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 here at the homestead with Steve, Alison and Jo. After a home-style fully cooked breakfast you will be introduced to your horse whether it be “Cognac”, Bell”, Budweiser or Beer, to name a few, and asked to help with brushing and saddling. This is certainly the best way to get to know your mount. The first 2 hour trail ride then sets off over Bullock Mountain through the Aussie Bush and circles around back to the Homestead for lunch. After lunch another 2 hour ride heading in a different direction perhaps crossing a creek or along a track through an old sapphire mine. After the horses have been unsaddled and fed (you are more than welcome to help feed, after all they did carry you!) there will be time to sit and relax, go for a walk or help build the evening’s campfire. Dinner again will be at 7pm.
Day 3: The scenario for Day 3 is similar to Day 2 except you will have heaps more confidence on your chosen mount and knowing what the day will hold, will be champing at the bit to get going. Today could be another 2 hour ride up to lunch and 2 hours in the afternoon or we might take a saddle bag lunch with us and stop by the side of a creek or on top of a hill. Whichever way it happens, we will be riding on totally new trails.
Day 4: Today after a hearty breakfast, we will set off into the small township of Glen Innes passing through typical cattle grazing properties and along travelling stock routes. Lunch will be taken along the way and you will be riding for approximately 4 hours so mid-afternoon will see us at the end of today’s journey. After the horses have been bedded for the night, you will be transported (only 2klms) to your digs, a great heritage listed hotel. Dinner tonight is your choice from the menu.
Day 5: Let’s change up and have another fully cooked breakfast to get the motors going and be ready to ride back to the Homestead. There are a couple of great long canter spots today and let’s face it, by this time, your bottom should be well and truly accustomed. We should be home in approximately 3.5 to 4 hrs for lunch and give you another chance to sit and relax, take a bush walk, check out the birdlife or try your hand at fossicking for sapphires (we understand you are on holidays). Sadly, time for a farewell dinner, tell some stories around the campfire and plan another trip with friends you have made on this adventure.
Day 6: Guests depart after breakfast

The route of any of our rides may vary depending on weather, numbers and accommodation availability at the pub.


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.

This list is only a guideline for you

• Travel documents and Voucher
• Flight tickets
• Passport
• Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

• Riding clothes (jeans or jodhpurs)
• Suitable riding boots or shoes with a heel & no tread
• Full-length oilskin coat (we hire them)
• Riding helmet  (recommended for all trips)
• Riding gloves
• Broad brimmed hat with a chinstrap
• Woolen pullover for summer as well as winter rides

PERSONAL CLOTHING

• Joggers for bushwalking
• Jacket or sweater for cool evenings
• Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts
• Jeans
• Shorts
• Underwear and socks
• Pajama
• Bag for dirty clothes
• Light summer jacket
• Warm jacket
• Comfortable shoes/sneakers
• Swimsuit
• Bandana

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

• Personal Toiletries
• Insect protection
• Personal medications
• Sore cream (for the emergency)
• Two crepe bandages in case your calves become chaffed
• Sewing kit
• Handkerchiefs
• Adapter for electric appliances
• Camera and enough extra films
• Belt pack
• Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!)
• Sun glasses with strap
• Sun tan lotion and lip balm

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.

Tack:		Australian Stock Saddles
Horses:		Australian Stock Horse, Clydesdale cross, Quarterhorses cross
Pace:		Walking, rising trot and canters. 4 hours in the saddle. Falls Gorge Ride - higher riding level required - 5 to 6 riding hrs | 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.