Bogong Horseback Adventures Tawonga Horse Riding

This expedition starts with a night at Spring Spur. Packing out next morning we follow Dungey’s Track into the upper reaches of the West Kiewa River, camp at Second Crossing and continue upstream to Blair’s Hut. Ascending Weston’s Spur we break out onto the High Plains at the aptly named Pretty Valley, before heading out to the remote Young’s Hut for our second camp. This is the heart of brumby country and expect close encounters. Next we move onto the sheltered Tawonga Huts camp, then traverse Mount Fainter before descending into Bogong Jack’s hideout for a final night beneath the snow gums and stars. The expedition then descends back into the Kiewa Valley via Big Hill Cattle Track to the comforts of Spring Spur swapping your swag for a luxurious bed and delicious home-cooked dinner!
Bogong Horseback Adventures’ pack horse expedition program commences annually in the late spring when the peaks of the Victorian High Country shake off their winter snows and alpine life starts to stir. For thousands of years the Aboriginal peoples of the surrounding country embarked on their annual migration to the High Plains, and until recently the mountain cattlemen, following their time honoured ways pushed their cattle up to the 'tops'. Along with gold seekers, bushrangers, and early adventurers, they all helped create a rich heritage, woven into the rugged fabric of the High Country. Much of the High Country remains un-roaded today, and packhorse expeditions offer a traditional and practical means of exploring this vast landscape. The horses are a feature of this expedition, each of them our own bred and trained mountain horse, expertly matched to the rider. Each day the camp is packed up, loaded onto the packhorses and the journey continues. Riding is between 15 to 25km per day with opportunities for loping canters across open plains. Camps are selected for their beautiful settings, some in traditional stock camps featuring huts, but often secluded bush camps maintained by Bogong Horseback Adventures. With swags rolled out dinner is prepared and enjoyed around a warming fire, with a cold beer, a local wine and a meal prepared from local fresh produce on the coals. All expeditions include a night before and a night after at Spring Spur, where you can join the family for a meal and enjoy your comfortable en-suite room.

INCLUSIONS
Experienced, knowledgeable guides
Spring Spur accommodation before and after the expedition
All group camping equipment
Quality locally bred and trained horses
Quality Australian saddlery
All meals as per the itinerary
Beer and table wine with evening meal
Helmets and oilskin coats
National Park fees
First aid and emergency communications
Packing lists and travel information
OPTIONS
Transfers to and from Albury NSW
ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrive at Spring Spur homestead afternoon/evening
Evening Supper - Spring Spur Accommodation
Day 2
Pre ride information, horsemanship basics in the yards at BHA and packing check. Ride through the West Kiewa gorge via Dungey’s Track to camp on the second crossing flats.
B L D - Camping
Day 3
Climb up to the High Plains via Blair’s Hut, Weston Spur and on to camp at Young’s Hut.
B L D - Camping
Day 4
From Young’s Hut we ride out across the aptly named Pretty Valley, before descending into the sheltered camp at Tawonga Huts.
B L D - Camping
Day 5
Traversing below Mount Jiatmathang, we climb Mount Fainter for some spectacular views of nearby Mount Feathertop and the distant ridges and valleys of North East Victoria, then drop down into the tree line for a special night camping at Bogong Jack’s hideout, on the North Fainter Spur.
B L D - Camping
Day 6
Return to Spring Spur via the Big Hill Cattle Track.
B L D - Spring Spur Accommodation
Day 7
Mid morning checkout.
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