Holiday Camp Adventures!

What a giant adventure we had last week on our school holiday riding camp. Blessed with beautiful, frosty, crisp mornings followed by (mostly!) glorious sunny days, our group of happy, keen kids saddled up and prepared for some action packed days on horseback.

Kids were given their own horse to ride for the duration of the camp, matched to their ability. Each day we packed our lunches and plenty of snacks in our saddle bags, like true roaming jackaroos. The kids enjoyed such a sense of adventure, freedom and responsibility as they learned to care for their horse, each day strengthening the bond,  knowing their needs a little better.  Each rider’s confidence and ability grew with every step and by the end of the camp, the group had become friends with each other and of course, their trusty steeds.

Over the course of three days, we travelled for miles throughout Budgong. We headed up and over Mount Scanzi on Day One, all the way up the Butter Track, a tad chilly up on the ridge, but always a favourite with glorious views down through both Budgong and Kangaroo Valley.  Day 2 saw us clocking up more miles, travelling all the way out to the spectacular lookout rock at Lower Budgong Road and coming home down Abernethy’s Road.  Finally, on Day 3, we headed out towards Tallowa Dam, reaching the ruins trail before happy, but weary riders headed for home.

 After three long days of riding, for at least 5 hours a day, one little girl, when asked if the camp could be improved upon replied, “Longer rides!”  Guess you just can’t get enough!   That’s why we’re so excited about the sleepover camps in September. We can eat, sleep and breathe HORSES!

Email us at info@kangaroovalley.com for more information on future camps for both adults and children.  Find us Riverstone Banks on Facebook to check out more photographs from the camp!

Night Riding!

Have you ever ridden a horse at night? Is it possible? Yes!
Is it exciting.........Sure is!

The night ride will take you through the beautiful Riverstone property over Budgong and School creeks at twilight, up into the bush trails and rain forest, riding by the light of a full moon. The night ride will finish by the fire side at approx. 9.00pm

What to bring: Warm clothing including comfortable track suit pants or jodhpurs, a jumper or warm jacket, filled in shoes with a small heal or riding boots and a rain coat just in case. The cost is $85.00 per person including horse hire, instruction, marshmellows and soft drinks by the camp fire. Join the night ride on your own horse at the cost of $40.00 per rider.


This ride is recommended for intermediate to experienced riders. To make a booking please phone
0402 902 072

Night riding is an experience definately not to be missed!!!!

Horse Riding at Night - what's it like?

Excitement and anticipation filled the cool evening air as we saddled up at sunset. The warmth of the horses breath became visible in plumes of steam expelled from flaring nostrils. Silence filled the olive grove with the exception of the familiar scraping of hooves on the stable floor. 

We began to ride before the moon rose into the night sky. It was difficult to see the ground, but not for the horses. Sure footed, alert and yet relaxed they walked down the hill towards the sound of Budgong Creek.

Motion sickness set in for the riders, for just a few minutes, in the dim light as our balance adjusted to the sway. Crossing the running waters of the rocky creek in the evening was lovely. We searched the sky for the rising moon. It was not yet to be seen. Its' only evidence, the shimmering rays of a hidden moon spilling out above the top of the hill. Riding on, the horses crossed School Creek with ease as we came to the familiar rise to the Burma Fire Trail. We love to canter up this hill and so stopped for just a moment to ponder the safety of such an adventure. The horses had night vision, we had found our balance and so with a gentle bump to the belly, we were off. We laughed together at the top thoroughly enjoying the canter in the dark. The moon was  threatening to rise.

Heading off to the distant paddocks we kept a look out for the grazing cattle and horses. The next decision came. To ride, or not to ride, through the old logging trail to the last Riverstone paddock? Our eyes scanned the sky, no moon. Tentatively we pressed forward as the horses forged confidently on without hesitation. The riders sat back, and listened with heightened awareness to the sounds of wildlife moving through the bush as our noble steeds led the way. At the end of the logging trail ridden in darkness, the last paddock lay ahead bathed in moonlight. It was beautiful. We could now see detail. The trees and grasses shimmered in the night light. It took our breath away.

We turned south taking another pathway through the property and eventually came across the horses and cows relaxing in the night. Stopping, we turned our horses towards the beams of light as the fullness of the moon travelled high into the sky to meet the billions of quivering stars flooding the land in brilliant light. We were spell bound and just did not want to leave. Laughter and stories filled the air. The horses grazed in the evening light. This was the place to be.... away from work, away from traffic, noise, TV, routine. It was an evening never to forget. A night that stands out from the rest.  

Eventually with sighs of almost disappointment we carried on towards the stables. The creek was alight as if with shimmering diamonds dancing around in the running waters. Cantering past the riding paddocks in the bright light of the moon was an experience not to be missed. The fog rolled in as the mist enveloped the landscape. Shards of moon beams cut through the misty air with brilliance. It was majestic. There is a God.

By Deborah Banks, Riverstone.