Bogong Horseback Adventures - Tawonga, Victoria

Maria

It was amazing!! Comfortable saddles (which fit men and women easier ) trained horses, and pigskin raincoats and hats and boots and more equipment for horse riding (it was pouring rain when we were there ). Also very cheap for a 4hr trail ride, and a nice demo and help. Would go again.

Michelle Espagne

Did the full day ride and was fortunate to have no novice riders in our group, ( which is recommended on their site but apparently 2 trail rides can make you an experienced rider). Our guides Ali and Alice were lovely, professional, caring and true horse lovers. The natural horsemanship rundown to begin was refreshing, the horses were well trained yet forward moving, lots of opportunities to trot and canter, lovely creek crossings and stunning countryside.
Was a hot day and would suggest taking an extra water bottle to combat the heat.
All in all a lovely day out on the Bogong high country.
Thankyou again Ali , Alice, and Swindy for a memorable holiday in the high country.

Leah Andrews

This was the best ride I've ever done. As a relatively experienced rider, it's hard to find places where the horses are responsive and not shut down to cope with non-riders. My mare Bluff was ready to please but also extremely responsive with a lovely trot and canter. Plenty of that to be had, which was just lovely and super invigorating. The ride itself up Mount Bogong was amazing, challenging, fabulous. I just loved it. The pack lunch was also fantastic and had my first taste of real billy tea. I will be back.

C Flanagan

We LOVED our half day experience. It was our fist time riding and we couldn’t have felt better. The stables and grounds were stunning, the staff we’re knowledgeable and fun and the horses were forgiving and beautiful. Highly recommend 🙂

Chris Saunders

I’ve just returned from the 5 day History of the High Plains tour, which included 3 days riding.

Day 1: arrival at Spring Spur homestead. The accomodation was comfortable and the owners (Lin and Alex) very welcoming. The riders’ lounge combined lounge/dining areas, bar, and library. It was a great place to meet other riders while we were briefed and provided with quality sleeping bags, mats & our choice of traditional swags or modern tents. Dinner was delicious with winemaker Alex’s excellent wine.

Day 2: after breakfast we went to the stables for helmets, serviceable oilskins and boots (if needed). We met our horses - I got gentle giant Clyde, who was well behaved and responsive to ride, then we had a valuable lesson in natural horsemanship.
Lin led out across the valley with 2 other awesome guides Pip and Amelie, and our pack animals. We stopped for lunch where Alex was waiting with a trailer ready to load up the pack animals. Some riders helped, but it wasn’t assumed or expected.
From there we climbed more steeply with some adrenaline-charged sections, and all riders made it up safely thanks to the experienced horses. The scenery got wilder before we rode into campsite late in the afternoon.
Our guides worked hard to get horses unsaddled, unloaded, turned loose and fed, then set up camp. Offers to help were gratefully received though not requested nor expected. An electric fence was set up around the camp to keep the horses out. This worked well and we were glad of it, listening to them moving around their paddock in the night! A toilet was set up behind a privacy screen, with sunset views across the valley - a loo with a view. A hand cleaning station was set up in camp so good hygiene was easy.
Lin cooked a great campfire meal, washed down with beer/wine followed by billy tea or coffee. After the warm sunny day, the night got surprisingly cold for mid-January so I was glad I packed warm clothes (per the provided packing list). After a few campfire tales we hit our swags, which were warm & comfortable, and it was a treat to look out at the stars.

Day 3: woke to a light frost but the day warmed quickly as the sun rose. Breakfast, tea/coffee was served fresh from the campfire before we saddled up. Some of us helped with this but again there was no pressure and some riders chose to leave it to the experts - I like to be hands-on so this added to my experience. We set off with a blazing blue sky, very grateful for the sun-brims fitted to our helmets, and climbed up towards the peak of Mount Fainter. The views got even better and Lin pointed out many notable peaks around us. With only a single packhorse today we enjoyed a few canters, and our guides happily answered any questions. We returned by the same route and once back at camp some of us had fun unsaddling, watering and rubbing down our horses. That still left time to relax in the evening sunshine enjoying drinks and nibbles before another great meal.

Day 4: after breakfast, camp was packed up and we began loading the pack animals. We retraced our route from day 2; the steep downhills were exciting and the horses knew exactly what to do.
Back at Spring Spur I enjoyed helping wash down and feed the horses one last time.
Horses sorted, we appreciated hot showers before joining the Baird family and our crew for a final dinner together at the long table, accompanied by some great stories about the early days. It felt very homely, like being invited into someone's family.

Day 5: one last very relaxed breakfast, before swapping contact details, and I think all were sad that the adventure was over.

In summary, the horses and riding were great. Lin, Pip, and Amelie worked incredibly hard from first light to well after dark to look after us and the horses, and were always happy to help anyone with anything to make their trip more enjoyable. Spring Spur was a great place to begin and end the trip and the food, wines and company were excellent. Highly recommended!

Sarah Josephsen

The 3 Day pack ride is an experience I’ll never forget. If you love the bush, animals and have a sense of adventure- this is for you. I had zero horse riding experience, but I love trying new things- and I sure got to do that! No question that I asked was too silly (and I had many) and Linn, Alex, Pip and Amalie were patient and excellent teachers. I was matched with the right horse for me. Banner, you’re the best. Cantering across the high plains, sleeping in a swag under the stars, sharing stories around the campfire, the peace and quiet of the bush and learning all about horses and becoming more in tune with their behaviour within the herd. It was like being transported into a whole new world and I wanted to soak it all up. It’s hard work for us guests, but Lin and his team are next level. The process of saddling up 18 horses and loading up mules is a big job, but our crew all wanted to get amongst it and learn as much as we could. And be useful! We slept soundly in our swags out at Bogong Jacks campsite, and even more luxuriously when we arrived back at Spring Spur for our final night.
This trip was truely amazing. I think everyone changed in some way out there. It’s hard to put it into words, but hopefully this helps inspire someone else to take on a REAL adventure like this. You won’t regret it.

Renae Ciuffetelli

My wife and myself did the half day horse ride, what a great experience it was. Our instructors Emily and Alice were the best, such nice down to earth people, really love what they do and made it such a great day for our group. The horses are all so well trained, as riders with no experience there were no dramas at all. The ride takes you through some beautiful spots, well worth the money.

Molly Robbins

Absolutely incredible, we are planning our next half day ride.
We were perfectly matched to Sierra and Sterling.
At first, we were nervous, but the staff made us feel informed, comforted, and confident.
This is a true core memory for me to share with my daughter.
Into a national park, through the bush and creeks. Whilst listening to the rytmic sounds of horse hooves behind and infront.
Learning to trot and canter.
Then, returning to the riders lounge, greeted by mana the blue Heeler X staffy, ?
We were able to stable our horses, take their saddles off ect, the entire experience is one I will never forget.

Thanks bogong outback horse adventures, we will see you again.