Equestrian tourism in Australia

Equestrian tourism activities in Australia, in the Mary Valley of Noosa, on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland and Kootingal, New South Wales. Enjoy horse riding on your vacation!

A young nation in ancient lands

Australia is home to ethnic groups that have been there for more than 60,000 years, but a third of the population has arrived in the last sixty.

This gives Australian culture an interesting mix of modernity and tradition.

It is one of the least densely populated countries in the world, offering visitors vast unpopulated territories of wild nature.

Horse riding is a way of life in this territory, and they have some of the best horses in the world.

Like the Australian Brumby, a semi-wild horse that roams freely through the harsh areas of the Australian outback, where it survives in extreme conditions.

Although Australian brumbies live freely, they are not purely wild, but are descended from horses imported by Europeans in the 19th century.

Due to the harsh conditions of their natural environment, horse breeding in Australia was based on endurance and strength.

In the 1830s, thoroughbreds were imported to improve the local breeds, and in the mid-20th century the American Quarter Horse was introduced into breeding. The Australian Stock Horse and the Waler Horse come from similar roots.

Without doubt, for horse lovers, Australia is an interesting destination, with various Equestrian Tourism options.

From the wide range of direct providers in this country, we have selected the following Horse Riding Vacation Programs

Equathon Horse Riding Adventures

Owned by a former Olympic champion, it has programs on horseback on the beautiful beaches of Noosa North Shore and in the interior of the Sunshine Coast in Australia.

With years of experience in horse training and riding instruction, they offer top-quality equestrian adventures on the island of Tasmania.

Family establishment where you can share and learn rural tasks, one hour from the city of Kootingal, New South Wales.

North of Brisbane, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, lies the picturesque Mary Valley.

Located in the beautiful bushland and beaches of the Sunshine Coast, they specialize in trails along the coast and through the woodlands of the Noosa Hinterland.

They offer group or private adventure packages for riders of all levels of ability and experience, from one-hour rides to overnight stays at the stables.

If you are looking for something special, you can ask about their private tours with a personalized itinerary, where you will agree on all the details of the route in advance.

Once you arrive, Equathon will choose the right horse for you based on your height, weight and level of riding experience.

Your Riding Lessons

If learning to ride a horse is on your bucket list, Equathon offers personalized private and group lessons for riders of all ages and abilities.

The team provides general riding instruction, suitable for a variety of disciplines with an emphasis on dressage and show jumping.

Their aim is to make you feel confident in the saddle and to provide their students with a solid foundation in horsemanship based on the principles universally accepted and promoted by international equestrian federations.

Their experienced trainers are led by triple Olympic champion Alex Watson and can instruct both beginners and experienced riders.

All lessons take place on the Equathon property in Verrierdale, where they have a specially designed arena and work areas for instruction and horse training.

Riding instruction includes a combination of riding in and out of the arena.

Your hosts

Equathon is owned by triple Olympic champion Alex Watson and his wife Rebecca.

Visitors to their stable and home will be able to benefit from their teachings and knowledge of horses in sport and recreation, thanks to their decades of experience in the field.

The Noosa area, where they are located, has an incredibly beautiful natural environment, with a great diversity of beaches, bushland and trails.

They say that their main objective is to bring people and horses together and create a rewarding relationship between them, and that everyone is welcome here, from elite equestrian athletes to people who are just looking for special vacation experiences with safe horses.

Alex has participated in the Olympic sport as a competitor and organizer, he was the mentor of the Organizing Committee of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

In February 2009 he was appointed a member of the Planning and Management Team for the new Queensland State Equestrian Center that was built in Caboolture, in south-east Queensland.

His horses

Equathon's Australian Stock horses are in excellent physical condition, are carefully trained and are experienced in all the terrains where they offer their equestrian routes, including the Noosa Trail Network, Noosa North Shore and a wide range of other impressive trails along the Sunshine Coast.

You can find more information about them and their particular offering at https://www.equathon.com.

Australian Horse Adventures

With a history rich in European colonization, Tasmania is the smallest state in Australia, but it attracts many tourists because of its nature and heritage.

The island offers very different landscapes, with mountains, green hills and wild rivers, with more than 20% of its area being a World Heritage Site and another 10% a national park or reserve.

Its pleasant climate, with four well-defined seasons, makes it ideal for year-round tourism, and the short distances allow it to be explored almost entirely on horseback.

Run by a couple of experts and horse riding enthusiasts, Australian Horse Adventures offers you the chance to connect with the equestrian experience on a deep level, to experience vacations with horses and not just on horseback.

With generous hospitality and five-star style, the food made with local produce and the wine produced in the region will be a highlight of your trip.

A space with a positive impact

The base of operations, Junction Farm, has 900 hectares of farmland and native forests, more than 10 km of riverbank and 200 hectares of pastureland under a carbon farming initiative to improve soil and animal health.

In addition to its 600 hectares of protected forests, its current project includes the planting of 80,000 new native trees.

The farm's irrigation and energy are 100% solar and the venture collaborates with local and regional landowners, producers and hospitality providers.

Australian Horse Adventures is licensed by Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife to offer unique horse riding trails in national park areas and on the boundaries of world heritage areas.

Their programs

Australian Horse Adventures offers a variety of programs with different routes and durations.

Stanley Adventure Tour

With a choice of 3 or 5 days, it offers a horse riding adventure on the edge of the world, in northwestern Tasmania.

The route runs along the Bass Strait peninsula and, based in Stanley, a historic coastal fishing village, it travels through the charming surrounding landscapes.

From your private oceanfront suite with uninterrupted views of Sawyers Bay to the riding base at the historic Highfield House, you'll meet friendly locals eager to show you their beautiful region.

The experience offers first-class details, from Cape Grim beef, fresh seafood and local produce to riding on a private beach.

Tasmanian Tiger Trail

A trail to discover what makes the island of Tasmania so magical.

On the Tassie Tiger tour, ride through farmland and parks with the people who love and work the land. You can share their stories, take in the views and taste the food that this land produces.

Between the historic villages of Carrick and Hadspen, 15 minutes from Launceston, Junction Farm welcomes you to explore its farm and forest trails, which wind along rivers, through open fields and across a wide variety of terrain.

On this five-day horse riding vacation adventure, you will experience the island's history, culture, industry and wildlife.

A horseback riding vacation that will allow you to build a beautiful and unique relationship with a magnificent creature, the Arabian horse, to take your experience to the next level.

In addition, their offer includes programs such as the Galloping Gourmet Getaway, to tour Carrick and Narawantapu National Park over a weekend, enjoying Tasmania's finest wines and cuisine.

And if you are looking to improve your riding and handling of horses or to learn about livestock handling, they also offer special programs lasting from four to two days.

Horses and their equestrian vision

The horses of Australian Horse Adventures are their most outstanding feature. Of Arabian and crossbred Arabian stock, they are suitable for endurance riding.

All the horses are naturally educated, fit and maintained to the highest standards.

They are trained to be ridden without a bit or a shoe and offer the rider a gentle and responsive animal, for a relaxed and safe experience.

Leconfield - The Original Outback School

Located in Echo Hills, Kootingal, Leconfield offers you the experience of a typical outback ranch.

The area where it is located is part of the Great Dividing Range, Australia's most important mountain range.

As well as enjoying equestrian tourism, here you can learn about the life of a real Australian cowboy.

Leconfield is made up of two schools that specialize in training young men and women to become Cowboys or Cowgirls or, as they are called in Australia, Jackaroos (male) and Jillaroos (female).

Located near Tamworth, the heart and soul of Australian country music. Leconfield has been in the Skerrett family for over four generations.

Brian and Tim's love of horses began at an early age.

Brian believes that horses are an asset to the human race and, like his son, he sees the relationship between rider and horse as very important and based on mutual trust.

What you can learn

At Jackconoo and Jillaroo School (the oldest in Australia) you will learn the skills needed to carry out all the agricultural work on a farm.

You can choose between a 5 or 11 day course.

In addition to participating in this training, during your visit you can also take walks along the surrounding trails.

The options are adaptable to your taste. Receive training in many skills necessary for agricultural work, learn to ride a horse, learn about farm life in Australia, or simply stay in a quiet place, surrounded by nature to rest.

Your 5-day program includes lessons and exercises in natural horsemanship, with practice on the trails surrounding the Farm.

In addition, you will acquire skills in livestock breeding and management, learn how to catch and saddle horses and you will be able to learn the general principles of the most important activities on a ranch.

You will end each night around the campfire, sharing different outdoor meals cooked in a camp oven with the other travelers.

Accommodation at Leconfield, a unique experience

During your week here you will be accommodated on the Leconfield premises, sharing the experience of life on the farm and creating an atmosphere of teamwork.

The whole 'shed', all the bunk beds, the kitchen, the bathroom and even 'The Beast' (cast iron fireplace to warm the interior on cold nights) are made of steel and materials found on the farm.

Drinking water is taken from the sky, hot water is heated by solar panels, and most of their vegetables and herbs come from their organic garden.

Even the hens and ducks provide eggs, which are obviously organic too.

Don't worry if you can't bring a sleeping bag, because they have plenty of blankets and pillows for you.

Three hearty meals a day will be freshly prepared on site and unlimited bread and toppings are available for any cravings you may have between meals, to give you all the energy you'll need to complete your training on the farm.

There are programs for teenagers, couples, groups and families.

Find out more about who they are and what they offer by visiting their website: www.leconfield.com/about-us/

Mary Valley Adventure Trails

This provider offers different types of equestrian activities.

Traditional horseback riding

These are half-day or full-day tours through the rainforest.

The trails take about 3 hours of riding, which can be done in the morning, in the afternoon or by combining both, with a picnic lunch halfway through the tour.

What will your ride be like?

When you arrive at the stables, the staff will help you prepare for the tour.

The first step is to choose your horse, according to your level and experience.

Then they will make the necessary adjustments to the saddle and the harness to make your ride safe and comfortable.

Once you are ready, you will set off along the rainforest trails, reaching the top of the mountain to enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside.

You will spend the morning riding through these green expanses, to descend at lunchtime.

Horse Riding Holidays

These are programs lasting several days, with multiple rides a day through the vast network of available trails.

This format is ideal for foreign visitors and local customers who want to ride throughout their vacation.

You can make as many trips as you like, leaving from their stables, without following the same routes, but returning every day to the same starting point.

This modality is known as Star Equestrian Tourism.

Their groups are small, from 4 to 12 people maximum, which allows their guides to have control of everything and everyone, for the safety of the rider and the horses.

The trails cover a vast territory, allowing you to experience different types of landscapes and terrains of varying difficulty, according to your level and experience as a rider.

You can ride along the trails of the Amamoor, Kandanga and Imbil state forests, always entering from their picturesque property.

Their horses are very well fed, cared for and trained. They provide comfortable saddles, safety helmets and horseshoes suitable for the terrain they cover.

Adventure Trails offers the possibility of adapting all its trips to any group or individual needs of the riders who require its services.

Additional proposal to consider: horse riding lessons

Designed for every level of rider, from beginners to more advanced riders who want to improve their technique on horse riding routes and trails.

Accommodation

You can choose between two options:

Camp on their own property, using your own equipment or the equipment they provide.

Or, if you are looking for a little more comfort, they will recommend several accommodations in the area, so you can choose the one that best suits your preferences.