Tour A: Country & Coast Kerewong Farm Based Horse Riding Tour

Itinerary - (A) Kerewong Country & Coast Day Rides Tour

Centre-based (Stationary) horse riding program. Week-long (7 days, 6 nights) tour with five days riding and six nights accommodation at Kerewong Lodge and Cabin.

The itinerary below is not a set order as riding days can vary according to circumstances. The tour guide chooses the order of the day rides to give riders the best possible experience in their specific riding week. Stated Riding distances and times are approximates only. 

Day 1: Arrival Day

• Riders travel by airplane or bus to Port Macquarie, by train to Kendall or by car directly to Kerewong.
• Pick-up transfer to Kerewong from Port Macquarie Airport or Bus Station (1 hour drive) or Kendall Train Station (20 minutes drive). Please refer to tour details for the fixed pick-up times.
• Arrival at Kerewong Lodge & Horse Riding Farm in the late afternoon or early evening. Meet the Kerewong horse herd in their home pastures. 
• Dinner with your host and co-riders and discussion of the week's riding program.

Day 2: (3 hours riding; 22 km) - Kerewong Forest Horse Ride

• Introductory Forest Ride through the hilly terrain of the Kerewong State Forest with tall eucalypt forests, pockets of rainforest, beautiful quiet bush trails and fun canters.
• Stop for lunch under the tall gum trees 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 the time- and climate zone. 
• Wildlife we may encounter on our rides and on the farm are Wallabies, Pademelons, Bandikoots, Reptiles, Goanna’s and many Australian bird species including Parrots, Lyrebirds, Black Cockatoo’s. Occasionally we may even see a koala too!

Day 3: (5 hours riding; 30 km) - Mountain Top Horse Ride

• Ride to impressive Comboyne Mountain (670 m), which peak can be seen from Kerewong Lodge and Cabin.
• 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 uphill cantering, long steep up- and downhill sections and some rough terrain.
• Horses and riders enjoy a well-deserved lunch break at the peak, brought to you by a Kerewong helper in the 4wd support vehicle. 
• Descending back home at an easy walking pace.

Day 4: (5 hours riding; 35 km) - Winery Horse Ride

• Long horse riding day to local Bago Vineyards and Maze, a small family-owned and operated winery located in the Hastings Valley of NSW, near Port Macquarie.
• Beautiful scenic creek crossings (platypus live here but are rarely seen) and maybe move some cattle while riding through neighbouring farm properties.
• Follow Longworth's Tramway Heritage Trail and see the remnants of a historic timber railway line that was operational in the 1920's for timber log transport.
• Saddle bag sandwich lunch while sitting in the shade of tall eucalypt trees. 
• Adventurous steep descent and fantastic long gallops of up to 4 km's on beautiful forest trails.
• On arrival taste the wine of this unique little winery and enjoy a gourmet local cheese plate under the pergola while looking over the vineyards, the maze and the horses resting and eating under the majestic camphor laurel trees and native Australian orchids.
• Highlight in October - November are the purple blossoming Jacaranda Trees.
• Riders can taste and drink as much as they like because transfer back to riding centre is by car & horse transport (45 minutes drive).

Day 5: (2 hours riding; 15 km) - Beach Horse Ride

• 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 a chance of a close encounter with kangaroos.
• Lunch during a break on the beach, at the ride base near a colony of the unique native Australian Grasstrees, or Aussie Fish & Chips at the local Fish Co-op.
• Transfers each way to the beach is by car & horse transport (45 minutes each way).

Day 6: (5-6 hours riding; 40 km) - Comboyne Plateau Horse Ride

• Forest and Farmland circular 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 and the ride takes us past dairy farms and avocado orchards.
• Panoramic view to the landmark of the Three Brother Mountains, an Australian Aboriginal Place of spiritual significance to the local Biripi Aboriginal people, and on clear days the view goes all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
• Morning coffee stop and grazing for the horses on arrival at the Comboyne Plateau and a second stop for a late picnic lunch during this long day of horse riding.
• Many great galloping sections in the morning and afternoon, as well as long walks to take in the beautiful scenery.
• In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner.

Day 7: Departure Day

• Depart Kerewong after breakfast.
• Transfer to Kendall Railway station or Port Macquarie airport or busstation. Please refer to tour details for the fixed departure drop off times.
• Optional stop at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital (only included with departure transfer to Port Macquarie).