‘This ride was something I had wanted to do for a long time. I had grown up loving the Man from Snowy River movies and had always wanted to see the mountains with my own eyes. I finally figured that turning 40 was as good a time as ever. With approximately three hours’ riding experience in my 40 years of life, I decided to dive in and go for it.
I am so glad that I made that decision. To spend six days up in the High Country on the back of a beautiful horse was something I will never forget. My trusty steed, Donna, looked after me from the start (even though I am sure there were times she wanted to throw me off her back). She was steady, stable and calm.
It was great to be able to share this experience with other riders from all over Australia and the world. You start out as a bunch of strangers, but by the end you know everyone’s story. It’s amazing how easy it is to get along with people when you spend all day with them with no phones, no TV and no internet. We all sat around and ate our meals together and told each other our stories of the day’s riding. It was impossible NOT to connect with everyone.
As for the staff, honestly, I could not give them enough praise. Personally, they looked after me and made sure I was okay, as I was by far the least experienced person on the ride. But outside of that, they made sure EVERYTHING was covered. The horses were very well looked after, the food was faultless, the fires were always lit, the drinks were always cold and the whole crew became a part of the experience. I honestly could not think of anything that could have been done any better. If you have ever thought about it… do it. It doesn’t matter if you have no experience like me: the team will look after you and make sure you have the time of your life.’

‘I just had the most wonderful time on the Craig’s Hut ride, with wonderful horses and great company! Every day was heaven; the horses were well matched with the riders, the guides and support crew were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, and our group of riders were friendly and supportive.
I was impressed with the food (especially the sweets!), and I will never forget Woody, my wonderful mount for the week – he was very gentle and lovable, and I always felt safe on him. Each day just got better and better, but the day we got to ‘muster’ the cattle was my favourite – that’s when I felt that Woody and I really meshed.
Truly a memorable experience.’

‘The first word out of my mouth is ‘amazing!’ when friends ask about this trip. The owners, guides and staff were very friendly and super helpful. Nothing was ever too much trouble. The staff had the best sense of humour and there were lots of laughs. I rode a beautiful big mare called Audrey. She was quiet, honest and reliable and really looked after me. I loved the way she would stride out and be at the front. Our meals were absolutely amazing and delicious – we didn’t go hungry. Although I have visited the area before by vehicle, it was a completely different perspective on horseback. It was challenging at times; I had one afternoon off to recover and was well looked after. The horses were just beautiful. Well looked after and spoilt, they were a great herd. I definitely recommend this ride and would consider doing it again.’

‘Four days have passed since I did a trek to Craig’s Hut. Still Buzzing. Loved the campfires at night, sleeping in the rustic huts or in a swag, riding the sometimes stony, steep mountain tracks of Mt Stirling and surrounds, and trotting or cantering along the many trails we explored, picking the odd blackberry or raspberry. Awesome scenery – and I come from New Zealand, so I know awesome scenery. Billy, my steed, was gentle, yet with the right amount of pep when needed. I hadn’t ridden for about 20 years, and we were matched beautifully. I met some gorgeous people, guests as well as guides, and had a great night listening to Banjo Paterson poems being read and sung. Swampy’s ballads were great and the trip was everything I’d hoped for as a tribute to my dad – my ‘Man from Snowy River’.
Oh, and the food that was produced out of the back of that trailer – fantastic. I’d ride again just for that!’

‘This trip to the High Country of Victoria was the highlight of my year. It was a beautiful six days out in some of the most picturesque Aussie landscapes. I loved every part of it; from riding to the summit of Mount Stirling, to hearty meals around the fire each night, to seeing Craig’s Hut and cantering across Sheepyard Flat. I rode Prancer, one of Christian and Laura’s home-bred horses, and she was amazing. Surefooted, comfortable trot and canter, intuitive and so responsive. We made a great team and I didn’t want to say goodbye! Laura and Christian, their incredible team and their beautiful horses made this a trip to remember.’

‘My son and I took some time looking at differing rides and ride providers before settling on the Craig’s Hut Ride with Globetrotting and we weren’t disappointed. The ride, the terrain and the views were both spectacular and challenging, and as promised, we saw all four seasons in one day when we hit the High Country. The guides, crew and horses were fantastic and all looked after us well. All our guides were knowledgeable horse people and attentive to the needs of the group. Their local knowledge and narrative throughout the ride kept everyone informed, and in good humour. The ride was also split into two sub-groups depending on riding ability, thereby further enhancing and tailoring the experience to the needs and abilities of those participating.
The staff at Globetrotting made sure we had all the right information to enable us to properly prepare and couldn’t have been more helpful responding to any queries we had. All in all, a great trip, and for a must for any intrepid horse rider (especially if you’re a fan of the Man from Snowy River film).’

‘Myself and two good friends all went on the Craig’s Hut & High Country Ride with Christian and Laura Hayes. It was the most amazing experience and definitely did not disappoint on a lifelong dream! The staff are amazing and do everything to accommodate your every need. You couldn’t ask for better people to take you on a ride through the Victorian High Country! They know the ins and outs of the tracks, weather, huts, and stories that go with every stop along the way. The horses were matched to the riders almost perfectly, the tack was comfortable, and the meals… OMG! Robin and Christian cook you the most beautiful meals with all the flavour in the world. If you have even an inkling of trying this ride out… DO IT! We had the best experience and will be going back for another round… can’t wait!’

‘This trip was on the bucket list for a long time and now I have finally got to do it. It was the trip of a lifetime and passed expectations. Laura, Christian and all the staff do a wonderful job caring and catering for everyone in a happy friendly manner. The horses are well educated, a pleasure to ride and very well looked after.
No two days were the same and the scenery was spectacular. I meet some lovely interesting people from all walks of life and the meals were excellent. I would recommend this ride to anyone, you won’t be disappointed.’

‘Riding the Victorian High Country has always been a bucket list item for me and this ride far exceeded my expectations. The horses, gear, food and hosts were all amazing.’