Melbourne’s unique activities are not limited to hot air ballooning and skydiving, there’s also horse riding! There are many beautiful horse riding centres in the surrounding areas of Melbourne! In this post, we will share a few horse riding centres with you to add a little surprise to your journey!
Best place to go Horse Riding in Melbourne (Trail Rides)
Gunnamatta Trail Rides
If you love the seaside scenery, this horse riding centre located on the peninsula is your best choice! In addition to enjoying horse riding along the coast, there are also jungle rides, hill rides and super romantic sunset rides. Follow the horses and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way, making you fall in love with this place and never want to leave!
Seaside ride: AUD 245 Jungle ride: AUD 175
150 Sandy Rd, Fingal VIC 3939
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm, Duration: 2 hours
Uncle Nev’s Ride
This family-run horse riding centre is only an hour’s drive from the city centre and is a good choice for a weekend trip! The jungle ride here goes through open plains and national forests, witnessing the natural habitats of Australian animals, and encountering cute animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons and echidnas!
A three-hour mountain riding experience that includes helmets and boots. If you’re dressed lightly, you can wear clothes provided by the ranch because it’s been quite cold on the mountain recently. At the mountaintop, free hot tea, coffee, and cookies are provided to recharge your energy.
Throughout the journey, you’ll be riding the horse by yourself. Before starting, the staff will briefly teach you how to control the reins to change direction.
As it is a mountain riding experience, you will be constantly riding uphill and downhill, passing through forests and ponds where horses can rest and drink water. Going downhill can be quite nerve-wracking because the road is muddy and bumpy. You will also see groups of kangaroos and hopping wild rabbits on the mountain!
1-hour ride: AUD 90 2-hour ride: AUD 115 3-hour ride: AUD 130
1115 Wallan-Whittlesea Rd, Upper Plenty 3756
Opening Hours: 9am – 5:30pm, Duration: 1-3 hours
Woodlands Trail Riding
This Australian Equestrian Academy also provides Shetland ponies for children aged 2-7 to ride! Riding through the woods, farms, and countryside, feeling the strong rural atmosphere, as if walking into a leisurely rural life, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, riding a gentle horse, and enjoying the breath of nature together!
1-hour ride: AUD 90 Shetland pony 1-hour ride: AUD 95
10 St Johns Rd, Oaklands Junction VIC 3063
Opening Hours: 7am – 9pm, Duration: 1 hour
Blazing Saddles Trails Rides
1 hour and 45 min drive from Melbourne, on the same road as the Great Ocean Road. You can experience both bush and beach riding. When booking, we suggest calling directly because the email response may be slow. For the Beach and Bush ride, some horse riding experience is required. During the ride, the staff will guide the horse to trot, so it’s easy to lose balance if you don’t have experience. If you are a beginner, you can choose a private ride, which costs $200 per person.
Before riding, the staff will teach some simple control techniques, such as how to make the horse start walking and stop, and how to handle slopes. Most horses are well-behaved and will follow the horse in front of them. However, during the bush ride, try to control the horse yourself and avoid letting the horse run through the bushes as some branches are lush and have thorns. It is recommended to wear socks that cover the ankles!
Lot 1, Bimbadeen Dr, Aireys inlet VIC
Valley Park Riding School
The first time we booked a one-on-one General lesson for 30 minutes, which cost $100 AUD. There is also a 45-minute lesson for $120, but since we were first-time riders, there was no 45-minute option available when booking on the official website. Later, we found out that we could call to make the appointment.
Some sources online mention a $70/class option called Ground Walk Child (Non Riding), which I’m not sure about. It may involve teaching some basics and grooming the horse.
Helmets and boots are provided, so you don’t need to bring your own!
86 Obriens Ln, Templestowe VIC 3106
Horse Riding Tips
- Long sleeves and pants, and closed-toe shoes are recommended for horse riding.
- Horse riding centers generally have little shade, so be sure to use sunscreen.
- It is recommended to choose a suitable horse riding route based on your own experience and ability to avoid danger or discomfort.
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