Our ranch is located in the
beautiful Lorne Valley near the small rural township of Kendall
in the Camden Haven hinterland region of the Mid North Coast of
New South Wales Australia.
This hinterland area of the Australian New South Wales East
Coast is renowned for its beautiful scenery and pleasant climate
and offers the ideal horse riding experience through varied
terrains : quiet little bush trails, mountain 4WD tracks, pockets
of rainforest, creeks and rivers, green rolling dairy farmland
of the Comboyne Plateau and fantastic beach horseback riding.
Over five days we ride across the beautiful
and diverse landscape of Australia's New South Wales Mid North Coast.
We selected routes that give a good variety of scenery and landscape.
There will be many opportunities to see wildlife in their natural habitat
both during rides and on the horse farm.
Two different itineraries are possible for this ride :
- Country and Coast ride, a centre-based ride around the main Lodge,
- Valley Views, Plateau and Beach, an itinerant ride to the Comboyne Plateau.
In 2012, the first rider booked on the ride can choose the itinerary !
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ITINERARY
All along these rides, we follow quiet little horse
trails, 4WD Tracks, Fire Trails and Forestry Roads. We go throughout
the State Forest including Eucalypt forests, pockets of rainforests,
waterfalls, creek crossings, historic timber railway line, special rocks
and trees. We also climb up and descend along steep ridges and pass through
rolling farmlands.
We visit a local winery, cafes and a Macadamia Farm to taste the unique products
from this region and ride along the Pacific Ocean for kilometres of long deserted
beaches.
We climb up to the picturesque Comboyne Plateau, an elevated farming region of
green rolling hills, to take in the breathtaking views to the Pacific Ocean.
Itinerary Country and Coast :
Day 1 : Port Macquarie or Kendall
Arrival in the afternoon. Transfer from Port Macquarie Airport (at 5 pm) or Kendall
Railway Station (at 6 pm).
Dinner with your hosts and co-riders and discussing the week program.
Night at the lodge.
Day 2
Ride through the hilly terrain of the Kerewong State Forest with eucalypt forests
and rainforests.
Stop at a creek side picnic ground in the middle of the forest for lunch with
the opportunity to swim in a rockpool swimming hole.
Day 3
Ride to impressive Comboyne Mountain (670 m), which peak can be seen from the
riding centre. Magnificent 360 degree view at the top. Horses and riders enjoy
a well deserved lunch break at the peak, before descending back home.
Day 4
Long day ride, starting along a historic timber railway line, to local Bago Winery.
Creek crossings with many opportunities to watch wildlife (eg Kangaroos, Wallabies,
Black Cockatoo's, Goanna's).
On arrival taste the local produce while looking over the vineyards. Transfer
back to riding centre.
Day 5
Fantastic beach horse riding along the Pacific Ocean. Watch out for dolphins
in the waves and a close encounter with kangaroos . Lunch in the dunes or at
a local café. Transfer by horse float.
Day 6
Farmland horse ride to the beautiful green rolling and fertile farmland of the
Comboyne Plateau. On clear days views to the Pacific Ocean. In the evening farewell
dinner with authentic Aussie Barbecue.
Day 7 : Kendall or Port Macquarie
Departure after breakfast. Transfer to Kendall Railway station or Port Macquarie.
Itinerary Valley Views, Plateau and Beach :
Day 1:
Arrival at the farm in the late afternoon. Transfer from Port Macquarie Airport or Kendall Railway Station. Dinner with your hosts and co-riders and discussing the week program.
Day 2:
Introductory Ride through the hilly terrain of the Kerewong State Forest with eucalypt forests and rainforests. Stop at creek side picnic ground in the middle of the forest for lunch with the opportunity to swim in a rockpool swimming hole. Overnight at the Lodge.
Day 3:
Ride to the adjoining Hannam Vale Valley. Stop for lunch at Waitui Waterfalls and continue through Eucalypt plantations to your accommodation for the night, a small working alpaca farm and eco friendly but luxury B&B farmstay.
Day 4:
After a hearty cooked country breakfast we ride to the Comboyne Plateau. On the way, we stop to take in the valley views from Flat Rock Lookout. Your accommodation is a unique retreat situated atop the magnificent Comboyne Plateau where you can indulge in amazing uninterrupted views to the coastline and relax your muscles in the outdoor hot tub on the veranda deck.
Day 5:
Farmland and forest horse ride returning to the riding centre and the Lodge, starting with the beautiful green rolling and fertile farmland of the Comboyne Plateau with views to the Pacific Ocean and continuing through expanding eucalypt forests.
Day 6:
We conclude the week with our fantastic beach horse riding along the Pacific Ocean. Watch out for dolphins in the waves and a close encounter with kangaroos! Lunch in the dunes or at a local café. Transfer by horse float. In the evening, we enjoy a farewell Aussie Barbecue dinner.
Day 7:
Departure after breakfast. Transfer to Kendall Railway Station or Port Macquarie.
Important
All our programmes above are indicative. They can be modified or rearranged
for Forestry activities, technical, safety and weather reasons. In this
case, only the people in charge of the supervision are able to take the
decisions that are necessary.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP
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Extension to Sydney or Brisbane 3d/2n
Many places are to be visited in Sydney. The Opera House (which symbolizes the city with its sail-shaped roof), the Harbour Bridge (the largest bridge in the world), Shark Island (relaxing place, ideal surfing spot), AMP Tower (the highest building in Sydney, where you can discover more about the city and its history), Darling Harbour (touristic area).
If you stay in Brisbane, you should visit Kumbartcho Sanctuary, the Lone Pine Koala, the City Hall, the Royal Botanical Garden, the Alma Park Zoo, the Brisbane Planetarium and many interesting museums (Museum of Brisbane, QUT Art Museum, Queensland Museum...).
Rate including:
- 2 nights B&B in a 3* hotel in double room,
- Transfers to and from the airport
Rate not including:
- Lunches and dinners,
- Optional activities,
- Personal expenses,
- Insurances.
Consult our rates.
Other possible extensions:
Your trail ride can be a part of a longer trip in Australia to discover the different attractive points of this huge country! Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, Cairns or Townsville (Coral Reef), Darwin...
Please contact us for any enquiry! |

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
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Horses
Our guide has 10 well schooled,
Australian pure and part bred Arabian horses, including Arab-Quarterhorse
crosses, carefully selected and trained for long distance trail riding.
Many of the horses were bred specifically for endurance riding and complete
endurance rides regularly.
The Arabian horses' agility, great stamina, adaptabilty to the Australian
climate conditions and excellent people-friendly temperament,
make them ideal horses for multi-day long distance trail riding through
challenging terrain.
The horses are trained to be ridden on a loose rein in Western style
but some are used to English style riding also.
Tack
We ride with English
Style lightweight endurance or all purpose saddles and use snaffle or
bitless bridles.
Required Riding Level
This ride is for experienced or intermediate riders and more advanced
horse riders only.
Horse riders should be reasonably fit, capable of mounting and dismounting
unassisted, have a firm seat and be confident and capable to control
a forward going fit horse at all paces in varied open country. Leading
the horse on foot over short distances may be required
on occasion.
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Useful Information:
Minimum age : 18 years old
Weight maxi : 80 kg (or 85 kg on request for advanced rider)
Horse and rider safety are a consideration at all times and the wearing
of safety helmets (provided) and suitable riding boots/shoes (heeled)
are compulsory for all riders at all times.
Prior to riding out a short
warming up and training session will be held in an enclosed arena to
familiarise riders to their horses.
Non-riding partners are welcome to travel in our 4wd vehicle to meet
riders for lunch on day rides or to stay and enjoy the facilities and
hospitality provided at our house on extended horse trekking tours.

YOUR GUIDES
Guide:
This ride is operated
by Kathy & her equestrian farm & riding team.
Wanting
a change in lifestyle, Kathy migrated to Australia from The Netherlands
in 2000 with the plan to start a horse riding holiday establishment.
She has opened her business on January 2004.
She
has a diverse equestrian background and knows perfectly the area. She will make
her best, as all her team, to show you the diversity of the Australian
countryside.
Also, riders are well looked after when they are not on the horses!
Logistics:
A 4 wheel drive vehicle will bring our picnic lunch almost every day of the ride. Some days, we will have to bring the picnic lunch with us in our saddlebags (provided by the farm).
ACCOMMODATION

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Accomodation
Guests stay at the riding centre: 60 acres farm property.
2 types of guest accommodation are available.
There is 1 studio-style cabin in private surroundings with view over the valley
and forest, with veranda, shower/toilet, air-conditioning, fridge, coffee and
tea facilities, ideal for a couple or 2 singles traveling together.
The main house or lodge in modern Australian style has
1 single bedroom with ensuite (toilet shower) and 1 double/twin room with ensuite
bathroom (toilet/shower). Both rooms have ceiling fans.
The Lodge also has a large communal entertainment area for guests, to sit
together and have meals and drinks in a family atmosphere. There is a wide
veranda to relax after a day riding and enjoy the magnificent view of the garden
with native plants and trees, the large horse paddocks and valley.
After the
riding day, you can use the swimming pool.
For the itinerary "Valley Views, Plateau and Beach", two nights are spent in different places, in a rural environment but as comfortable as the main Lodge.
Meals
All meals included (except 1 lunch at local café), saddlebag
lunch or lunch brought by 4WD vehicle.
Dinner consists of international and Australian specialties, summer barbecues,
wine included with dinner. |

DATES AND RATES
| Australia
- 2012 |
| January 01 to 07 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| January 15 to 21 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| January 29 to February 04 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| February 12 to 18 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| February 26 to 03 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| March 11 to 17 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| April 15 to 21 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| April 29 to May 05 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| May 13 to 19 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| May 27 to June 02 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| June 10 to 16 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| July 01 to 07 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| July 15 to 22 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| July 29 to August 04 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| August 12 to 18 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| August 26 to September 01 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| September 09 to 15 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| September 23 to 30 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| October 07 to 13 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| October 21 to 27 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| November 04 to 10 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| November 18 to 24 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| December 02 to 08 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
| December 16 to 22 |
1390 € or 1650 € depending on the itinerary |
available |
Itinerary "Country and Coast" : 1390€
Itinerary "Valley views, Plateau and Beach" : 1650€
In 2012, the first rider chooses the itinerary for the chosen date.
Single room possible without supplement (upon request and to be booked at reservation time).
Non-riding traveller : 830 €
You can also combine this trail ride in Australia with our trail ride in New Zealand !
Dates and rates : please consult us.
RATE INCLUDING
- the trail ride as describe on full board basis (except one lunch at
local café),
- transfers from and to Port Macquarie or Kendall train station,
- all drinks (except alcohol),
- wine at dinner,
- the financial guarantee of funds deposited in Randocheval
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- Flight to/from Port Macquarie, please consult us.
- one lunch at local café,
- personnal expenses,
- alcoholic drinks (except wine at dinner),
- tips,
- optional insurance : more information.
OPTION :
| Sydney 3 days / 2 nights - 2011 / 2012 |
| Per person, double room |
250 € |
| Per person, single room |
440 € |
| Brisbane 3 days / 2 nights - 2011 / 2012 |
| Per person, double room |
235 € |
| Per person, single room |
415 € |
BOOKING - INFORMATION
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PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
Australia
LENGTH
7 days / 6 nights - 5 days on horseback
LANGUAGE
English, German, Dutch
GROUP SIZE
From 1 to 4
ACCESS
Port Macquarie Airport (transfer to the farm at 5.00pm) or Kendall train
Station (transfer to the farm at 6.00pm). For the return trip, transfers are planned to be at Kendall train station at 10.15am or at Port Macquarie Airport at 12.00pm.
CLIMATE
Subtropical climate.
Good riding
conditions all year long.
Summer in Australia is from December to March and is hot and humid.
The Australian winter (from June to September) has beautiful
warm days with cool nights and excellent riding weather.
It is likely to rain all year long, but especially in Summer.
Formalities
Please check with your local ambassy.
Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations.
We recommend to update the usual vaccination, and especially
tetanus.
Don't forget your repatriation insurance!
REFERENCE :
CH26-australie_en














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