Victoria High Country

Introduction
Victoria Australia

It’s an ancient landscape, some 400 million years old, with lines of pink granite boulders trickling out of the imposing Mt. Ned and grassy ridge lines sprinkled with snowy white gums. Indigenous history says that the Bundarrah Valley was a woman’s place, although white man history was predominantly of cattlemen. Gold was never found in this valley, but a short ride away, over a ridge line that takes you along the Mitta Mitta river, plenty of the precious metal was once found . Omeo is the closest town, infamous for it's chequered history of lawlessness due to it's isolated location. Gold miners and their followers came in search of fortune and cattlemen looked for greener pastures. The riding country is varied as we ride up onto the Bogong High Plains which were once dotted with the brown and white Herefords, and at one stage sheep. The Bogong High Plains at about 4,800 ft elevation are large expanses of alpine grasses and heaths dotted with color during the wildflower season. On a clear day you can see forever, across the plains to the mountains. With wonderful views of Mount Feathertop and Mount Bogong you will see Fainters and Niggerheads and further into the distance, the ridge lines of the NSW Alps . In winter it’s covered by metres of snow though heavy snowfalls do fall unexpectedly in summer months. And that sure makes a riding trip interesting!

Accomodation

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.

Riding

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.

Itinerary

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

Rates and Dates for Victoria High Country

Dates Note: Other dates are available on request (in off season rides would be from the farm and not into the park)

Other Info
Meeting: Anglers Rest
Airport: Melbourne, Albury
Transfer: Omeo bus or train station

Climate:

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.