Bogong Horseback Adventures

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.

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.

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!

Had the best packed horse trip at Bogong horseback adventures!! The first and last night we stayed at the farm in their beautiful apartments. At the trip we slept in swags. The rides were just beautiful and my horse, Walace, was a perfect match for me. Just the experience of going away from society with all your stuff on pack horses was amazing. I will never forget this. And everyone working at the farm is just so nice!!

We went on the 2-hour ride and enjoyed it. The horses are very well cared for and well-trained, I felt safe and managed to relax, enjoy the beautiful views and have fun on my first horse ride. The guides Emily and Nic were great. We will be back for more adventures :)

Great experience as a first time horserider on the 2 hour afternoon tour! The team were great guides, my horse gave me a cuddle at the end and the views on the ride were stunning. Everyone was really kind and patient and helped my childhood dreams come true.

Excellent adventure. The tour guides was great. Really made sure everyone was comfortable with their horses based on their experience.

Beautiful country side. Did the 2 hour ride but I think the half day ride would be better again.

My brother and I had a great 2 hour ride with Ellie who was absolutely wonderful. She knew the horses really well and was very accommodating for first time riders, while still making the ride fun for everyone.
Definitely recommend.

My friend and I did the half day ride, leaving around 9 am and returning a little after 1 pm. The guides were clearly very passionate about their horses, and it is reflected in how well trained (and cuddly) the horses were! The experience was very safe and well managed. The varying landscape and scenery makes for an exciting ride.

My wife has ridden with Bogong Horseback Adventures half a dozen times now. They are consistently excellent. We have gone to more local trail rides but nothing compares to the Bogong experience. You get to canter and actually ride your horse there rather than be stuck in a line looking at the backside of the person in front.

Loved this afternoon trail ride, staff were wonderful, horses were beautiful, glorious setting in Victorian Alps, probably my last ride so happy we did this 😍

I’m a return customer to BHA and have been going on trail rides with them over the past 8 yrs when I holiday in Bright. I think this is my second review over that time. In the past week I’ve gone on 2 x half day rides and 1 x 2 hour ride. All were a fantastic experience. I got to ride a different horse each time and each was very well trained, cared for and in excellent health. I’m an experienced rider and have been riding all my life so it’s great to connect with horses that willingly listen and respond to any aides I give. While we still got to trot/canter on the two hour ride, I’d recommend this one for beginner riders or those wanting to (re)build confidence. The half day ride provides great opportunities to canter uphill in the national park and, depending on the route taken, some “man from snowy river” steep descent IYKYK! The Baird family and support staff that work with BHA have all been so welcoming to me over the years and it’s one of the many reasons I keep going back. I have friends that have done the multi day ride and found it a transformational experience - it’s on my list of things to try very soon! Thanks Cath, Lin, Alex, Pip, Em and Amelie for an amazing week and apples and horse hugs go to Wallace, Bonnie and Maude.

Had an amazing half day ride this weekend! As someone with horses of my own, I get nervous going to trail riding places, I’ve seen some where the horses weren’t treated as they should but all of the horses on our ride at Bogong were in beautiful condition and beautiful of temperament. The scenery is gorgeous, and the fact that the ride caters for people with some riding experience made it enjoyable

This was the first ever horse riding experience for my 8yr old daughter. Was a bit nervous for her, but she had an amazing time and was well looked after by the fantastic team. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride too given that we too are absolute beginners. The 2hr ride went through some stunning scenery with some exciting trotting along the way. The horses were so well mannered and easy to control. This was the most exciting and scenic horse ride I have ever done. Highly recommended.

Absolutely loved riding with Bogong Horseback Adventures. The instructions before setting off were by far the best we’ve ever had before with any other similar trail riding in Victoria or elsewhere. The horses were very relaxed and easy to ride. And you’ll get to enjoy some great scenery on the way. Highly recommended!

I did the half-day ride and long lunch on Sat 25/11/23. The facilities were fantastic and the horses were beautiful. Our trail leaders were friendly and gave great instruction/direction. The lunch afterwards was super delicious. We rode for 3 hours and spent almost the entire ride back cantering which was awesome. It had been raining heavily the day prior so some of the tracks had big puddles and mud, which made the ride more fun and a bit messy! We crossed shallow streams, rode alongside roads and up winding tracks in the National Park. Bring zip up layers, sunglasses and sunscreen in your pack as Victorian weather changes every 30mins! The flies were bad so apply insect repellent. Helmets, cowboy boots and long oilskins jackets are provided. This is a ride for experienced riders, I do not recommend for people who cannot confidently canter.

Great ride in magnificent country.
It was a great ride in magnificent country at the base of Mount Bogong. Everyone was very friendly and helpful with an outstanding family lunch on completion of the ride. Highly recommended and will be looking to stay overnight if my travel allow me to do this again.

We had a wonderful 2 hour ride! The staff were very knowledgeable and thorough, making sure you knew what to do before getting you on the horse. The views were spectacular and the ride through different terrain was a totally different experience to any I’ve had before. They had enough scope to keep everyone supervised and still allow opportunities to practice steering and horse control. Would absolutely return next time I’m in the area.

Reliable, friendly, sound professional knowledge, good value.
Sunday 21 June I took my son for his first ever ride. I went the extra distance to go there rather than more locally because I had been here a decade earlier and knew how well they treated and trained their horses and wanted my son's first experience to be positive. The lesson at the start and advice during the ride meant my son went from zero experience to a rising trot and canter in the one 2 hour ride with grace and ease. It also meant that my "rusty" skills were reminded of key points before riding so that getting back in the saddle was a whole lot easier. The horses were well behaved, well trained, and staff were very friendly, professional, and aware and practicing social distancing and hygiene, giving me total confidence. Thank you, we will be back when it is again possible.

Such a perfect experience. Booked a two day package that included a half-day ride, accomodation and meals. Every aspect was wonderful: accom was heavenly; food was amazing and the horse ride was a fantastic adventure. Hosts were warm and friendly. Highly recommend, will be back.