Tour B: Australian Hinterland Adventure Trek & Beach Ride Tour

Itinerary - (B) Hinterland Trek & Beach Horse Riding Tour

Horse Riding Trekking Tour to the Hannam Vale Valley and Comboyne Plateau. Week-long (7 days, 6 nights) tour with five days riding and six nights accommodation. This is a Progressive Ride, with first 2 nights stay at Kerewong Lodge and Cabin, followed by 2 overnight stays at different accommodations on trek route, ending the week with the beach ride and 2 last nights accommodation back at Kerewong. 

Due to this being a Trek with overnight stays in other accommodations, the itinerary follows a set order, but is still subject to weather and terrain conditions. 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; 20 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 travelers into the time- and climate zone. 
• Wildlife we may encounter on our rides and on the farm are Wallabies, Pademelons, Bandicoots, 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; 27 km) - Kerewong to Hannam Vale Ride

• Prepared for an Australian horse trekking adventure we leave Kerewong Farm and head south towards the picturesque, lush and green rolling hills of the Hannam Vale Valley.
• Scenic horse riding day with a wonderful destination - the tiny hamlet of Hannam Vale is tucked away in the NSW Hinterland between Taree & Port Macquarie.
• Trails take us through peaceful private property farmland with a crystal clear creek crossing, where we stop to enjoy a short morning tea break. Then continue onto a soft forest trail for fantastic long gallopping and through Eucalyptus (Gum Tree) Plantations to the Hannam Vale Valley, passing the old loggers cottages of Waitui and dairy farms on the way to lunch. 
• Tethering the horses outside the quirky little Hannam Vale General Store (built in 1914) we stop for a late lunch and seriously good coffee in the centre of "town".
• The Hannam Vale General Store has a lovely garden to enjoy refreshments and is a popular haunt of locals. You get a chance to experience the rural Australian lifestlye and friendly country hospitality, before setting out on horse back again for a short easy pace ride and last stretch to the overnight accommodation.
• On this first night of the trek, riders stay in a luxury modern Australian private home situated on a 100 acres farm property in Hannam Vale, enjoying a gourmet evening meal together and a relaxing overnight rest in stylish spacious bedrooms.

Day 4: (5-6 hours riding; 33 km) - Hannam Vale to Comboyne Plateau Ride

• After a hearty cooked country breakfast we saddle the horses and set off for a long day of horse riding through an ever-changing variety of landscapes to the Comboyne Plateau, our destination for the day. 
• A steep climb takes us out of the Hannam Vale Valley and up an escarpment where we stop to take in the breathtaking valley views from Flat Rock Lookout.
• Canter on along the escarpment into beautiful and remote forest until the dense old forest opens up into green pasture fields of the Comboyne Plateau. 
• An afternoon tea stop at a water trough to let the horses have a pick of grass after the long trotting and cantering sections and for riders to take in the stunning views of the escarpment and rocky outcrops.
• Shortly after we arrive at our rider's accommodation at the Roundhouse at Comboyne Hideaway, a unique cabin retreat situated atop the magnificent Comboyne Plateau. 
• Indulge in amazing uninterrupted views to the coastline and relax your muscles in the outdoor hot tub on the verandah while gazing at the stars.
• Enjoy a BBQ dinner and another restful night after a long day of trekking.

Day 5: (4 hours riding; 25 km) - Comboyne to Kerewong Ride 

• Start the day with a ride through the beautiful green rolling and fertile 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.
• Ride on through expansive eucalypt forests to impressive Comboyne Mountain Peak (670 m), which can be seen from Kerewong Lodge and Cabin.
• Magnificent 360-degree view at the top - lookout over the blue green hills of the 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. Riders can already see the Kerewong Lodge and Cabin from a distance.
• 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 to Kerewong Horse Centre at an easy walking pace.

Day 6: (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).
• 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).