Yippee, you’re off to Margaret River today! Whether you drive, take the bus or fly, you’ll need to arrive at your hosts’ gorgeous property between 5 and 7pm. A delicious al fresco welcome dinner will be served while you get to know your fellow guests, your hosts, Paul and Fiona, and their hardworking team. Then it’s into the canvas bell tents to get some sleep.

Waking up to a chorus of birdsong from the surrounding eucalypt forests, you’ll emerge from your teepee to refuel with good coffee and a cooked breakfast. Then you’ll meet your horse for the week and head out for a three-hour ride to Irishman’s Pool through Rapids Conservation Park. Traversing sandy-bottomed tracks, there is plenty of time to become acquainted with your trusty steed. Depending on the weather, it’s worth having a plunge in Irishman’s Pool before enjoying a picnic lunch.

Returning to Paul and Fiona’s property, you’ll be treated to a Welcome to Country by proud Waljin woman, Mitchella (Mitch) Hutchins. After an afternoon spent with Mitch, you’ll feel spiritually connected to the bush that you’ll ride through for the next four days. With eyes wide open, you’ll appreciate the land, flora and fauna through an Indigenous person’s eyes and understand how their relationship with their surrounds is one of mutual respect. Globetrotting had some spine-tingling moments in Mitch’s company and believe it’s an incredibly special off-the-horse highlight to this colourful and sensory-overloaded itinerary.

Dinner will be prepared by local catering legends who specialise in hearty farm-style, regional food.

This morning you’ll mount up and ride overland to the iconic Berry Farm, which is a highlight for the throngs of tourists who visit Margaret River. You’ll ride through neighbouring properties and conservation parks and gain a wonderful appreciation of the native bush that surrounds Margaret River. Your guide, Paul Brennan, is a wealth of knowledge and will keep you thoroughly entertained. This is a three-and-a-half hour ride with a morning tea break. You should arrive at the Berry Farm by 12pm, where you’ll enjoy a lovely lunch of gourmet platters. Following lunch, you’ll have some time to peruse the shop and gardens of this iconic tourist hot-spot, before heading back to base either on horseback or in the support vehicle if you’re feeling a little weary. Dinner will be enjoyed under the twinkling night sky.

After another stomach-filling breakfast, you’ll load the horses into the truck and set out for the Boranup Karri Forest. You’re welcome to follow the truck in your own vehicles, or use the included transport options should you wish. This beautiful ride through the tall timbers of the karri forest will take your breath away. Towering karri trees, some well over 60 metres in height, undulate across the valley. With sunlight streaming onto their smooth trunks, this forest is a feast for the senses – wildflowers, orchids and fungi (in season) coat the forest floor, the fresh smell of eucalyptus fills your nostrils and the sounds of native birds punctuate the silence. This will be one magical ride, globetrotters. Lunch is packed in your saddle bags today so you can take a break whenever the time seems right!

Later, after a siesta back at base, you’re invited to mount up and try your hand at polocrosse, as tutored by Paul, who played polocrosse for Australia for a number of years. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience this fast-paced game in a safe environment on Paul and Fiona’s home field. You’ll also have the opportunity to try novelties such as barrel racing, flags and rescue racing games – reliving your Pony Club days! Then another hearty dinner awaits.

Wake up to another day in globetrotting paradise! Why not take part in an early morning yoga session to stretch out those weary muscles and prepare for another day in the saddle? After a sumptuous breakfast, you’ll be reunited with your horse, then Paul will take you cross-country, weaving along narrow bush tracks until you arrive at St Margaret’s Vineyard, one of the many vineyards that flank the Margaret River township. There will be plenty of opportunities to trot and canter along bushland tracks and through the vineyards.

Once you catch your breath, you’ll be treated to a barbecue lunch under a grove of trees in a park-like setting with a local wine tasting. Then it’s another stunning forest ride back to Paul and Fiona’s property for dinner.

Sadly, it’s your final day at this beautiful home away from home. But the adventure ends with a BIG bang, that’s for sure. This morning you’ll set off for the deserted white sandy shores and aquamarine waters of Forrest Beach. No doubt you’ll fulfill a lifelong dream when you find yourself cantering uninhibited on the beach! If you like, you can unsaddle your horse and ride bareback into the calm, turquoise sea, and if you’re super lucky you might even spot dolphins and whales.

For those wishing to depart straight from this beach near Busselton, the ride will wrap up at around 12 to 1pm, and you can head off after that. Alternatively, you can return to the property for a final long table lunch, which will also give you the chance to have a leisurely pack-up.

At around 4pm, you’ll say your fond farewells to the horses and humans who have become firm friends over the last couple of days, and depart for your onward travels.

This shorter 3 day, 3 night itinerary takes in the very best highlights from the longer 5 day trek, and packs them tightly into a long weekend! So if you’re tight on time and budget, we’ve got you covered – THIS is the ride for you.

You can arrive anytime from 5pm this afternoon for a classic Margaret River ‘Wine & Cheese’ welcome. A shared dinner will follow. If you arrive late, you can join in the delights right through to 9pm. Then it’s into the canvas bell tents to get your beauty sleep so you’re ready to swing your leg over the saddle tomorrow for a full day’s ride.

After a continental breakfast and meet and greet session with the horses, you’ll mount up and ride overland to the iconic Berry Farm, which is a highlight for the throngs of tourists who visit Margaret River. You’ll ride through neighbouring properties and conservation parks and gain a wonderful appreciation for the native bush that surrounds Margaret River. You’ll enjoy a lunch break in the Blackwood State Forest before continuing on, wandering through unsullied bushland and cantering along wide sandy tracks.

You’re expected to arrive at the Berry Farm in time for a sumptuous afternoon tea, after which you’ll have some time to peruse the shop and gardens of this iconic tourist hot-spot, before heading back to base in the support vehicle for a shower to wash off the day’s dust.

Drinks and dinner will be enjoyed under the twinkling night sky. If the weather is suitable, there’s also the option of participating in a stargazing session with the crew from the Bunbury Observatory. Your guides will be sure to inform you should this be a possibility this evening.

Once everyone’s bellies are full this morning, you’ll load the horses into the truck and set out for the Boranup Karri Forest. You’re welcome to follow the truck in your own vehicles, or use the included transport options should you wish. This beautiful ride through the tall timbers of the karri forest will take your breath away. Towering karri trees, some well over 60 metres in height, undulate across the valley. With sunlight streaming onto their smooth trunks, this forest is a feast for the senses – wildflowers, orchids and fungi (in season) coat the forest floor, the fresh smell of eucalypt fills your nostrils and the sounds of native birds punctuate the silence. This will be one magical ride, globetrotters. Lunch is packed in your saddle bags today so you can take a break whenever the time seems right!

After this morning’s ride, you have the option of spending some free time exploring the Margaret River sights at your leisure, or heading back to Paul and Fiona’s property for an afternoon of fun and games on horseback, with some polocrosse coaching thrown in for good measure.

Your final dinner (complete with cocktails) will again be enjoyed outside under the stars.

Your long weekend adventure finishes with a BANG, globetrotters – after breakfast you’re heading to the shores of the deserted white-sand Wonnerup Beach, with its turquoise waters. This pristine beach is a good 45-minute drive north, but with hard sand perfect for long stretches of cantering, and tranquil waters equally perfect for swimming with the horses, it’s definitely worth the drive.

For those wishing to depart straight from the beach, you’ll be finished around 12 midday and can head off after that. Alternatively, you can head back to Paul and Fiona’s property for a final long table lunch, which will give you the chance to have a leisurely pack up and say farewell to your new friends and fabulous horse buddies. You’ll then depart at 2pm to head home.

On the winter 3-day departures, you will be accommodated at The Farmhouse at Moonrise Farm, just 8km down the road from your hosts’ property. It offers bunkhouse style accommodation and will be much warmer than tents. There is no single supplement available on this itinerary, so it’s perfect for private groups!
Please note, there is no beach riding during the winter season departures as the beach is not a particularly nice place to be at that time of year (it’s generally covered in seaweed and very windy). Instead, you’ll enjoy another lovely scenic ride through the Margaret River bushland.

5 DAY ITINERARY:
On day 1, you’ll need to arrive at your hosts’ property between 5 and 7pm. (The earlier the better – delicious food and wine awaits!)
The tour finishes at 4pm on the last day, with a final transfer to the township of Margaret River. There is also the option of departing from the beach near Busselton at around 12 noon if you would prefer. If possible, we recommend staying an extra night in the area (at your own expense).

3 DAY ITINERARY:
On day 1, you can arrive at your hosts’ property anytime from 5pm, keeping in mind that drinks, nibbles and a lovely shared dinner are on offer this first evening.
The tour finishes after lunch at 2pm on last day, with a final transfer to the township of Margaret River. There is also the option of departing from the beach near Busselton at around 12 noon if you would prefer.

WINTER 3 DAY ITINERARY:
See 3 day itinerary above, but your arrival location on day 1 is Moonrise Farm and beach riding is not included due to the season.

You will need to organise your own travel to and from the Margaret River region.
The drive from Perth to Margaret River is approximately three hours. Private vehicles can be parked on-site for the duration of the ride.

Various car hire companies and public bus services (South West Coachlines, TransWA) are available from Perth. You can also fly direct from Melbourne to Busselton Airport in Margaret River. For those coming by bus or plane, your hosts can collect you from the township of Margaret River.

Globetrotting is happy to recommend a third-party travel agency that can provide a competitive quote on international flights, travel insurance, car hire and accommodation before and after your ride.

Guests have the opportunity to enjoy a chair massage (neck, shoulders & back) at the end of one of the days of the trek for a rate of $25 for 15mins (prices subject to change). If you think you’d like to opt for a massage, please let Globetrotting know, but last minute bookings are also possible.