This beach and bush ride on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland is the ultimate Australian bush and beach riding experience. It's the quintessential Australian ride where riding guests are mounted on superbly bred Australian Stock Horses, ride along untouched, vast expanses of beach, tail behind a mob of cattle and experience true bush spirit in outback Queensland.
Owner and guide Alex Watson who is a former Olympian pentathlete selected Australian stock horses as his chosen breed for guests as the breed is regarded as the world's most versatile horse being able to perform at everything from Olympic disciplines such as showjumping, eventing and dressage through to camp drafting, polo, trail work and cattle work. They have a renowned good temperament, hardiness, looks and ability to do well on limited amounts of prepared feeds.
The rhythmic sound of hooves galloping on wet sand, the pungent aroma of horse sweat in the air, the stinging sensation of salt water in wide eyes and the heady feeling of adrenalin mixed with speed: this is horse riding at its very best.
To ride a horse along the beach is a dream all horse enthusiasts yearn for. It's the appeal of galloping along never ending coast lines, thundering through the sea and the feeling of complete abandonment that has riders chomping at the bit to have their very own beach experience.
Guests leave the glistening sands of Noosa North Shore and are transported to the rough, rocky barren landscape of the Kilkivan bush, which offers a true Australian Outback experience. Days can vary from cantering through dry creek beds, leaping over fallen logs, pushing a mob of cattle, rubbing shoulders with Aussie bushies to tip toeing through a dense Bunya Pine forest where shafts of sunlight beam through the heavy canopy overhead.
Special ride to celebrate the 152nd Melbourne Cup
This 8 night/ 8 day Australian riding holiday makes riders drool in delight and anticipation. The itinerary combines ‘The race that stops a nation’ – the 152nd Melbourne Cup – with ‘The Man from Snowy River' mountain country – the Australian cult horse movie, into a neat, concise, fun and well priced ride.
Riding guests have the option to either ride through the famous, scenic Snowy Mountains for five days and then spend three nights in Melbourne celebrating the 152nd Melbourne Cup or alternatively party at the Cup in your finest race wear, have a punt and then tip toe through the Snowy Mountains for five days. The choice is yours!
The price is $5200 per person and includes transfers to and from Melbourne Airport, 3 nights hotel accommodation in 4.5 star Melbourne City hotel, Melbourne Cup premium hospitality package including marquee luncheon and reserve seating in Lawn Stand, 5 nights/5 days superb Snowy River High Country horse riding, all meals and accommodation whilst riding, local transport. The price does not include air fares to and from Melbourne or travel insurance.
Dates - October 30 to November 7, 2012.
time in saddle
3 to 5 hours
breed of horses
Australian Stock Horses
pace
The pace can vary from a walk right through to a gallop
riding ability
All riding abilities can catered from beginner to advanced
weight limit
Maximum of 100kg
accommodation
Four and half to five star holiday accommodation.
group size
Usually between 6 to 8 people
dates
2012: April 29 to May 5, June 3 to 9, June 17 to 23, July 8 to 14, July 22 to 28, August 19 to 25, September 2 to 8, September 16 to 22, October 14 to 20, November 25 to December.
Special Events for 2012:
Melbourne Cup/ Snowy River Ride
October 30 to November 7 - $5200 AUS
prices
$2,800 AUS all inclusive of meals, accommodation and riding.
This rate does not include flights, transfers to and from the ride and travel insurance.
Single supplement charge of $330 applies to single travellers.
Prices may be subject to change.