Country & Coast Horse Riding Tour NSW Australia
Australian All-inclusive Horse Riding Holiday Tour
A week-long Horse Trail Riding Adventure Holiday exclusively for capable and confident riders on forward, fit Arabian and Brumby horses with 5 riding days and 6 nights on-site accommodation.
For over 20 years, horse-riding travellers worldwide have come to Kerewong to experience Australia's NSW Mid North Coast's vast eucalypt forests landscape, idyllic hinterland scenery, pleasant subtropical climate and unique wildlife. Tour highlight for many is the unforgettable view of a Pacific Ocean beach between the ears of a Kerewong horse.
Discover Australia On Horseback
From the farm in the Lorne Valley near Port Macquarie, NSW the rides go into 50,000 acres of hilly State Forest area, following quiet trails and unsealed forestry roads through some of the best nature landscapes of Australia's East Coast.
Each day has a different destination giving a good variety of scenery. Trails lead to breathtaking mountaintop views, vineyards, green rolling farmland, avocado orchards, creek crossings, majestic eucalypt trees and secluded rainforest valleys. The spectacular beaches are a horse rider's dream come true.
At the end of each riding day, horse trekking guests appreciate the comfortable accommodation, home-cooked meals prepared from fresh local produce and the view of horses in large fields right at the doorstep.
Australian Wildlife encountered on rides and on Kerewong Horse Farm NSW include Wallabies, Reptiles, and many Australian bird species including Parrots and Black Cockatoo’s. Occasionally we may be lucky enough to see a koala or echidna!
Coast & Country Riding Holiday Tour Details
Kerewong Based Tour: 7 days, 6 nights with 5 riding days covering approximately 140 km / 20 hours in the saddle; 3 hour introductory ride; 3 days of 4-6 hours rides; 1 day with 2 hour beach ride.
Group Size: Minimum 2 Riders, Maximum 3 Riders (Single riders welcome to join).
Horses: Well-trained, fit, responsive & very forward Arabians and Australian Brumbies.
High Quality Tack: Endurance and English Saddles. Bitless bridles or snaffle bits.
Riding Ability: Strong Intermediate to Advanced adult horse riders (English style) only. The minimum requirement is that riders are capable of riding through challenging and steep terrain, mount / dismount unassisted, have a firm and balanced seat, canter in 2-point position and be confident and in control of a forward horse at all paces in open terrain.
Riding Pace and Rider Fitness: The pace is moderate to fast, but also has long sections of walk in hilly terrain. Horse riders must be reasonably fit, preferably horse ride regularly, and be comfortable in the saddle for at least 4-5 hours. Leading the horse on foot over short distances is sometimes required.
Maximum Rider Weight Limit: 75-80 kg. Height / weight ratio and horse riding level are taken into account.
Horse Farm Accommodation: Fully catered single, double or twin room options in cabin or lodge. See the Accommodation Page for more information.
Expert Tour Guide: Your host Kathy, with a lifetime of horse wisdom & over twenty years of experience guiding horse treks, will be on hand at all times. While this tour is fun and adventurous, horse and rider safety is always the main priority.
How to Book Riding Tour
Please send us a booking enquiry with the dates requested and information about your age, height, weight, current and past horse riding experience, riding level and what type of horses you enjoy riding. We need these details to confirm our riding tours and horses are suitable for you.
We will respond to any questions you may have and send you a detailed information package before confirming your booking with a deposit payment.
Tour Dates 2025:
- 20-26 March - Fully Booked
- 3-9 April - Fully Booked
- 17-23 April (Easter) - Fully Booked
- 4-10 May - Fully Booked
- 19-25 May - Fully Booked
- 5-11 June - Fully Booked
- 30 August- 5 September
- 14-20 September
- 29 September – 5 October
- 12-18 October - Fully Booked
- 26 October -1 November
- 9–15 November
- 27 November - 3 December
Tour Dates 2026:
- 22-28 March
- 2-6 April (Easter 4 days)
- 10-16 April
- 23-29 April
Other dates or custom tours are possible on request for 2-3 riders.
Tour Itinerary Overview
The itinerary is dependent on weather and terrain conditions. Every effort is made so riders have the best possible horse riding holiday experience. Stated riding distances and times are approximates only.
All meals are included, except for one lunch or dinner at a local venue (at own cost).
Breakfast and Dinner will be enjoyed together in the large communal area or on the verandah of the Kerewong Lodge.
Depending on the ride of the day, a Picnic Lunch will be carried in the saddlebags or delivered by 4WD support vehicle.
- Riders travel by air to Port Macquarie, by train to Kendall or by car directly to Kerewong with arrival at Kerewong Horse Farm in the late afternoon or evening.
- Fixed timed pick up transfers to Kerewong Horse Farm are: from Port Macquarie Airport between 16:30 and 17:30 depending on flight arrival times (1 hour transfer by car) or Kendall Train Station at 18:15 (20 minutes transfer by car). Arrival time for guests with own transport is from 15:30 onwards.
- Meet the Kerewong horse herd in their home pastures.
- Dinner with your host and co-riders and discussion of the week's riding program.
- Introductory Forest Ride through the hilly terrain of the Kerewong State Forest with tall eucalyptus forests, pockets of rainforest and quiet bush trails.
- Stop for lunch at a beautiful creekside location in the middle of the Aussie bush.
- This is a shorter ride with an easy-going pace, to enable riders to get accustomed to the terrain and horses and settle International travellers into Australian time and climate zones.
- Ride to impressive Comboyne Mountain (670 m), which peak can be seen from Kerewong Horse Farm.
- Magnificent 360-degree view at the top - lookout over the expanding eucalyptus NSW State Forests landscape, regional farm properties, NSW Mid North Coast coastline, Bago Bluff National Park, Comboyne Plateau and the start of the Great Dividing Range.
- This is the most strenuous day ride for the horses with long steep up and downhill sections and some rough terrain.
- Horses and riders enjoy a well-deserved lunch break at the peak.
- Descending back home at an easy walking pace. Riders will lead the horses on the first section of the descend.
- Long horse riding day along remote forest trails to local Bago Maze and Winery, a small family-owned and operated vineyards and winery located in a stunning valley in the middle of the forest in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region of NSW.
- We have an early start, riding through a beautiful neighbouring property, cross scenic Upsalls Creek (platypus live here but are rarely seen) and a steep climb up to a forest ridge.
- Adventurous remoteness and some of the forest trails offer great opportunities for fantastic long trots and slow or fast canters.
- Saddle bag sandwich lunch while sitting in the shade of tall eucalypt trees.
- It is a special sight to arrive, coming out of the forest after many hours in the saddle and see the vineyards as a green valley opens itself. We may have to move some cattle on the final stretch of the ride.
- On arrival taste the wine of this unique little winery ($10), or reward yourself with a barista coffee, and enjoy a gourmet local cheese platter, while looking over the vineyards, hedge maze and the horses resting and eating hay.
- For those riders with still some energy left, explore the award-winning hedge maze ($12).
- Riders can taste, drink and buy as much as they like because transfer back to the horse farm accomodation is by car & horse transport (45 minutes drive).
- Highlight from late October to early December are the purple blossoming Jacaranda Trees on the extensive winery grounds and a group photo with the horses under the purple trees.
- Fantastic beach horse riding along the Pacific Ocean.
- Long uninterrupted galloping on a deserted beach is an unforgettable lifetime experience for many.
- Watch out for dolphins in the waves and the chance of a close encounter with Eastern Grey Kangaroos.
- Afterwards we have a true Aussie Fish & Chips lunch at the local Fish Co-op, where they serve locally caught fresh fish.
- Transfers to/from the beach is by car & horse transport (40 minutes drive each way).
- Forest and Farmland horse ride to the beautiful green rolling farmland of the Comboyne Plateau. Comboyne is a volcanic plateau with a unique topography and fertile red soil. It is known for dairy farming and in more recent years has become one of Australia's premier avocado producing areas.
- This long day ride takes up into some remote forest areas with breathtaking old eucalyptus trees and lush rainforest. We will have several rest stop opportunities during the day: the picturesque Waitui Waterfalls, at a peaceful creek on private farmland and a lunch stop at a rocky cliff top lookout.
- There is also a shorter route option to Comboyne. The shorter ride (3.5 hours; 23 km) takes us past dairy farms, avocado orchards and panoramic views to the landmark of Dooragan, Mooragan and Booragan, the Three Brother Mountains. These 3 mountains have enduring cultural significance to the local Biripi Aboriginal people. On clear days the view goes all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
- Many great cantering sections as well as long walks to take in the beautiful scenery.
- In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner.
- Depart Kerewong after breakfast
- Transfer to Kendall Train Station or Port Macquarie Airport.
- Fixed transfers times are drop off at Kendall Train station for the 9 am train to Sydney and from 9 am onwards at Port Macquarie airport.
- Optional stop to visit the famous Port Macquarie Koala Hospital (only included with departure transfers to Port Macquarie)
FAQs
To help us assess if your horse riding experience and level are appropriate for the tour and if we have a suitable horse to match with you during your stay, it is helpful if you send us as much information as possible about your horse riding background, how often you currently horse ride, what type of horses you have ridden, what type of horse you enjoy riding and what kind of horse you expect or prefer for your stay at Kerewong.
Every effort is taken to match horse and rider.
The minimum required riding level is good intermediate, meaning the rider has a firm seat, is confident and in control of a forward horse at all paces, including posting trots, 2-point canters and gallops in open terrain.
Yes, wearing an Australian Safety Standard Approved (or International equivalent) Horse Riding helmet is mandatory at all times while riding a horse.
We can give you a riding helmet to use during your stay free of charge.
You can bring and wear your own helmet, if it is under 5 years old from manufacture date and International or Australian Safety Standard approved.
Riders benefit greatly if they are riding-fit, because of the long hours in the saddle, the intensity / technicality of riding in hilly forest terrain and the pace of riding (moderate pace, long active walks but also long fast sections of trot/canter/gallop). Some sections can have challenging, steep and rough terrain conditions.
While it is beneficially to have good general fitness from sports like running, going to the gym, pilates, etc., the only real preparation you can do to get fit for horse riding is: horse riding.
Transfers are included in the Coast & Country Horse Riding Holiday but times are fixed. Other transfer times are on request only and may include an extra fee.
Pick up transfers to Kerewong:
Port Macquarie airport (1 hour drive) - between 16:30 and 17:30 depending on flight and train times meeting the flights arriving from Sydney or Brisbane between 16:00 – 17:30 pm.
Kendall train station (20 minutes drive) - 18:15 pm (meeting train from Sydney). Pick up time for trains from Brisbane on request.
Departure transfers from Kerewong:
Port Macquarie airport - drop off from 9:00, suits flights departing at/after 10:00 (earlier transfers possible on request).
Kendall train station - 9:00 am (for train to Sydney). Drop off time for trains to Brisbane on request.
Yes, non-riding partners, friends or family are welcome to accompany riders and stay at the Kerewong accommodation with Breakfast and Dinner.
We recommend that non-riders have a car so they can explore the region.
No, the Country & Coast Horse Riding Tour is only for guests riding the Kerewong horses.
You can bring your horse to Kerewong for a Horse Stay and explore the trails independently or Kathy is available as a guide for a reasonable fee. If your horses are very fit and used to hilly terrain, it is possible to ride the same trails as the Country & Coast Tour, but you would probably need the guide service.