Horseback Riding and Equestrian Vacations

Australia Pub Crawl

Although this ride is called a Pub Crawl on Horseback, many of the people who join us are social or non-drinkers, who wish to experience the joys of riding a horse through the magnificent New England High ranges combined with the warm, comfortable atmosphere and friendly characters of the country pubs. A  vehicle will take your luggage from pub to pub. Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian or have special dietary needs. Our Homestead is not licensed, so please Bring your own ALCOHOL.

HORSES AND TACK: 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.

EXPERIENCE: Whilst riders should have some experience, the non-rider will usually cope provided he/she has a reasonable level of fitness and an adventurous outlook. Our Pub Crawl treks cover an average of 35-40 kms per day which is travelled at a walk, trot and canter over all types of terrain. WE RECOMMEND THAT NOVICES TALLY-UP SOME HOURS TRAIL RIDING BEFORE JOINING US.  Families with children are welcome, provided the children are over 12 years old and have some experience, i.e. own horse, trail riding, Pony club etc. They need to be capable of handling a horse over long distances (approx. 5-6 hours each day) with a mature attitude. Safety at all times is paramount with each pace being called to enable riders to be ready

WHAT TO BRING: Suitable riding boots or shoes with a heel & no tread, joggers for bushwalking on the rest day, full-length oilskin coat (we hire them), broad brimmed hat with a chinstrap, hard hats are at your own discretion, riding clothes (jeans or jodhpurs) and casual clothes for
evenings. The weather can be unpredictable so bring a sweatshirt or fleece pullover for summer as well as winter rides. Personal toiletries, sunscreen.  We recommend padded bike pants.   Panty hose are often worn to prevent soreness and chaffing (by men too!). Moleskin is wonderful for padding blisters. We recommend it go on all rides. For campout rides: Sleeping bag, towel, flashlight, swimming gear and fishing gear if desired. Please keep belongings to one bag per person of an overnight type, e.g. holdalls, duffel bag etc. - compact and easy to stow. Hard hats are available at the Homestead (optional for persons over 18 years of age) - no charge for use.

Transport: Coaches have overnight services from Sydney and Brisbane. State Rail has a service from Sydney. Impulse Airlines have flights from Sydney to Glen Innes Airport daily (cheaper for advance purchases). Impulse Airlines can be contacted on Phone: 131381 or (02) 93175400. For international guests a booking can be made through Galileo, Sabre, Amadeus and Abacus reservations systems. Please let us know your arrival details in advance. Transfer to and from Glen Innes during reasonable hours is included in cost of ride.

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

We have on the Tablelands, what is described as an air-conditioned summer. December, January, February the days are warm to hot (approx. 25-30 degrees C or 78-88 degrees F) . The air is dry with temperatures dropping sufficiently at night to allow a good night's sleep.


COST OF RIDE INCLUDES: Accommodation, meals, horse-riding, tack, guides, luggage transfer by vehicle to pubs, transfers to and from Glen Innes during reasonable hours. Complimentary wine with meals at homestead.
We are including everything EXCEPT drinks at pubs.

HOW AND WHEN TO PAY
Deposit of $300 USD to Eastern Trekking as soon as possible.  Ride must be paid for 60 days before ride commences.  Deposits are transferable to another date within twelve months but are not refundable. 

The Rides

BUSHRANGER RIDE - 5 days/5 nights Day 1: Your riding adventure starts at Steve & Alison’s homestead, Bullock Mountain. You arrive at noon the day the trek starts where you are introduced to your horse whether it be "Bourbon", "Sambucca", "Malibu" or "Hangover" and are given a preliminary trail ride. A welcoming dinner party is held that night. Day 2: The Pub Crawl departs next morning after breakfast, on the first leg of its journey across country to the town of Deepwater where the first night is spent. All riding days involve 5-6 hours in the saddle.

Day 3: The ride continues on to the sleepy village of Torrington where the famous Bushranger "Thunderbolt" used to hideout to avoid capture by Police Troopers. Day 4: The ride works its way back through Emmaville, which goes back in history to the earliest mining settlements, where the Pub you stay at was a stopover inn for Cobb & Co stage coaches. Day 5: The final day’s ride takes you through some rugged and spectacular country, arriving back at the Homestead where a well earned Aussie dinner awaits you. Day 6: Guests depart after breakfast In each 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 colourful heritage, areas that are still little known to tourists. EASTER "FALLS GORGE RIDE" 3 DAYS COMMENCING 18 APRIL 2003 FILLING FAST - PRICE AU$695.00 PER PERSON BOOK NOW

ITINERARY 2003 - PRICES SUBECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE     

                 All Prices in Australian Dollars.  See our Currency Converter.                                              

FALLS GORGE RIDE (3 DAYS) - $695.00 PER PERSON

January 24-27, April 18-21, (Easter) June 6-9, October 3-6

BUSHRANGER RIDE (5 DAYS) - $1285.00 PER PERSON

March 23-28, April 7-13 (Murder Mystery) Extra Day free Rest Day 4., May 11-16, June 22-27, July 13-19

(Christmas in July), Extra Day free Rest day 4, September 21-26, October 19-24, (Trivia) November 9-14,

December 29-January 4 (New Year's Eve Ride), Extra Free day New Year's Day.

PLEASE NOTE UNLESS OTHERWISE ARRANGED:
3 Day rides - guests depart after breakfast on the 4th morning.
5 Day rides - guests depart after breakfast on the 6th morning.
6 Day rides - Day 4 is a FREE rest day. Guests depart after breakfast on 7th morning.
 

The price includes (tax), accommodation, meals, horse-riding, tack, guides, helmets, luggage transfer by vehicle to pubs, transfers to and from Glen Innes during reasonable hours during the day.   Complimentary wine with dinner at Homestead. NOT INCLUDED: drinks at pubs, Homestead is BYO.

Special Theme Rides Now Included are theme rides throughout the year and include an extra day in the middle of the ride: Murder Mystery Ride:  Participate by being a character in this game.  Solve the murder or perhaps be the victim or murderer. Xmas in July : Xmas Dinner with all the trimmings with decorations and small presents. New Year's Eve Ride:  Party on at Torrington with a live band and guess what, a rest day on New Year's Day.

Please note that a Pub Crawl on Horseback can be tailored to suit a group on other dates depending on size and availability of accommodation at pubs.

FALLS GORGE RIDE 3 days/3 nights/4th morning

Days 1 and 2 are the same as the above "Bushranger Ride"

Day 3: Ride back to the Homestead via a different route arriving mid-afternoon. Enjoy a farewell dinner and a good night’s rest.

Day 4: Guests depart after breakfast.

RIDE THE DIVIDE 10 days/9 nights

"Ride the Divide" is for Experienced Riders Only.

An exciting, different horse, trek, generally in the middle of August. A ride that sometimes combines pub stays and comfy camps or fully campout covering some of the most beautiful rugged and spectacular country in Australia, usually traversing tablelands, mountain ranges, river gorges and rainforest. The cost of this ride includes all meals, accommodation, horses and equipment, guides, back-up crew, oilskin coats, transfers to and from Glen Innes to Bullock Mountain Homestead and camping gear, except your own sleeping bag or swag. BYO alcohol supplies however wine provided free with dinner on campout nights.

CONTACT US

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Eastern Trekking Associates

http://www.horsevacations.com
Shelly and Albert Morris
PO Box 357
Thomson, Georgia 30824
phone Outside Georgia 1-888-836-6152
In Georgia: 1-706-541-2450
Email: rides@horsevacations.com

Web site copyright Eastern Trekking Associates.