Horse riding around Sydney, Australia

[Tarragon]

I am visiting relatives and friends in Australia around April next year, and would love to do a proper "outback" trek, think "Man from Snowy River" vibes ;-)
My relatives are based just North of Sydney in McCarrs Creek, so somewhere close(ish) to there but happy to travel/stay if needed. I have found Glenworthy Valley, which looks good, but I don't want to do a two hour hack at a slow walk with a big group of novices, if you know what I mean, and I can't work out what they offer. Ideally, I would love a 3 to 4 hour ride somewhere scenic on good horses and in a small group, even just me and a guide. As this is one of my "bucket list" goals, I am happy to pay a bit more for the privilege.
Any suggestions?
Plus, I would love to visit an equestrian tack/clothes shop to see what it is available - I am always curious to see what happens in other parts of the world!

 

[YourValentine]

I am visiting relatives and friends in Australia around April next year, and would love to do a proper "outback" trek, think "Man from Snowy River" vibes ;-)
My relatives are based just North of Sydney in McCarrs Creek, so somewhere close(ish) to there but happy to travel/stay if needed. I have found Glenworthy Valley, which looks good, but I don't want to do a two hour hack at a slow walk with a big group of novices, if you know what I mean, and I can't work out what they offer. Ideally, I would love a 3 to 4 hour ride somewhere scenic on good horses and in a small group, even just me and a guide. As this is one of my "bucket list" goals, I am happy to pay a bit more for the privilege.
Any suggestions?
Plus, I would love to visit an equestrian tack/clothes shop to see what it is available - I am always curious to see what happens in other parts of the world!

There aren't many places near Sydney that offer decent hacks - so not nose to tail plods.

Glentworth Valley is definitely your closest option, and might be worth an enquiry as they do sometimes do faster rides but maybe only with regulars (never been myself).

Also that bit of central coast is by no means the outback, you will need to go inland more to see more "outback esq" country. The coast is forest and sandstone escarpments. Its quite horsey but no trekking places. You will find Saddlers around Terry Hills, or in the centre of Sydney near the racecourse (Randwick).

Try googling south of Sydney (Bowral / Moss Vale) for trekking, fairly accessible by train from Sydney.
If you're there in winter contact the Sydney hunt about a hirelings (edited from autocorrects "hire lingerie" ) they hunt South of Sydney towards Goulburn.

Or inland just over the Blue Mountains, Little Hartley area, but you'll need a car.

 

[Tarragon]

Thank you YV - plenty to think about here.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Reach out to Palamino - FB link below. They are in Belrose which is a 5min drive from McCarrs Creek where your relo’s are.

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It also backs onto Garigal National Park and the trail riding is stunning. They used to do a 2hr ride for experienced riders, not sure if they still do. Contact them and find out.

If you get stuck, contact me and we will see what we can find for you.

BTW - change some of your money now, AUD$ has just s*** itself against the pound. It will be cheap for you travelling.

Welcome to the city of great coffee and amazing beaches but the rudest drivers you will ever encounter.

 

[Tarragon]

Thank you BA. I will contact Palamino and see what they say, and hint about exchange rate noted!!
I have commissioned someone who makes the most glorious stock saddles (Tom Skinner from Yerrinbool NSW) to make a small saddle bag to go with my saddle to bring back home with me as a momento. I am having such fun planning this!

 

[Tarragon]

I thought I would update this thread. I didn't get my ride in... I think that the combination of Covid, insurance and bush fires between them closed most places that did trail rides.
I did, however, have an equally fun adventure of a different sort.
Towards the end of last year I was admiring some impressive custom made Australian stock saddles on Facebook. Got in touch via Messenger and tentatively asked if I could commission a saddle bag. I get a reply that started with G’day (which made my day!) and after a few discussions and exchange of details the saddle bag was commissioned. Made to fit my saddle, even down to being two-toned.
We discussed posting over to my relatives (rellies!) so I could pick it up from there, but then I found out he was located in a beautiful part of the Southern Highlands, so in the end we hired a car and booked two nights in an Airbnb and drove over and collected it in person!
I saw his workshop and admired all the work there, met his wonderful horses and was shown round his barn and round pen.
The visit included a visit to EQ Saddlery and buying some small Hairy Pony grooming kit as presents for people back home.
I had such a wonderful experience!
If anyone wants an idea for a special treat, I really recommend Tom Skinner of Yerrinbool NSW

 

[ThreeFurs]

Hey, what a beautiful saddle bag! I'm in the Adelaide Hills so South Australia, but if you go again there is a place in the Snowies, Victoria, near the Hydro plant, that do 2-3 day rides, sleeping out in tents, for middling to experienced riders. Friends have recommended this place, and its been a bit of a dream of mine too. As I was brought up on my grandfather's regular reading of the Banjo Paterson poem, the man from Snowy River'. Always makes me cry.
Bogong Horse Adventures pack treks

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