The Yarra Valley stretches northeast of Melbourne like the sweep of a paintbrush, full of vibrant colours, fantastic flavours and diverse natural beauty. From pristine bushland to world class wineries, the places you’ll go astride your willing steed will leave your globetrotting heart (and belly!) full to the brim.
Your host, Clancy Lewis, has been guiding horse rides in the Yarra for decades and knows every trail inside-out. He’ll show you all the best-kept secrets of his beloved valley and do his utmost to make this the best minibreak of your life. The combination of spectacular riding trails and immersive off-the-horse experiences makes each day feel more magical than the last. You’ll also be plied with plenty of gourmet food and wine, whether around the campfire, at a fine-dining restaurant or in secluded picnic spots.
Your accommodation in Chum Creek hits all the right notes, with two nights in gorgeous, well-appointed huts {shared bathroom and toilet facilities} at the base of the valley and one night at a rustic mountain hut. Here you can choose to get a taste of ‘swag life’ or cosy up in the hut, but either way, the morning views will take your breath away.
With three full days of riding and a generous helping of food, wine and laughter guaranteed, the Yarra Valley Ride is perhaps the ULTIMATE Aussie Globetrotting mini-break.
Fast Facts
- Horse Breed:Quarter Horse cross, Percheron cross, Standardbred and Clydie cross.
- Pace:The pace is variable, depending on the nature of the terrain. Guests need to ensure they are fit enough to post to the trot for minutes at a time.
- Weight Limit:A maximum of 95kg / 209lbs.
- Type of tack:Australian stock saddles.
- Seasons:All year round, excluding July and August.
- Group size:A minimum of 8 and a maximum of 10 guests.
- Time in Saddle:On average, between 5 to 6 hours a day.
- Riding Ability:Suitable for all abilities.
*If you are a beginner rider, you are expected to be capable of riding your horse at a walk, posting/rising to the trot, and be willing to try cantering. Not sure what your riding experience is? Watch THIS video to find out. - Accommodation:On nights 1 and 3, guests will stay at the well-appointed ‘Chum Creek Huts’ located at the base of your hosts’ beautiful property in the Yarra Valley. Each of these two huts has a fireplace and private deck overlooking the tranquil countryside. Twin share or queen sized bedrooms are available, with shared bathrooms. Please be aware this is twin-share accomodation only. Guests will be sharing a room with another GT’er of the same gender and there are shared bathroom facilities. And for those in a hurry, there are additional shower facilities nearby.
On night 2, guests will have exclusive and private use of the rustic Yarra Valley Mountain Hut that has sweeping views of the Yarra Valley and Great Dividing Range. Set beside this hut are four separate bunkhouses each with two double bed bunk beds with amazing views to wake up to. There are cold running water facilities available at this hut, but no hot showers. A standalone toilet is available.
*There is also the possibility of sleeping under the stars in a double swag (provided) if preferred on night 2. - Ride Length:3 days, 3 nights with 3 riding days.
- Inclusions:
The price includes meals (from lunch on day 1 through to breakfast on the final day), twin share accommodation and riding throughout the itinerary.
- Exclusions:
The price does not include flights, travel insurance (compulsory), alcohol, or transfers to/from the ride location.
DEPARTURE DATES & RATES
NEW! Secure your saddle seat NOW with a 10% deposit - as part of our 10x 10% payment plan!Departing | Finishing | Availability | Total | |||
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May 7, 2021 | May 10, 2021 | SOLD OUT! |
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May 28, 2021 | May 31, 2021 | SOLD OUT! |
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August 13, 2021 | August 16, 2021 | 8 spots left |
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September 17, 2021 | September 20, 2021 | 6 spots left |
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September 27, 2021 | September 30, 2021 | SOLD OUT! |
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October 1, 2021 | October 4, 2021 | SOLD OUT! |
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October 29, 2021 | November 1, 2021 | 7 spots left |
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November 12, 2021 | November 15, 2021 | 4 spots left |
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December 10, 2021 | December 13, 2021 | 3 spots left |
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WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price includes meals (from lunch on day 1 through to breakfast on the final day), twin share accommodation and riding throughout the itinerary.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price does not include flights, travel insurance (compulsory), alcohol, or transfers to/from the ride location.
**There is no single supplement available on this ride, although you are welcome to sleep out under the stars in a swag (which can be provided) should you wish.
Accepted payment is by credit or debit card only. There is a 2% surcharge on all card payments. Click HERE to read our recommendations on which cards are best to use to avoid international transaction fees.
WHY IS THE PRICE QUOTED IN AUD?
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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Transfer Information
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Additional Activities

Zoe McGrath
‘The Yarra Valley Ride is absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The landscape is incredible, the food and wine is amazing and the hosts are just wonderful. I don’t have enough positive words to cover everything! It’s very well catered for all levels of riders and as an advanced rider I never felt bored – there were so many opportunities to canter up amazing hills (and it would be impossible to be bored in that beautiful scenery anyway!). I brought a friend with me who hadn’t ridden for more than 10 years, and on the second day she cantered right past me on a big hill – it was so much fun to watch her rediscover riding and become so confident in such a short time! I loved my horse, Kite, and was extremely impressed with the quality of all of the horses. I would have taken at least two or three of them home with me in my suitcase if I could. Thank you SO much to Clancy and the team!’

Elenora Stepanova
‘The perfect break! Great location, knowledgeable staff and a personal approach. Clancy and Vanessa are the best guides! They are very understanding and accommodating, and their knowledge of horses and the local environment is just amazing. I totally loved our ‘outing’ to the huts. Dinner and wine around the fireplace… simply the best!
The trip was perfectly organised and executed, and excellent value for money. I loved it. I’m planning to bring my daughter on this ride shortly!’

Connor Sonnen
‘I haven’t ridden in years but horses were a huge part of my life for a long time, so I booked this ride as soon as it came up to give me a chance to reconnect with this passion. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Clancy, who did a great job matching everyone up with their horses. I jumped on a big Standardbred called Spunky and we headed to the winery for lunch and a wine tasting. The beautiful scenery, amazing food and the gallop through the grapevines was such an amazing start to the trip.
I honestly felt so comfortable and secure the entire time – Spunky was a great ride, quick and fast when we got to gallop and slow and careful in the tricky parts. The horses were all well taken care of and you could tell that they were loved. I can’t tell you enough about the accommodating nature of Clancy and his family (I am considering his entire staff part of the family)! The food was amazing and they were friendly, kind and so approachable.’

Audrey Tan
‘The Yarra Valley Ride is the perfect length if you’re looking for a short getaway from Melbourne. It was an absolute joy after a long year out of the saddle. I rode BB. He was happy go lucky, affectionate, fit, surefooted and loved a good canter! I felt very safe riding him – he looked after me well. My favourite moment on the trip was definitely galloping on the second day. Not only did I feel secure and comfortable at that speed, I also felt I improved as a rider. That gave me a boost in confidence and trust in my own abilities. Clancy told me I had the biggest grin on my face!
For someone who has very specific dietary requirements, the food was amazing! Fresh, organic and local. I felt very looked after. The huts were fantastic, and the night in the swag was absolutely brilliant. The double swag was massive, and so comfortable and warm. Clancy and his son Patterson set it up perfectly, oriented to overlook the glorious view, moonrise and sunrise.
Thank you to Clancy and his team for a wonderful time.’

Belinda Gelletly
‘This ride was beautiful! The team went above and beyond to make my stay special. Clancy and his staff were so welcoming, supportive, kind, reassuring and positive. I can’t thank them enough for all the hard work they put in. I’m a nervous beginner and Clancy matched me with the perfect horse, Sugar, who really looked after me. She was kind, sound, responsive and beautiful! I highly recommend this ride.’

Bronwyn Fulton
‘Thank you Clancy and Kath for a fantastic long weekend away that felt like a real holiday. It was a great blend of ‘bush experience’ and luxury. Nothing was too much trouble, and the team went the extra mile for us, which we all appreciated. Asking me to highlight the best bits of the trip is tricky, because there were many, but here is a not-so-short list:
– Great horses, very easy on the eye, comfortable to ride and with nice personalities
– Good trails, with some nice canters and trots, through very different landscapes
– Great food, including local produce, as well as a gourmet lunch at De Bortoli and two wine tastings
– Well appointed cabins with great beds and amenities
– In addition to Clancy and his stories, there was Dick, a veteran bushman, whose special recipes we loved and whose tales we enjoyed hearing
– A night up the mountain, with dinner and drinks with like-minded globetrotters by the fire and bedding down in either a swag or the bunkhouse, with an incredible view of the sunrise right from the bed and a cacophony of birdsong in the morning.
I’ll be back!’

Anita Romleigh
‘An absolutely fantastic three days of riding in the Yarra Valley. Couldn’t fault it. The hosts had very good knowledge of the horses and the trails, and good judgement of riders’ abilities and confidence. They were very hospitable, always there if needed but not overdoing it. Lovely family involvement at meal times, too. All the food was delicious and plentiful, with loads of great wine provided and dietary needs catered for. The homemade passionfruit sponge on the final night was perfect. The accommodation was beautiful and very peaceful, with lots of space in the shared areas. Sleeping in the swags up at the hut was lovely – they were very deluxe swags, so perfect for a non-camper like me. The horses were great. Wally was a gorgeous palomino Arab-cross, chilled and speedy – I was very happy with my steed.’

Anne Williams
‘A fabulous experience. New friendships and new memories were made. I will return to do it all again! I rode Snow, who was very gentle, surefooted and trusting, as were all of the horses. I especially loved riding through Toolangi State Forest with its tall trees and ferns. Clancy, Catherine and the staff were fabulous – they couldn’t do enough for you. We felt so welcomed and like part of the family. Clancy and his friend Dick are so knowledgeable about the horses and the area. You could listen to their stories for hours!
The accommodation was fabulous and blended in with the surrounds perfectly. It was clean, cosy, welcoming and homely. The food was amazing, and in abundance. Fresh local produce, a cooked breakfast every morning with yogurt and fresh berries, charcuterie boards each night before dinner, and fabulous BBQs with beautiful salads. I would highly recommend this trip.’
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