Transfer Option:

Bushranger Ride
Day 1: Arrive at the homestead in the afternoon for dinner and overnight -  where introductions and friendships are begun. Transfers from Armidale airport are available.
Day 2: Your riding adventure starts at 9am after breakfast. You will then be introduced to your horse whether it be "Cognac", "Bell", "Budweiser" or "Casscade" and are given preliminary trail riding instructions. The trek sets out towards the back of the property to circle around to see if you are comfortable with your saddle and mount before setting off into the town of Glen Innes. Lunch is taken in saddle bags. On arrival in Glen Innes, the horses are fed and bedded for the night and you are transported (only 2klms) to your digs, a great heritage listed hotel. Dinner this night is your choice from the menu. (Approx 5 hrs riding)
Day 3: After a hearty breakfast, the ride will take you back to the Homestead crossing creeks, passing through travelling stock routes and open spaces. Accommodation is at the Homestead where we can have a campfire and tell some tall stories. (Approx 5 hours riding)
Day 4: Early to rise, another hearty breakfast and it's off into Emmaville, across open plains and rocky gorge country with lunch on the river at a fishing cottage. Then its on to the pub to meet the characters of the bush. Emmaville goes back in history to an early tin mining settlement and the Pub was a stopover inn for Cobb & Co stage coaches. This time, we have a set menu which usually consists of a roast dinner and dessert. (approx 6.5 hrs riding)
Day 5: Back to the Homestead riding much of the day through a 13,000 acre feedlot where there is plenty of room for trots and canters. A well earned Aussie dinner and comfy bed again awaits you. The campfire again will be stoked up for you to tell stories of the ride. Remember the philosophy of the bush is “ Never let the truth get in the way of a good story”. (Approx 6 hrs riding)
Day 6: Guests depart after breakfast

In both of the pubs you will have met many typical Aussies, graziers, shearers, prospectors, stockmen and many other characters that live the rural Australian life.
The towns you ride to and stay in are a step back into the past to our rich and colorful heritage, areas that are still little known to tourists.
At the discretion of the owners, the route of the 4 day Bushranger Ride may vary depending on weather, numbers and accommodation availability at Pubs.

Falls Gorge Ride
Day 1: Your riding adventure starts at Steve & Alison’s B&B farm near Glen Innes. You arrive at 12 noon for lunch the day the trek starts where introductions and friendships are made. After lunch you will be introduced to your horse whether it be "Tequilla", "Stout", "Hahn" or "Whiskey" and are given a preliminary trail ride. A welcoming dinner party is held that night and accommodation is at the Homestead.
Day 2: This day we work our way into Emmaville, across open plains and rocky gorge country with lunch on the river at a fishing cottage. Then its on to the pub to meet the characters of the bush. Emmaville goes back in history to an early tin mining settlement and the Pub was a stopover inn for Cobb & Co stage coaches.
Day 3: The final day’s ride takes you back through some rugged and spectacular country, arriving back at the Homestead where a well earned Aussie dinner and comfy bed again awaits you. The campfire again will be stoked up for you to tell stories of the ride. Remember the philosophy of the bush is “ Never let the truth get in the way of a good story”.
Day 4: Guests depart after breakfast

In the pub you will have met many typical Aussies, graziers, shearers, prospectors, stockmen and many other characters that live the rural Australian life.
The town you ride to and stay in is a step back into the past to our rich and colorful heritage, areas that are still little known to tourists.
At the discretion of the owners, the route of the 3 day Falls Gorge Ride may vary depending on weather, numbers and accommodation availability at Pub.

The weather will not always run to form so plan on days in the middle of winter (June, July & August) to have crisp mornings with crystal clear cool days (approx. 15 degrees C or 60 F on average) which are absolutely perfect for riding. The colder nights will see you already safely at the pubs with roaring log fires and electric blankets on all beds.

Accommodation varies from pub to pub.  The pubs are over 100 years old but are clean and comfortable with electric blankets in winter.  All the pubs have a roaring log fire in winter.  Shared bathroom facilities - ladies and gents separate, of course.  Double-bed rooms for couples are available but in limited numbers.  Single guests are on twin share or with bunk-house accommodation depending on the numbers.  With smaller groups single rooms can be arranged at some of the pubs.

The Homestead is set on 1200 acres of bush land situated at the end of a gravel road so there is no traffic and is very tranquil.  The boundary boasts 6 kms of river and we also have the use of surrounding properties, totaling approximately 10,000 acres.

Accommodation is country style, clean and comfortable with three double bedrooms for couples and a bunkhouse which accommodates 12 singles.  There is also a 4 single bed room in the house.  Again shared bathroom facilities.  Tea and Coffee is available 24 hours.  Voted as the best part of the house is our 40 foot long 16 foot wide verandah where guests sit and relax after the ride.

Meals:  All breakfasts are fully cooked English style.
Lunch consists of a roll with various fillings, piece of cake, snack bar, fruit and juice. Carried in the saddlebags, we stop along the way sometime by the side of a creek or shady bush setting.  All dinners are 3 courses. 

Complimentary wine with meals at homestead and unlimited tea and coffee.
NOT INCLUDED are alcohol and soft drinks at Pubs and Homestead is BYO for both.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Note: Riding Helmets are mandatory

Our horses on each ride are chosen for their ability over rough and sometimes rocky and mountainous terrain.  Although predominantly Australian Stock Horses, other breeds and crosses will be among Great Aussie Horse Trek’s four-legged friends.  Australian Stock saddles are used with saddle bags for your lunch and water bottles provided to strap to your saddle.  Riders are welcome to bring their own stock saddles provided it fits the horse selected.

Tack:		Australian Stock Saddles
Horses:		Australian Stock Horse, Clydesdale cross, Quarterhorses cross
Pace:		Walking, rising trot and canters. 5-7 hours in the saddle. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2.5 to 4 out of 5)    Low Intermediate+
Age:		Min 14
Weight:		Max 220 lbs
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 10 riders

Note: Riding Helmets are mandatory

Our horses on each ride are chosen for their ability over rough and sometimes rocky and mountainous terrain.  Although predominantly Australian Stock Horses, other breeds and crosses will be among Great Aussie Horse Trek’s four-legged friends.  Australian Stock saddles are used with saddle bags for your lunch and water bottles provided to strap to your saddle.  Riders are welcome to bring their own stock saddles provided it fits the horse selected.

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in chart.

Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) those continuing their journey to a third country (who hold confirmation of booking and documentation to enter country) within eight hours of arriving in Australia.

All other nationals must obtain a transit visa before travel if intending to remain in Australia no longer than 72 hours and a stopover is intended. Transit visas are free of charge.
Note: (a) Not all airports remain open all night; travellers should check with the airline. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the Department of Immigration at the high commission to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
Australian visa regulations (including visa application charges) change from time to time. The information provided here is valid at the time of publication, but visitors should check that this information is still current by visiting the Department of Immigration online (website: www.immi.gov.au) or by calling the Australian Immigration and Citizenship 24-hour Information Service (tel: 0906 550 8900, in the UK; calls cost £1 per minute).

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visas
The ETA is an electronically stored authority for travel to Australia for tourism, short-term business or elective study purposes, that allows multiple entries for stays of up to three months for people from certain countries (see below). The ETA is valid for 12 months from date of issue, or for the life of the passport if it is less than 12 months. An ETA is invisible and therefore will not show up in your passport.

All nationals referred to in the chart are eligible for an ETA except: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia.

There are also student visas, employers' visas for overseas workers and sponsored family visitor visas available; enquire at the Australian high commission.
Types of Visa and Cost
ETAs: Visitor/Short Validity Business: Free of charge. Business Visitor (Long Validity): A$75.

Note: A service fee of A$20 is charged when applying for an ETA online through the DIMIA ETA website. Some travel agents and airlines issuing ETAs also charge a processing fee.

Non-ETAs: Tourist and Business Short-stay visas: A$75.

Visa fees are generally adjusted on 1 July each year.
Validity
Visitor ETAs are valid for 12 months from date of issue (or until the passport expires, whichever comes first) and permit multiple entries into Australia for a stay of up to three months on each visit. Short Validity Business ETAs are valid for 12 months from date of issue (or until the passport expires, whichever comes first) with stays of up to three months on each visit and can be used for single or multiple entry travel. Business Visitor (Long Validity) ETAs are valid for 10 years (or the life of the passport) and permit multiple entries for a stay of up to three months for each visit.

For non-ETA visas, the validity varies according to the type of visa, the purpose of the trip and the validity of the passport. Visas are usually valid from three to 12 months. The validity will be stated on the visa label in your passport.
Applications to:
ETA: Authorised travel agents or airlines; by telephone; some nationals may apply online through the main Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) (website: www.eta.immi.gov.au) (Visitor and Short Validity Business ETAs only).

Non-ETA: Australian embassies, high commissions and consulates; see Contact Addresses.

There is a Tourist Short-Stay visa available online (website: www.eta.immi.gov.au) for all nationals referred to in chart above.
Working Days Required
ETA: When issued through DIMIA’s ETA website, or through travel agents or airline offices, usually processed and valid immediately or within three working days.
Non-ETA: 10-15 working days.