southern cross horse treks

My little brother and I spent a week at Kathy's place and what a week it was! Fully catered for (Kathy is an excellent cook), and very comfortable accommodation (5 star cabin complete with view). There is plenty of wildlife to enjoy (wallabies, birdlife, frogs in the toilet). And the horses! Oh, the horses! If you are expecting horses that simply "follow-the-leader", then this is not the holiday for you. Experienced riders only as the trails are very adventurous. Plenty of beautiful scenery and we went on a different trail each day. The beach ride was definitely my favourite, galloping down the shoreline like a mad-woman. A couple of restrictions do apply, including weight limits as Arabian horses are quite small. However, Kathy is (as far as I know) adding some larger breeds to her bunch of beauties. Also, this holiday is for competent riders only due to the nature of the rides.Price-wise, you will get serious bang for your buck! Totally worth every penny.Overall, both my brother and I will definitely be back! We both had the best time, thank you Kathy!

I first contacted Southern Cross Horse Treks hoping for a beach ride, and was told that the beach rides were only booked in as part of the longer progressive rides (min 3 days) to be sure that riders can control their horses well enough. However, Kathy went out of her way to accommodate me, and I ended up booking a forest ride, which I shared with one other lady. After asking about my riding experience and what type of horse I preferred, Kathy matched me with beautiful Arabian "Kuta" who was incredibly forward going and responsive but easy to control. On arrival, I was warmly greeted, and offered a cup of tea. We brought in our own horses and groomed and tacked them up, giving plenty of time to get to know them. The horses and their tack were in excellent condition. The top quality flexi-tree leather endurance saddles were incredibly comfortable to ride in, and fitted the horses beautifully. Saddles and bridles were removed during the lunch break to rest the horses, and the horses given hay and water. We had a few gallops, and the horses were keen to go, but we always went progressively through trot and canter with consideration for safety and confidence of the riders. Kathy was helpful and clear in her instructions, as well as being friendly and interesting. The perfect guide. The really striking thing to me was the difference in the attitude of the horses compared to any other place I have ridden. They clearly enjoy their work, and are not typical riding school or trail riding horses. They only do the treks every other week, so they have at least a week off between treks. There are only about 7 (I think) horses in work, so they are given individual attention and very carefully looked after. They are in excellent condition. This is hands down the best place to ride if you are a horse lover and experienced rider. Not suitable for beginners though!

What a fabulous week. Wonderful horses, wonderful rides and wonderful company. The horses are in great condition and very well looked after. The accommodation was perfect and the food delicious. I simply can not wait to return.Thank you Kathy for such a wonderful holiday. Highly recommended

I had the pleasure to join a progressive ride week in December 2012. Not having been an active rider for quite a while, I must admid I worried a bit.The moment I met Kathy, my worries were blown away.I've never met a person SO dedicated, full of insight and a real horse whisperer :-) The horses were lovely, the ride at times demanding (and fun) and the lodging & food wonderful. In addition I made friends for life with my fellow riders!I can warmly recommend a stay at the Southern Cross Horse Treks.

Riding Kathy's beautiful Arabian horses through the stunning countryside North of Sydney is an experience not be missed. Bring your A-game, though - the horses are expertly trained, in the peak of condition, and this is not for beginners. Be it negotiating steep and rocky terrain in the hills or enjoying flat out gallops along pristine, near-deserted beaches, the riding is both exciting and technical. The group size is small (we were 4 riders including Kathy) which makes it a very personal and intimate experience compared to larger groups we've ridden with. Evenings are spent sipping wine and relaxing at Kerewong, where Kathy prepares an excellent dinner while the horses take a well earned rest and wallabies simply hang out looking ridiculously cute. We stayed in the cabin just above the main house, with beautiful views over the paddocks and surrounding countryside; very private and extremely comfortable. Our stay at Kerewong and the outstanding riding experience Southern Cross Horse Treks provides was certainly the highlight of our trip. Very highly recommended for experienced riders.

This ride through the woods in hilly country with a personal guide is exciting for even the most experienced horseman. The horses are beautifully trained and as safe as horses can be while still being free to be horses. They are not the dull horses that you encounter in a rent a horse situation and are not for beginners or children.

If you want to ride the most loved horses ever, in pristine country then look no further than Kerewong. Your host, Kathy, will show you the incredibly beautiful countryside and include a beach ride to remember. Everyday is a new adventure, riding through the natural beauty of the area. You will enjoy fast canters up mountains and see amazing views. A welcomed lunch is brought in and sitting on a comfortable camp chair, around a picnic table, in a unique bush setting is special. Back at the homestead, the horses washed and fed, your very comfortable accommodation awaits. The rooms have an en-suite or you have the option of a beautifully appointed cottage. The deck outside the main house is a great place to have a welcomed drink as you watch the horses relaxing in the paddocks. Dinner, cooked by Kathy, is always yummy! I have been a guest at Kerewong four times and never been disappointed.

Wer auf der Suche nach totaler Entschleunigung, Ruhe, gutem Essen, Gastfreundschaft und dem Kontakt zu Tieren ist, ist bei Kathy genau richtig!Ich persönlich habe mich nach einer 1-jährigen Pause sehr auf das Reiten gefreut und wurde mit viel mehr belohnt. Die Pferde sind alle in einer sehr guten Verfassung und leben in einem Pferdeparadies. Da wir nur 2 Gäste waren, wurde sehr viel Rücksicht auf unsere Wünsche genommen. Die langen schnellen Galoppaden sind ein absolutes Highlight für Pferd und Reiter. Aber auch in ruhigem Schritt durch Regenwald zu reiten hatte fast schon etwas Meditatives.Im Ranch House fühlt man sich sofort wie zu Hause. Es bleiben keine Wünsche offen. Der Kontakt zu Australiens Tierwelt wie Papageien, Wallabys, Kakadus, diversen Vögeln gehört genauso dazu wie interessante Geschichten über Australier und ihre Lebensgewohnheiten selbst. Für mich ein Ort an den ich mit Sicherheit wieder zurück kehren werde.