Australia’s Sunshine Coast Ride

Arrival Day

Guests arrive at either Sunshine Coast or Brisbane Airport on Sunday, and hire a car or use public transport to get to the RACV Resort in Noosa, check in time is 2PM but if arriving earlier, you can feel free to relax by the pool, stroll the grounds, etc.

This is a free/rest day. We have provided suggestions for activities to do in the Noosa/Sunshine Coast area below.

Buffet breakfast is provided by the RACV Resort daily and all guests will be in charge of their own lunch and dinners during their stay.

You will be collected from the RACV resort at approximately 3pm and be taken to the farm for an introduction to the ride and to meet fellow travelers, the team of guides and horses - all while enjoying a sunset drink and some nibbles before being dropped back to the RACV.

This is the time when your guide is best able to be sure they have allocated appropriate horses to guests, and answer any questions!

Day 2:

Rise early for a fully cooked buffet breakfast (included) to fuel you for a great day of riding! You will be picked up at the reception at the resort, at 9AM for your first ride in this gorgeous area - and it's a great one! This is a beach ride day!!!!! Miles and miles of unspoilt coastline, with squeaky white sand.

After arriving to the meeting point with the horses, guests can help tack up their own horses, with assistance from our guides and the ride will head out at 10:30AM and be about 3 hours total saddle time.

This is truly a unique experience. Have a canter along the beach, then head into the paper bark tree forest, looking out for the big boomer kangaroo, he's a local there, along with wallabies and giant goanna. So keep your eyes peeled! It is also full of birds singing happily, especially the kookaburras.

At lunchtime you'll head over to Zachary's, and hopefully you're hungry as the meals are yummy - there is something for everyone!

At approximately 4PM you will be transported back to your resort for your own fun exploration of Noosa night-life, your guides always have great suggestions of super fun places to check out.

Day 3:

Another early day - be sure to enjoy the nice (and big) breakfast again (included). After which an 8AM pick up from reception will be waiting for you.

You'll be taken to the James McKane Lookout in the township of Cooran (approximately a 40 minute drive from the RACV Resort), where guides will have the truck parked and will be preparing horses for the ride, while guests enjoy the magnificent view and have a light refreshment (tea/coffee/juice/water, and a snack). There are hitching rails, water troughs and ample seating at the lookout - it's a super way to see all of the local area.

This is quite a challenging ride as some areas are rather steep, you will cross running creeks, through rainforest areas and huge wide open spaces, meeting some local cattle on the way. Today's ride is a big ride 30km), so all riders need to be fit and healthy and a capable rider. Best suited for strong intermediate and advanced riders. Along the way, you'll go through sections of rainforest, across bridges, creek crossings, dirt roads through rolling hills, cow paddocks etc. via the Noosa Trail Network. There are 2-3 places to stop along the way, where you can dismount, hitch your horse and relax in the shade.

As this is the longest ride, we will have another vehicle bring snacks (sandwiches from a local café) to meet us halfway along the ride.

Around 12:30/1PM we will return to James McKane lookout, untack the horses and you'll be taken to the Apollonian Hotel in Boreen Point for a late lunch/drink. Meanwhile a few of our guides
will take the horses back to the farm where they will be hosed down and enjoy their own lunch! The Apollonian Hotel serves lunch until 2.30PM so sometime around 3PM you'll be taken back to the RACV Resort in Noosa.

There are plenty of restaurants in the area, or there is a restaurant at the RACV for your independent dinner tonight.

Day 4:

Today is a rest day for horses and riders - but if you prefer to go exploring - you may want to join one of the winery tours or head into town to stroll around. Alternatively, you can ask at the concierge about a tour of Fraser Island - well worth the time as it's a full island made of sand - truly unique and a world heritage site!

There are unlimited things to do, at certain times of the year there are whale watching tours and even snorkeling with the whales, or snorkeling with turtles. Additionally, there are beautiful little towns to discover nearby - each quite unique and charming! Another great option for the shoppers out there - the Eumundi Markets (https://eumundimarkets.com.au/) are fun and quirky and make a great afternoon destination.

There are also stunning bush walks with swimming holes. Whatever you choose for today, we guarantee you will not be bored.

Day 5:

After enjoying the breakfast, you'll be picked up again at 8AM and taken to the beautiful farm to begin your riding. It's about 30 minutes to get to the farm in Cootharaba at which time guests will be able to catch their own horses, feed them, tack them up etc.

Mounting up at 10:30AM - this ride is approximately 15-20km’s of rolling hills, 360 degree views and tall gum tree forests. There are 2-3 spots to stop along the way for refreshments. It's a gorgeous ride through gum and rainforest - and don't forget to look up, you might spot a koala. You will definitely see wallabies on this ride! The ride has several spots that cross little creeks, it is an utterly beautiful ride.

Your lunch stop today takes your group into the little township of Kin Kin where you can have lunch at the quirky (and heritage listed) little Kin Kin pub. This little pub and hotel is hidden away in the hinterland and it truly an institution. It's authentic Australian culture and rarely will you see tourists - so it's a super fun place to relax and slake your thirst. They have delicious food and a selection of nice cold drinks, all while your horses have their own relaxation under the shady trees.

Around 3.30PM you will be brought back to the farm for drinks and nibbles as well as the chance to untack, feed and turn out your steed, before being taken to the accommodation at the resort around 5:30PM.

Day 6:

Another wonderful and fresh buffet breakfast awaits prior to your usual 9AM pick up.

Today you will ride through Eumundi Conservation Park. It's a fun ride, with cool shade and interesting trees. Winding through the lovely and shady trees are awesome tracks through the forest. There are even some logs to pop over if you like, along There will be ample opportunities for you to trot and canter through the tall, tree-lined trail.

You will be taken to a beautiful place for lunch in Noosa called Halse Lodge, one of the oldest buildings on Hastings Street. With its timber deck, it is a lovely setting for lunch. And...... there is still more to come!

You then meet up with your horse back on the beach - but today, this visit is one for the books for sure - the chance to swim the horses (so be sure to have your bathing suit on under your clothes)! (NOTE: swimming with your horse depends on the conditions, the swell, winds and tides - all of which will dictate the chance to swim) otherwise a fun ride along the beach is never a bad thing!

Around 5:30PM you will say a fond goodbye to your guides and your amazing horse......and be returned back to your accommodation at the resort, to enjoy one more night at your accommodation.

Day 7:

Check out after breakfast. Or, if you prefer, we are happy to assist you in extending your stay, just let us know!

NOTE:

This ride is for intermediate/Experienced riders only, riders must be fit and healthy, and capable of riding up and down steep hills. 2-5 hours in the saddle on all 4 riding days. A strict weight limit of 90k is observed (clothed).

THINGS TO DO IN THE NOOSA/SUNSHINE COAST AREA

Australia Zoo – home of Steve Irwin, Australia Zoo is located only a 30-40 minute drive from Noosa, and is open 7 days a week.

Noosa National Park – a 5 minute drive/25 minute walk from RACV resort, approximately 10km return hike from the carpark. Incredible ocean views, where you will often see whales, dolphins, turtles, koalas etc.

Everglades Eco Safari - an eco boat tour up one of only two naturally occurring everglade systems in the world.

Epic Ocean Adventures – open ocean, guided kayaking adventures, guests often see dolphins, whales, stingrays, turtles etc.

Waterfalls in the area - Kondalilla falls (approximately 40 minutes drive from Noosa), Wappa Falls (approximately 25 minutes drive from Noosa), Buderim falls (approximately 35 minutes drive from Noosa).

Whale Watching – available via Noosa or Mooloolaba.

Eumundi Markets – world famous markets, with lots of artisanal stalls, selling arts, crafts, gifts, clothing, food etc.

Treetop Challenge – a high ropes course in amongst the forest canopy, linked by ziplines. Located 35 minutes from Noosa.

Maleny/Montville – a popular tourist drive, with breathtaking views and quaint townships to stop for coffee along the way.