Booroolite - Buckle Up Bushrides
Let us take you through some amazing sites of Victoria's High Country. Enjoy bush trails, river crossings or some local wineries. We can tailor a ride to your interests and experience. Our horses can be matched to your level of experience, whether it be a relaxing ride to enjoy a local winery or to explore Craig's Hut and beyond we can cater for it all individuals and groups.
Rides
Day/ Weekend Rides
Merrijig Rodeo (Labour Day Weekend)
Day one: we saddle up for a full day's ride into and around the back country of Merrijig with a stopover at the Hunt Club Hotel and onto our first destination, being on private property on the beautiful banks of the Delatite River. We set up camp and relax over some cheese and biscuits before we head over to the annual Merrijig Twilight Rodeo (dinner can be purchased at the rodeo) where you can watch firsthand the excitement of bull riding, the thrill of the saddle broncs, and that's just a few of the events that liven up the evening once the gates open at 6pm. This rodeo is part of the circuit and is a big part of the Merrijig community! At least 5000 people attend so if you are looking for a cowboy or a cowgirl this is the place to be!! At the evenings end it's a short leisurely walk back to camp under the stars.
Day two: we spend the morning relaxing by the Delatite River where we enjoy brunch before we saddle up the horses and take a leisurely late afternoon ride where we will have drinks and a cheese platter bought out to us where we can watch the beautiful sunset over the Merrijig and Boorolite Valley atop of Rocky Hill. Spectacular!
Make sure you pack your swimming gear and a hot shower is also available!
Day three: is a full day in the saddle exploring the area before heading back to the farm in Boorolite.
Howqua Valley Weekend Ride
Buckle Up Bushrides will take you on a fantastic weekend away in the historical Howqua Valley with many bridle tracks to be explored!
This old gold mining area on the Howqua River is set in a beautiful, secluded valley, once bustling with gold miners but now popular for picnics, bushwalking and four-wheel driving.
While we are out enjoying our ride the friendly back up vehicle staff will be setting up camp by the Howqua river and will have cold drinks waiting for all on arrival! Meals are hearty and home cooked and in fact Paul's mum Kay is renowned for her cooking!
Buckle Up can offer you the comfort of a tent or you can swag out under the stars. You can choose to take a dip in the river after a day in the saddle or for those that like the finer things in life we also have a hot shower on offer!
There is many a great trail out here, there is a ride along the flats to the 7 mile with lunch along the way. Fry's Flat and the historical Fry's Hut. Or we can ride down to Tobacco Flat crisscrossing the river many times along the way.
On our way home we will climb out of the Howqua River Valley over the timber top saddle down to the Boorolite Valley as we ride for home.
These rides are suitable for both beginners through to experienced riders with a horse to suit everyone!
Non riders are also welcome to come and relax on the river with a fishing rod or just bring your favourite book!
Extended Rides
School Holidays 4 Day Kids Camp (Ages 10 - 15 years)
A perfect opportunity for children to experience all aspects of horse-riding and horsemanship from the ground up, our horses are fantastic with kids and are very gentle. We will take beginners along with experienced riders. They will be learning bush skills, whip cracking and how to build a camp fire.
We will be camping out in tents and swags by the river with the horses that the kids can get involved with, they will be riding like champions after 4 days.
Our staff are accredited, and all have had 'working with children' checks and up to date First Aid. We have had many years of experience with kids and those that we once taught now come as young adults and help us with the next generation.
Howqua River Valley Ride (2 & 3 Day Rides)
See schedule for dates, this ride is also available on request. All rides are available on request with a minimum of 6 riders.
This ride is a Howqua River ride which incorporates Sheepyard, Whiskey, Tobacco and Wares Flat. We will be riding the low tracks and the high track. We will see lovely huts along the way like Pickering's Hut and Noonan's Hut. Not to mention Gardner's Hut which are all still privately owned. We will also stop by the historic Fry's Hut on Fry's flat. The bridle tracks throughout this area are fantastic with great canters along the way and follow the river all the way to the foot of the High Country. A very picturesque area that is steeped in history so we will have lots to talk about.
We will be spending one to two nights camping out under the stars and don't forget to bring your swim wear! We will have a hot shower for those that want one along with a campfire, fine dining and lots of laughs.
Great riding and lots of river crossings!
Craig's Hut Howqua River Ride
Price dependent on number of days. Craig's Hut rides are also available on request with a minimum number of 6 riders.
The horses are trucked to King Saddle on Mt Stirling and saddled by our staff whilst our guests are transported by vehicle. We make our way, meandering through Mountain Ash (Woollybutts) along the snow trails and over the top of Mt Stirling, onto the Clear Hills track before arriving and being taken aback by the picturesque 360-degree mountain views from Craig's Hut as seen in the Man from Snowy River movies. We get back in the saddle and make our way thru the twisted snow gums back down on to the head waters of the Howqua River passing Bindaree Falls. We then continue down to the mighty Howqua river where we set up camp under the stars. For those that like to fish feel free to pack the fishing rod, Paul will show you where to catch a trout or two!
There will be many river crossings and sections of the High Track with amazing views looking down onto the river, continuing down river to the famous Sheepyard and Fry's flat camping out again on the banks of the Howqua River.
After packing up camp we head up and out of the Howqua valley passing through Timbertop Saddle and along Three Chain track to the old stock routes and into the beautiful Delatite and Boorolite Valleys and homeward bound.
This ride offers so much....the views across the Great Dividing Range, majestic Mountain Ash, Snow Gums and native wildlife, through to ever changing river crossings that cut their paths from the spectacular mountains into the rolling hills and along the farming flats of the Valleys.
5 Day King Valley Winery Ride
One for the wine buffs! This ride will take us thru the Buttercup Creek, Merrijig and up and over into the King Valley. We will be riding the jeep tracks where we will spend our first night in the heart of the bush under the stars. We will be passing by the beautiful Lake William Hovel before arriving at Cheshunt where we will be accommodated for two nights on the beautiful King River. We will be visiting renowned King Valley wineries such as Pizzini, Politini and Christmont to name but a few! Not to mention a beautiful lunch at the lovely Gracebrook winery.
The following day we head back from where we came stopping at some lovely huts along the way.
If you love the High Country along with some extended canters, not to mention a great glass of wine with friends, this could be the ride for you! What are you waiting for???
Merrijig Rodeo (Labour Day Weekend)
Day one: we saddle up for a full day's ride into and around the back country of Merrijig with a stopover at the Hunt Club Hotel and onto our first destination, being on private property on the beautiful banks of the Delatite River. We set up camp and relax over some cheese and biscuits before we head over to the annual Merrijig Twilight Rodeo (dinner can be purchased at the rodeo) where you can watch firsthand the excitement of bull riding, the thrill of the saddle broncs, and that's just a few of the events that liven up the evening once the gates open at 6pm. This rodeo is part of the circuit and is a big part of the Merrijig community! At least 5000 people attend so if you are looking for a cowboy or a cowgirl this is the place to be!! At the evenings end it's a short leisurely walk back to camp under the stars.
Day two: we spend the morning relaxing by the Delatite River where we enjoy brunch before we saddle up the horses and take a leisurely late afternoon ride where we will have drinks and a cheese platter bought out to us where we can watch the beautiful sunset over the Merrijig and Boorolite Valley atop of Rocky Hill. Spectacular!
Make sure you pack your swimming gear and a hot shower is also available!
Day three: is a full day in the saddle exploring the area before heading back to the farm in Boorolite.
Feature Rides
Lovick's Hut High Country ride
Riding out through Sheepyard flats at the foot of the High Country we ride up the river to the head waters of the Howqua River where we spend our first night camping under the stars at Bindaree on the mighty Howqua.
Venturing on we ride up underneath the Bluff through the Mountain Ash and up into snow gum country to the Bluff hut and into the high country on top of the Great Dividing Range.
The majestic views of the high country will have you in awe! We then ride around Mount Lovick and drop down into the Kings saddle where Lovick's Hut is located amongst all the beautiful snow gums.
Once up at Lovick's Hut you will take in the sights from the Snowy movies, Helicopter Spur, Picture Point and the famous King Billy tree. (Where Jim and Jessica had their first kiss)! We then head back to Lovick's Hut where Kay will be preparing one of her beautiful roast dinners.
After a hearty breakfast, we will head back down the mountain and back into river country, where we cross the Howqua many times with some great canters along the way. We finish up back at historic Howqua Hills.
Fantastic riding, hot showers, great meals, awesome horses!
7 Day Feature ride - Wonnangatta/High Country
Our ride will start at Sheepyard on the first day riding up river to Pikes Flat where we will spend our first night on the river. We will then be climbing up through the mountain ash gumtrees, underneath the Bluff and up to the snow gums and Bluff hut. This hut was the cattle hut of the Stoney family. Continuing along the top and around the south side of Mt Lovick which was named in honor of Paul's great great Uncle Frank Lovick. We then move on to Lovick's Hut nestled in a little saddle between Mt Lovick and the King Billy's. This hut was originally erected by Paul's grandfather Jack back in the 1960's, it has since been rebuilt by the Lovick family and friends.
We then continue our ride up past Picture Point heading towards Mt King Billy 1, we then take a turn over the land bridge to Mt Magdala, past Hell's Window and onto the Howitt High Plains, where you will recognise landmarks from the Snowy River movies. Across the High Plains and onto Howitt Hut.
From Howitt Hut we then make the descent into the picturesque Wonnangatta Valley, where the infamous murders took place at the Wonnangatta Station in 1910. Originally this property was a thriving cattle station but is now part of the National Park. A two-day ride from the nearest township. It is here we will make camp for 2 nights under the beautiful old elm trees on the banks of the river.
Time to take a well-earned day off and relax! Whether it be taking a dip in the Wonnangatta river, reading a book or exploring the historical sites that is on offer. If you like to fish, then make sure you pack a fishing rod! Paul will help you catch grasshoppers! You can be sure his rod will be on board! After one of Aunty Kay's famous dinners we can discuss theories on the 'who dun nit' murders....
Onwards and upwards out of the Wonnangatta Valley where we will spend our final night on the west branch of the Buffalo river. We will then ride the horses to the awaiting trucks where they will head home we will eat lunch with an entree of mountain trout! We will then drive home via Whitfield where we will stop off for a cold beer!
It really doesn't get any better than this, beautiful meals, hot showers, great horse riding!
6 Day Craig's Hut High Country Ride
The horses are trucked to King Saddle on Mt Stirling and saddled by our staff whilst our guests are transported by vehicle. We make our way, meandering through Mountain Ash along the snow trails and over the top of Mt Stirling, onto the Clear Hills track before arriving and being taken aback by the picturesque 360-degree mountain views from Craig's Hut as seen in the Man from Snowy River movies. Here we can take some photos, before heading down the other side of Mt Sterling passing Bindaree Falls and onto Bindaree Hut on the banks of the Howqua River.
We then make our ascent back into the High Country climbing up through the mountain ash gums, underneath the Bluff and onto the Bluff hut. This hut was the cattle hut of the Stoney family. Continuing along the top and around the south side of Mt Lovick which was named in honour of Paul's great great Uncle Frank Lovick. The views from here are spectacular!
We will then ride around the face of Mt Lovick named in honour of Paul's great Uncle Frank where you will see magnificent views before making our way to Lovick's Hut for a night around the campfire.
Lovick's Hut is nestled in a little saddle between Mt Lovick and the King Billy's. This hut was originally built by Paul's grandfather Jack back in the 1960's it has since been rebuilt by the Lovick family and friends.
We will ride out for the day and take in the sights from the Snowy River movies such as Helicopter Spur, Picture Point and the famous King Billy tree. We will ride across the land bridge to Mt Magdala where the sights are to behold. We then head back to Lovick's Hut where Kay will be preparing one of her beautiful roast dinners.
On leaving Lovick's Hut we ride back down into the Howqua Valley and follow the course of the magnificent Howqua River along the river tracks and back onto Sheepyard flats. Here we say goodbye to the Howqua Valley and ride past Timbertop Saddle. We then ride our horses to the Merrijig Hunt Club Hotel where will have a toast to our trip and finish the ride on the Delatite River.
And of course, the Merrijig pub for dinner where you can relax and reminisce on all of the wonderful sights, sounds and stories after your 6 days of adventure.....
These ride offers so much.... the views across the Great Dividing Range, majestic Mountain Ash, Snow Gums and native wildlife, through to ever changing river crossings that cut their paths from the spectacular mountains into the rolling hills and along the farming flats of the Valleys.
What more could you want, hot shower? Great meals, fantastic horses and awesome company!
Craig's Hut Howqua River ride
Days: 3 to 6 day rides dependent on number of days on Schedule.
Craig's Hut rides are also available on request with a minimum number of 6 riders.
The horses are trucked to King Saddle on Mt Stirling and saddled by our staff whilst our guests are transported by vehicle. We make our way, meandering through Mountain Ash (Woollybutts) along the snow trails and over the top of Mt Stirling, onto the Clear Hills track before arriving and being taken aback by the picturesque 360-degree mountain views from Craig's Hut as seen in the Man from Snowy River movies. We get back in the saddle and make our way thru the twisted snow gums back down on to the head waters of the Howqua River passing Bindaree Falls. We then continue down to the mighty Howqua river where we set up camp under the stars. For those that like to fish feel free to pack the fishing rod, Paul will show you where to catch a trout or two!
There will be many river crossings and sections of the High Track with amazing views looking down onto the river, continuing down river to the famous Sheepyard and Fry's flat camping out again on the banks of the Howqua River.
After packing up camp we head up and out of the Howqua valley passing through Timbertop Saddle and along Three Chain track to the old stock routes and into the beautiful Delatite and Boorolite Valleys and homeward bound.
This ride offers so much.... the views across the Great Dividing Range, majestic Mountain Ash, Snow Gums and native wildlife, through to ever changing river crossings that cut their paths from the spectacular mountains into the rolling hills and along the farming flats of the Valleys.
Cost:
Ride Schedule & Costs
Location - Buckle Up Bushrides is located in the Boorolite valley about 10km outside of Mansfield. We're an easy 2.5 hour drive from Melbourne.
Location
769 Chapel Hill Road, Booroolite 3723 Map
✆ 0402 103 234
Email Enquiry
Web Links
→ buckleupbushrides.com.au
→ Buckle Up Bushrides on Facebook
