WATSON'S MOUNTAIN COUNTRY TRAIL RIDES
Experience the beauty and history of the Victorian High Country on horseback.
Michael and Sally Watson welcome you to a high country adventure experience. Our trail rides range from 1 – 3 hour Short Rides, 2 Day Bunkhouse Rides, 2 Day luxury horse rides, 5 Day Man from Snowy River and Heritage horse rides through to a 7 Day Bluff and Beyond Wilderness Ride. We are open all year round and our horse riding tours are 3 hours driving time north east of Melbourne near the township of Mansfield. We run Our Rides 7 days a week through all seasons, be it in the warmth of an oilskin coat in the cool weather or enjoying relief from the heat in a high country summer.
This is your first step to experiencing the beauty and history of the Victorian High Country on horseback.
RIDE SCHEDULE
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date
Horse Rides:
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All
1 Day 2 Night Man from Snowy River Ride
2 day 1 Night Man from Snowy River Private Camping Ride
2 Day 2 Night Howqua River Ride
2 Day 2 Night Howqua Valley Ride
2 Day Luxury Ride
2 Day Luxury Ride and Fly Fishing Tour
3 Day 3 Night Luxury Ride
5 Day 5 Night Howqua River Ride
5 Day MFSR Luxury
7 Day Bluff and Beyond Ride
Available
overnight rides
Private Ride
Price
$3000.00pp inc GST
Availability
Booked Out
Event Details
Event Details
Mountains, rivers & wildlife : Experience all the High country has to offer on this exciting five day adventure.
– See the Jump Scene in the ‘Man from Snowy River’ movie
– Rustic overnight accommodation.
– Authentic pioneer homestead experience
– local gourmet cuisine including degustation dinner
– Spectacular 360 degree views.
– Many river crossings.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive at 9.30am at our high country farming property
that’s been in the Watson family for many generations.
After saddling up, we set off on our ‘Man from Snowy River’ experience on horseback. We ride up to spectacular 360 degree views and along the way, watch out for the wildlife that often takes a look at us, including kangaroos, wallabies and Australia’s largest bird of flight, the wedge tail eagle.
We stop at our Bush Hut for a BBQ lunch and then in the
afternoon we ride to the Hideout. We then transfer by vehicle to Black Horse Park. A beautiful collection of main building and a chapel with many rooms.
We relax with a BBQ dinner in the main house.
Day 2: Next morning we transport back to the Hideout then we Next morning we enjoy an early hearty country breakfast and start our journey up the majestic Howqua River along the high track towards “Stockyard Creek”. It is a challenging days riding with spectacular views over the river, tree fern gullies and cantering sections. We stop for a pack lunch on the river bank surrounded by just mountains.
After lunch we ride through Wares Flat, Whisky Flat and Tobacco Flat and into Stockyard Creek to the Stoney families Pioneering Homestead. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the homestead with all the trimmings and then retire to your room furnished with original pioneer relics.
Day 3: A relaxing sleep in then an indulgent breakfast awaits. This is a day of relaxation where we explore the historic Howqua Hills area including ‘The Chinese Gold Diggings’, ‘Professors Hut’ and ‘Fred Fry’s Hut’.
Tonight’s dinner is a traditional roast in the homestead.
Day 4: An early rise and cooked breakfast. Today we transport the horses to Mt Stirling and climb up to Clear Hills to visit ‘Craigs Hut’ made famous in the “Man from Snowy River” movie.
Enjoy lunch at this iconic location and then we descend to King
Saddle. We transfer by vehicle to Mansfield and then enjoy a degustation dinner in one of Mansfield’s finest eateries.
We stay tonight in Mansfield.
Day 5: Next morning we enjoy breakfast in Mansfield then
transfer to our farm to ride to “Kate Cameron’s Peak” where we see the perilously steep hill where the famous jump scene from the movie was filmed.
We wind our way back down to the farmhouse and then transfer to Mansfield for lunch at the Mansfield Regional Produce Store.
Ready for your next adventure?
Book NowTime
4 (Monday) - 10 (Sunday)
Price
$700.00pp inc GST – $140.00pp deposit upon booking and balance due 30 days out from ride date
Availability
Booked Out
Event Details
Event Details
Mountains, rivers & wildlife : Experience all the High country has to offer on this exciting two day adventure.
– See the Jump Scene in the ‘Man from Snowy River’ movie
– Overnight accomodation in rustic bunkhouse.
– Spectacular 360 degree views.
– Up to 6 river crossings.
ITINERARY
Pre: Arrive at our accommodation the ‘Hideout’
Day 1: Enjoy a cooked breakfast before departing the ‘Hideout’ for a short drive to our high country farming property that’s been in the Watson family for many generations.
We set off from our farm and ride through to the Dungeon Gully and then traverse the bridle tracks along creek beds and open tracks to the Howqua River and the ‘Hideout’ for lunch.
After lunch we then follow the high track up the river through Running Creek Reserve with spectacular views over the river. Our return is via the river track with many crossings and exciting cantering sections.
We enjoy a roast dinner and large campfire in the evening.
Day 2: Next morning we enjoy a hearty country breakfast that gives you a big energy boost before we set off down the high track and then head for “Kate Camerons Peak” where we see the perilously steep hill where the famous jump scene from the movie was filmed.
We wind our way back down to the valley floor to the farm house for a late lunch to complete our ride.
Ready for your next adventure?
Book NowTime
9 (Saturday) - 10 (Sunday)
Price
$1200.00pp inc GST
Availability
Booked Out
Event Details
Event Details
Mountains, rivers & wildlife : Experience all the High country has to offer on this exciting three day adventure.
– See the Jump Scene in the ‘Man from Snowy River’ movie
– Quality overnight accommodation.
– local gourmet cuisine
– Spectacular 360 degree views
– Many river crossings
ITINERARY
Pre Arrive after 4.00pm at your accommodation of either the cottage or house at Riverdowns
Day 1 Depart Riverdowns ro arrive by 9.30am at our high country farming property that’s been in the Watson family for many generations.
We set off on our ‘Man from Snowy River’ experience on horseback. We ride up to spectacular 360 degree views and along the way, watch out for the wildlife that often takes a look at us, including kangaroos, wallabies and Australia’s largest bird of flight, the wedge tail eagle.
We stop at our bush hut for lunch and then in the afternoon we traverse the bridle tracks through quiet valleys and points of rich historical interest.
Then luxuriate at the end of the day in your fully renovated Historic Miners Cottage complete with spa bath for the evening or at the Riverhouse with a beautiful view overlooking the Howqua River. Enjoy a relaxed dinner with our regional produce hamper supplied by our local Mansfield Regional Produce Store.
Day 2: Breakfast is supplied in the cottage and then we then set off for “Kate Camerons Peak” where we see the perilously steep hill where the famous jump scene from the “Man from Snowy River” movie was filmed. We wind our way back down to the farm to complete our ride. We then drive to Mansfield Regional Produce Store for lunch.
Ready for your next adventure?
Book NowTime
12 (Tuesday) - 13 (Wednesday)
Location
Booroolite
296 three chain road, booroolite
Price
$795.00pp inc GST – ($150.00pp deposit upon booking and balance due 16th October 2024)
Availability
Booked Out
Event Details
Event Details
Mountains, rivers & wildlife : Experience all the High country has to offer on this exciting two day adventure.
– See the Jump Scene in the ‘Man from Snowy River’ movie
– Overnight accomodation in rustic bunkhouse.
– Spectacular 360 degree views.
– Up to 6 river crossings.
ITINERARY
Pre: Arrive at our accommodation the ‘Hideout’
Day 1: Enjoy a cooked breakfast before departing the ‘Hideout’ for a short drive to our high country farming property that’s been in the Watson family for many generations.
We set off from our farm and ride through to the Dungeon Gully and then traverse the bridle tracks along creek beds and open tracks to the Howqua River and the ‘Hideout’ for lunch.
After lunch we then follow the high track up the river through Running Creek Reserve with spectacular views over the river. Our return is via the river track with many crossings and exciting cantering sections.
We enjoy a roast dinner and large campfire in the evening.
Day 2: Next morning we enjoy a hearty country breakfast that gives you a big energy boost before we set off down the high track and then head for “Kate Camerons Peak” where we see the perilously steep hill where the famous jump scene from the movie was filmed.
We wind our way back down to the valley floor to the farm house for a late lunch to complete our ride.
Ready for your next adventure?
Book NowTime
16 (Saturday) - 17 (Sunday)
Price
$1200.00pp inc GST
Availability
Booked Out
Event Details
Event Details
Mountains, rivers & wildlife : Experience all the High country has to offer on this exciting three day adventure.
– See the Jump Scene in the ‘Man from Snowy River’ movie
– Quality overnight accommodation.
– local gourmet cuisine
– Spectacular 360 degree views
– Many river crossings
ITINERARY
Pre Arrive after 4.00pm at your accommodation of either the cottage or house at Riverdowns
Day 1 Depart Riverdowns ro arrive by 9.30am at our high country farming property that’s been in the Watson family for many generations.
We set off on our ‘Man from Snowy River’ experience on horseback. We ride up to spectacular 360 degree views and along the way, watch out for the wildlife that often takes a look at us, including kangaroos, wallabies and Australia’s largest bird of flight, the wedge tail eagle.
We stop at our bush hut for lunch and then in the afternoon we traverse the bridle tracks through quiet valleys and points of rich historical interest.
Then luxuriate at the end of the day in your fully renovated Historic Miners Cottage complete with spa bath for the evening or at the Riverhouse with a beautiful view overlooking the Howqua River. Enjoy a relaxed dinner with our regional produce hamper supplied by our local Mansfield Regional Produce Store.
Day 2: Breakfast is supplied in the cottage and then we then set off for “Kate Camerons Peak” where we see the perilously steep hill where the famous jump scene from the “Man from Snowy River” movie was filmed. We wind our way back down to the farm to complete our ride. We then drive to Mansfield Regional Produce Store for lunch.
Ready for your next adventure?
Book NowTime
19 (Tuesday) - 20 (Wednesday)
Location
Booroolite
296 three chain road, booroolite
Price
$2700.00pp inc GST
Availability
Booked Out
Event Details
Day 1: Arrive at 9.30am at our farm. We ride from our farm to the Hideout for the evening via Kate Camerons peak the site used for the jump scene [...]
Event Details
Day 1: Arrive at 9.30am at our farm. We ride from our farm to the Hideout for the evening via Kate Camerons peak the site used for the jump scene in the Man from Snowy River movie.
Day 2: After a hearty breakfast we ride along the ‘Howqua Feeder’ track into Howqua Hills for lunch. After lunch we take the river trail to ‘7 mile’ for the evening.
Day 3: We ride up Brocks Road with plenty of cantering and onto Refrigerator Gap for lunch. We then ride under the spectacular face of the “Bluff” and then up past the “Bluff Hut” and onto the “Lovick Hut” for the evening again under canvas. Here we are surrounded by the magnificent snow gums.
Day 4: We enjoy a leisurely start to the day before saddling up and riding across the peaks of this truly remarkable landscape. A brilliant day for photo’s with breathtaking cliff edges and mountains that seem to stretch on forever. We take in the views of “Picture Point”, Mt Howitt, The Cross Cut Saw, Mt Speculation and onto Mt Cobbler. We enjoy lunch on the side of Mt Magdala. We stay again under canvas at Lovick’s Hut for the evening.
Day 5: We ride across to the Bluff Hut for lunch and then ride to the summit of The Bluff. This is a most spectacular ride with amazing scenery once again. We enjoy a camp fire dinner in the evening back at Lovick’s Hut.
Day 6: We pack up camp and then ride down towards the twin dams for lunch and then down the 16 mile jeep track and “Pikes Flat” and then follow the river past ‘Bindaree Flat’ and onto ‘Flat Spur’ for the evening.
Day 7: Today we climb Mt Stirling for ‘Craigs Hut’. A half day ride to the hut and time for photo’s before horses are collected by truck and guests by bus. We travel via Merrijig for lunch before returning to the farm.
Ready for your next adventure?
Book NowTime
November 30 (Saturday) - December 6 (Friday)
AN AUTHENTIC
HIGH COUNTRY EXPERIENCE
YEARS
Operating trail rides over 2 generations.
HORSES
Actively working with us.
YEAR OLD
Working farm and stables.
YEARS
Living in the High Country
CONTACT US
Michael and Sally Watson
PHONE (03) 5777 3552
EMAIL info@watsonstrailrides.com.au
ADDRESS 296 Three Chain Rd, Booroolite, Victoria, 3724
MAIL PO Box 207. Mansfield VIC 3724
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