue. Oct 26th Arrive Melbourne - travel to Snowy Mountain ride location. You arrive at the celebrated “Riverhouse at Howqua Dale”, a magnificent country house hotel on the banks of the Howqua River. The 6 double rooms with ensuites all have beautiful views of the garden or countryside. Enjoy a relaxing hot shower before a riverside BBQ dinner in one of Victoria’s prettiest valleys. Day 2 Wed. Oct 27th You arrive at the high country farming property that has been in the Watson family for many generations. After saddling up, you set off on our ‘Man from Snowy River’ experience on horseback. You ride up to spectacular 360 degree views and along the way, watch out for the wildlife that often takes a look at us, including kangaroos, wallabies and Australia’s largest bird of flight, the wedge tail eagle. You stop at “Dungeon Hut” for lunch and enjoy a gourmet hamper lunch and then in the afternoon you traverse the bridle tracks through quiet valleys and points of rich historical interest to the “Riverhouse at Howqua Dale” for the evening. Day 3 Thu. Oct 28th The next morning you enjoy an early hearty country breakfast and start your journey up the majestic Howqua River along the high track towards “Stockyard Creek”. It is a challenging days riding with spectacular views over the river, tree fern gullies and long cantering sections. You stop for a pack lunch on the river bank surrounded by just mountains. After lunch you ride through Wares Flat, Whisky Flat and Tobacco Flat and into Stockyard Creek to the Stoney family’s Pioneering Homestead. Here you are greeted with a cool drink and warm hospitality by Wendy Jubb Stoney. Enjoy a sumptuous traditional Australian dinner at the homestead with all the trimmings and then retire to your room furnished with original pioneer relics and sun kissed sheets. Day 4 Fri. Oct 29 A relaxing sleep-in then an indulgent breakfast awaits you. This is a day of relaxation where we ride to explore the historic Howqua Hills area including ‘Picture Point’, and ‘The Chinese Gold Diggings’, ‘Mad Professors Hut’, ‘Fred Fry’s Hut’ and ‘Tunnel Bend’. Tonight’s dinner is a special affair at “Greenstone” the Stoney family house where we will enjoy a wonderful degustation dinner. Day 5 Sat. Oct 30th An early rise followed by a sumptuous breakfast. Today you return via the river track to the Riverhouse with long cantering flats and 30 river crossing. Lunch today is at the “Hideout” with much memorabilia from the “Man from Snowy River” movie. Tonight we take a drive to the historic Kevington Hotel on the banks of the Goulburn River for dinner. This is one of the longest continually licensed hotels in Victoria dating back to the Gold Rush era. Day 6 Sun. Oct 31st Next morning you enjoy a hearty country breakfast that gives you a big energy boost before you set off for “Kate Cameron’s Peak” where you see the perilously steep hill where the famous jump scene from the movie was filmed. Your wind your way back down to Kinloch Winery for lunch to complete our ride. Depart for Melbourne: Accommodation will be at Melbourne Citygate Hotel. All of the guests will be staying in deluxe rooms with water views. The hotel is located directly across from the historic Flinders Street Train Station. Day 7 Mon., Nov 1 Melbourne Cup Parade Guests will have a special meet-and-greet breakfast with Melbourne Cup winning jockey John Marshall. John rode for 12 time Melbourne Cup winning trainer Bart Cummings. Guests will enjoy a leisurely day exploring the city of Melbourne with an opportunity to watch the traditional Melbourne Cup city parade featuring legendary past jockeys and horses that competed for The Cup taking part in the procession. Dinner tonight will be at Melbourne’s iconic Italian restaurant E Cucina. Day 8 Tue. Nov 2nd 150th Melbourne Cup Day! It is time for the fancy hats and frocks for the historic 150th running of the Melbourne Cup! It is “The race that stops the nation” and a once in a lifetime opportunity. Guests will be located in a premium private marquee that includes a plated entree and buffet lunch, complimentary beer and wine, with light entertainment in the courtyard between the races. Guests will be seated in the reserved section of the Lawn Stand to watch the races. Day 9 Wed. Nov 3rd Depart after a true Australian Adventure! TOUR 2: Practically the same but the other way around, beginning with arrival in Melbourne and then moving on to riding in the mountains after the cup race. Please contact office to see it exactly. |
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| Accommodation: | Accommodation consists of 3 nights in a 4.5 star Melbourne city hotel and then the other nights are in comfortable boutique and historic homestead accommodations. |
| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate+ |
| Type of ride: | Trail rides and attendance to 150th Melbourne Cup race. |
| Total riding time: | As per itinerary |
| Departure dates: | Tour 1: 26th Oct - 3rd Nov. Tour 2: 31st Oct - 9th Nov. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |