When I think of the country I think of wide spaces and horses. Galloping on a horse with the wind whipping in your hair can turn a city slicker into a country girl/guy. Like any other city, it is difficult to charge through the Brisbane streets on a horse (unless you belong to the police force and even then it is only a little trot at special festivities).
However, Brisbane dwellers need not despair. There are many spots within an easy drive of Brisbane where you can go horse riding even if you don't own a horse or have no skills. First timers can even have a go before committing to regular sessions. Even better, go with a group of friends and bond while horsing around.
1)
Slickers Horse Riding
Pic from Slickershorseriding.com
Located 50 minutes away from Brisbane city, enjoy trail rides on 3,500 acres of land. Slickers conduct horse riding lessons in either an enclosed yard for beginners or one of their trails ranging from flat grassy plains to mountains for more experienced riders. You can also stay on their 900 acre cattle farm and enjoy one of their special property rides. If you are itching for a drink, they run pub rides. You will feel as if you have travelled back through time as you and a group ride through the streets from their property on Ocean View Road to the north of Brisbane down the mountainside to "The Crown" at Dayboro for lunch and beer. Trail rides start from $35 for 1.5 hours unescorted. Visit their website a
www.slickershorseriding.com/ or call Darryl on 07 3285 2704 for enquiries.
2)
Tamborine Mountain Trail Rides
Pic from Tambourine Mountain Trail Rides
Located 45 minutes away from Brisbane city, families with younger children or nervous beginners can start off with their half an hour trail ride. Children under 8 will be led on ponies by the staff as you embark on a gentle walk through the bushland to witness the wonder of nature. If you enjoy the feel of riding, you can extend it and go on the one hour or one and a half hour trail ride where you can keep your eye out for a variety of wildlife including koalas, wallabies and kangaroos. Lessons are available as well with a riding instructor who has studied dressage under some world masters in Spain and Portugal. You can contact them on info@horseridingqld.com or phone 07 5543 8008.
3)
Heritage Riding
Pic from heritageriding.com.au
Heritage Riding is located 30 minutes from Brisbane and 45 minutes from the Gold Coast in Thornlands, Redland Shire. Established 20 years ago as an Equestrian Centre and Riding School, you can even ride when the weather has turned in their large indoor arena. You can ride on a small cross-country course over 32 acres with Equestrian Federation of Australia, British Horse Society and FN German trained instructors. If you are a keen rider, they hold competition training for the three disciplines of Dressage, Showjumping and Eventing. You can contact them at heritageriding@msn.com or call them on 07 3206 3951.
