The Twin Coast Adventure in the North Island of New Zealand (think Bay of Islands) is glowing with Globetrotting goodness. Let’s start with the star of the show, Jane Kennedy, one of New Zealand’s top horse clinicians and your host and guide on this ride. Jane is immensely passionate about her patch of paradise and super keen to share it with you.
As for your mounts, you’ll be riding naturally-trained, home-bred horses that are as brave and honest as the day is long. And for the setting, you’ll skip, trot and canter across pristine beaches on both the east and west coasts. You and your horse will slide down butter-yellow sand dunes, trit-trot through native forests of Kauri and splash through the foaming waves. You’ll sneak up on the herds of wild horses that live in the pine forest, a truly thrilling encounter.
Jane is lucky enough to have not one but two properties in this stunning region: her home farm, where you can get to know your horses both in the arena and on a trail ride across the farm, and her beachside property at Henderson Bay. This property is right in the middle of the action, putting you just a hop, skip and a jump from some of New Zealand’s most beautiful stretches of coastline.
You won’t want to leave this pocket of untouched beauty where it’s just you, your horse and the beauty of Mother Nature. Needless to say, this spectacular ride makes our Globetrotting community extremely happy.
Fast Facts
- Horse Breed:A mix of Quarter Horses, Arabian and Tennessee Walking Horse crosses, Clydesdale-Thoroughbred crosses and warmbloods. The horses are forward-moving at all paces and ridden on a loose rein.
- Pace:The pace varies from a walk right through to a canter when the terrain allows, with some long stretches of trotting and cantering along the coast.
- Type of tack:Both English and Western tack is used.
- Time in Saddle:On average, 4 to 6 hours daily.
- Ride Length:5 days, 4 nights, with 4 and a half days of riding and half a day of sightseeing in the Far North of the North Island.
- Seasons:November through to April.
- Group size:A minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 guests.
- Riding Ability:Suitable for intermediate to advanced riders. All riders MUST be confident riding outside an arena at a walk, rising trot and canter. Not sure what your riding ability is? Watch THIS video to find out.
- Weight Limit:A maximum of 95kg / 209lbs *please contact us if you're above this weight for a further assessment. It is VERY important that you provide your current weight accurately when booking. If your weight is not accurate, we cannot guarantee that your hosts will have a horse for you to ride.
- Minimum age:12
- Accommodation:Comfortable twin share cabins with all linen provided and shared shower and toilet facilities.
- Inclusions:
Twin share accommodation, riding, meals, transfers throughout the ride, and transfers to and from Paihia on days 1 and 5.
- Exclusions:
International and regional flights, travel insurance (compulsory), alcohol (BYO is welcome), or airport transfers.
DEPARTURE DATES & RATES
NEW! Secure your saddle seat NOW with a 10% deposit - as part of our 10x 10% interest-free payment plan!WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price includes twin share accommodation, riding, meals, transfers throughout the ride, and transfers to and from Paihia on days 1 and 5.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price does not include international or regional flights, travel insurance (compulsory), alcohol (BYO is welcome), or airport transfers.
Accepted payment is by credit or debit card only. Depending on the ride you choose to book and your country of residence, there will be a 1.2% to 2.9% surcharge.
With our riding destinations, the currency is dictated by our ride partner in that country. Therefore due to fluctuating exchange rates we have to quote in the same currency.
Itinerary
Expand AllCollapse All*Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change at the discretion of your guides due to weather and other influencing factors.

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Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Transfer Information
What our valued Globetrotters say about The Twin Coast Adventure

Anne Y.
‘This was my second Globetrotting holiday, my first being in Glenorchy last year. The scenery in Glenorchy was so stunning that I worried I would be disappointed by this ride. However, I loved this ride for different reasons. The landscape allowed for many extended canters, and swimming in the ocean twice was a magical experience I had never had before. My horse, Paula, was perfect for me; she was so reliable and forward without any fizz, allowing me to have total faith in her and truly enjoy the canters. All the horses were extremely well cared for, fit, and seemed to enjoy their work. The guides took excellent care of us. The ice cream at Cable Bay was also a highlight! I am now looking forward to where my next Globetrotting adventure will be.’

Rita R.
‘I’ve done several international riding trips that have all been fabulous, but this ride was the icing on the cake! All the horses were great and very fit, the people were fun, and Jane was generous with allowing us lovely long canters on the beach and in the forest. Each day brought us something different: lots of history, beautiful flora and fauna, sand dunes, an oasis, wild horses, beaches, forests, gullies and lovely lunch/rest stops. Swimming with the horses in the big surf was a real highlight! It truly was a magical holiday.’

Suzanne C.
‘The Twin Coast ride is absolutely incredible – it was my first Globetrotting experience and I’m so glad I picked it. I’ve ridden for years but recently it’s been hourly lessons a couple times a week, and exclusively Western – though the loose-rein riding style Jane trains her horses to felt surprisingly familiar! I’d taken a few months worth of lessons in English style and with a focus on two-point cantering and posting trot, but hurtling down the beaches in a group of riders was, admittedly, terrifying the first few times. Jane and Gabby and Gil were all incredible at offering tips and arranging the group to minimize any racing and by the time Day 3’s canters rolled around I was having an absolute blast! What a confidence boost! My riding trip wishlist is longer than all my limbs, but if anyone asked me to tag along to do this ride again I would in a heartbeat.’

Louisa S.
‘The Twin Coast Adventure was five days of forward-moving rides covering large distances over stunning and varied terrain: tricky twisty descents (on a horse who responded instantly to my seat alone) into beautiful forest gullies and waterholes, properly long beach canters, uphill gallops to reach spectacular views over the Bay of Islands, and crossing sand dunes in search of herds of wild horses. The guides willingly offer their knowledge about the local areas as well as their horsemanship skills, and are all clever and interesting storytellers. The full days were perfect to allow my busy mind a proper holiday, with both time spent on horseback enjoying nature and that great physical tiredness that means you sleep well each night. I’ve come away with great memories of long fast canters through the water’s edge, surfing down sand dunes both on and off horseback, good food with new friends, and a few horsemanship tips to try at home, but sadly without my smoochy responsive powerhouse of a horse Rocky, as I don’t think Jane would let me keep him.’

Lucy L.
‘Twin Coast Adventure ride was an absolute dream experience! I wasn’t quite sure exactly what to expect, but this whole experience blew all of my expectations out of the water. Each day just kept getting better and better! Having the opportunity to canter down 90 mile beach one minute and then be walking in a beautiful forest with wild horses the next was beyond words. The guides worked hard to create a brilliant atmosphere and itinerary for us, and I am so grateful to each of them for their work. The food was brilliant, cabins were clean and very comfortable, and the company was amazing. The guides also made every effort to teach us about the history and culture of all the places we went, which made it so much more special. Thank you to Jane and her team! This ride was my parents’ present to me after graduating from university, and it has been one of the greatest gifts I ever received.’

GILLIAN YOUNG
‘Even as an experienced rider, I have confidence issues on new horses, and I wasn’t sure how my body would handle long hours in the saddle. This was the perfect ride for me to discover that, yes, I could do it, and I had no reason to be nervous on my lovely horse, Cilla. The ride was just beautiful. Well paced with friendly and fun staff, fantastic food each day and cuddly dogs at the cabin. I just enjoyed myself the entire time. I will recommend this ride to anyone looking to do a long horse trek.’

Sally Lawson
‘Wow, I can’t believe I finally fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine – going on a riding trek holiday! Even though I’ve been caught up with kids and businesses, I finally took the plunge and booked this trip. My husband even learned how to ride just to come with me! I chose this particular trek because it looked challenging, but I knew we’d be in good hands under Jane and her team’s expert guidance. And boy, did it deliver! The terrain was tough but exhilarating, and the scenery was simply breathtaking – we even saw wild horses running through the woodlands! Plus, the group of fellow adventure and horse enthusiasts made us feel right at home. Honestly, this trip was life-changing, and we’re already planning our next globetrotting adventure. It’s amazing to see how much the world has to offer, and we’re grateful to be a part of such a fantastic organization. My husband is now completely horse-obsessed, and we’re kicking ourselves for not doing this sooner. But hey, better late than never, right? We can’t wait to see where our next trips take us!’

Kelsey Ivey
‘The Twin Coast Ride in New Zealand changed everything for me. It was my first horse riding holiday, booked on a whim to be more adventurous, and it awakened a desire in me to see more of the world on horseback. The experience was absolutely perfect. The scenery might as well have been pulled straight from a storybook, with green rolling hills and sunny blue water beaches. My horse, Izzy, was sure-footed and kind and I had full confidence in her to carry me to new parts of the world every day. I even learned how to swim on a horse for the first time! Most of all, I feel like I got a masterclass in horsemanship, thanks to Jane, our guide Gabbie, and the other riders who became friends. Our days were full of magical scenery, wild horses, and blissful long canters, while our nights were full of amazing food and belly laughs with friends around the table. I had the BEST time, and honestly did not want to leave. This trip is perfect for anyone like me who might be travelling solo, adventuring off on their first riding holiday, or who wants a refreshing, fun, gorgeous vacation.’

Charlotte Beresford
‘I absolutely loved the Twin Coast Ride, it surpassed all my high expectations. We were so well looked after and were always made to feel safe, happy, comfortable and well-fed! The scenery and terrain are just breathtaking and so varied. You ride through challenging bush, on gentle farmland, along atmospheric forest tracks, climb up and down glittering sand dunes, wade through deep lakes, then long, exhilarating beach canters and swim bareback in the sea. Just wow. And then, of course, there was my horse, Rocky. I totally fell in love with him. Riding such a big, beautiful, strong, fast, kind, and responsive horse was an incredible privilege. I couldn’t stop crying when I said goodbye to him – the ultimate dream horse. I would recommend this ride to any horse lover. I would return tomorrow if I could!’
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