Transfer Option:

Ride details
The  rides include itineraries as per below. The itinerary will be subject to change such as reversing the days, depending on rider ability and weather conditions at the time.

DAY 1 Arrive at the Mountain Chalet. Meet your host and riding crew. Settle in with a drink on the deck overlooking the valley where horses graze amongst wild kangaroos. During dinner we’ll chat about the horses and days riding to follow.

RIDE A After a hearty breakfast, pack your gear ready to be taken ahead to camp. Horse selection at the yards then head off. The ride will pass through forests and clear mountain rivers before selecting a scenic spot for lunch. Days end will be a camp alongside Big River and dine under the stars.

RIDE B Today’s ride will head up from the valley floor following a track cut into the side of a mountain about 140yrs ago. Expect to see some superb views as we rise out of the forest onto snow plains. Once above the tree line we’ll be on top of the Bogong High Plains. Camp fire dinner and tent accommodation.

RIDE C A day of riding out across the High Plains where brumbies can be seen. The ride will go to some of the cattleman’s huts, following along small mountain streams taking in the many varied wildflowers and other alpine vegetation. Camping out in tents and a sumptuous camp fire dinner.

RIDE D A long day in the saddle with a ride across the High Plains towards Youngs Tops before heading to McNamaras Hut and the downward track home along McCoys track back to The Willows. Expect to see brumbies running free. Open plains give way to views of distant mountains

RIDE E Riding back to The Willows via Trapyard Gap. There’s much variation in the forests, some easy going open tracks and bush riding before coming out into the open farmland of the Bundarrah Valley. Once home the horses will be given a good wash down before we adjourn to the deck and have a final dinner at the long table.

RIDE F Riding across the Bogong High Plains, descending down into the West Kiewa River then following the Cobungra River downstream before rising up again towards Dinner Plain Village. The night will be spent in one of the lodges with time for a hot shower before dining out at one of the local restaurants.

RIDE G An interesting ride from Dinner Plain back to The Willows. We’ll follow old stock tracks through the bush before crossing the Cobungra River and heading back into the Bundarrah Valley.

LAST DAY After breakfast, time for last photos and packing of bags before heading onwards

Bring clothes suitable for all extremes.  Expect to get dirty, dusty or wet when horse riding!  We recommend the wearing of long sleeved, collared shirts for protection from the sun and bushes and good fitting riding pants and heeled boots.

A limited amount of half riding chaps and boots are available.  Oilskin coats and helmets are supplied.

Accommodations:
First and last nights after camp treks accommodation is in single or double rooms.  Comfortable beds, linen and towels provided.  Shared bathrooms.  In camp, dome tents are supplied, single, twin or double.

Closet power line is 20 km from the farm house.  Power is a battery system run by solar and a mirco hydro system.  NO hairdryers!!  But cameras/phone batteries can be recharged.  No power out in camp.

Meals:
A very important part of the experience!  Lots of fresh, good quality food, camp fire cookings.  Food varies every ride and tries to match the weather. 

Sample menu:
Breakfast: Fresh or freshly stewed fruits, porridge/ dry cereal, bacon, poached eggs, toast and home made jams

Lunch: Thick sandwiches of home made chutney, tasty cheeses, salad greens and ham, fresh fruit and a slab of home made chocolate slice

Dinner: Tasting platters of local cheese, home made dips or perhaps a mug of pumpkin soup, lamb shanks cooked slowly in the camp oven, followed by golden syrup dumplings

Drinks:
Cordials, tea and coffee are freely available and house wine is served with dinner

Medical:
A medical kit is carried on the trail leaders saddle and one is kept in camp

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

The Horses
There’s a selection of all sorts, tried and trusted who’ve been the mainstay of the business and served their various riders well. From Australian stockhorses, Clydesdale crosses, brumby stock, thoroughbred, mountain ponies, Spot the heroic appaloosa, and the boss horse Spook, there’ll be a mount to suit!

Level: Low Intermediate
A mixture of all paces as determined by the terrain.

Tack:		Australian Stock Saddles, English
Horses:		Australian Stock Horses, Quarter mix, Thoroughbred, Clydesdale crosses
Pace:		A mixture of all paces as determined by the terrain. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2.5 to 4 out of 5)    Low Intermediate
Age:		Min 10	Max 70
Weight:		Max 240
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 10 riders

The Horses
There’s a selection of all sorts, tried and trusted who’ve been the mainstay of the business and served their various riders well. From Australian stockhorses, Clydesdale crosses, brumby stock, thoroughbred, mountain ponies, Spot the heroic appaloosa, and the boss horse Spook, there’ll be a mount to suit!

Level: Low Intermediate
A mixture of all paces as determined by the terrain.

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.