High Country Feature Rides

Buckle Up Bushrides will have a number of feature rides this season,
taking you deep into the heart of Victoria’s High Country and the roots of Australian bush riding.

PLEASE NOTE:

The Alpine National Park is NOT open until Melbourne Cup Weekend in November.

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HIGH PLAINS

High Country Huts Ride

  We start this ride through Sheepyard flats at the foot of the High Country we ride up river to the head waters of the Howqua River where we spend our first night camping under the stars at either Bindaree Hut or Pikes Flat on the mighty Howqua.

Venturing on we ride up underneath the Bluff through the Mountain Ash and up into snow gum country to the Bluff hut and into the high country on top of the Great Dividing Range.

The majestic views of the high country will have you in awe!  We then ride around Mount Lovick and drop down into the Kings saddle where Lovick’s Hut is located amongst all the beautiful snow gums.

Once up at Lovick’s Hut you will take in the sights from the Snowy movies, Helicopter Spur, Picture Point and the famous King Billy tree.  (Where Jim and Jessica had their first kiss)!  We then head back to Lovick’s Hut where a hearty dinner will be in the making!

After a hearty breakfast, we will head back down the mountain and back into river country, where we cross the Howqua many times with some great canters along the way.  We will have lunch at Richie's Hut finishing back at historic Howqua Hills where you will see the lovely Fry's Hut.

Fantastic riding, hot showers, great meals, awesome horses!

BUCKLE UP!

8 Day Feature ride – Wonnangatta/High Country

Our ride will start at the 7 mile on the first day, riding up river to Pikes Flat where we will spend our first night on the river.  We will then be climbing up through the mountain ash gumtrees, underneath the Bluff and up to the snow gums and Bluff hut. This hut was the cattle hut of the Stoney family. Continuing along the top and around the south side of Mt Lovick which was named in honor of Paul’s great great Uncle Frank Lovick. We then move on to Lovick’s Hut nestled in a little saddle between Mt Lovick and the King Billy’s. This hut was originally erected by Paul’s grandfather Jack Lovick back in the 1960’s, it has since been rebuilt by the Lovick family and friends.

We then continue our ride up past Picture Point heading towards Mt King Billy 1, we then take a turn over the land bridge to Mt Magdala, past Hell’s Window and onto the Howitt High Plains, where you will recognise landmarks from the Snowy River movies. Across the High Plains and onto Howitt Hut.

From Howitt Hut we then make the descent into the picturesque Wonnangatta Valley, where the infamous murders took place at the Wonnangatta Station in 1910.   Originally this property was a thriving cattle station but is now part of the National Park. A two-day ride from the nearest township. It is here we will make camp for 2 nights under the beautiful old elm trees on the banks of the river.

Time to take a well-earned day off and relax! Whether it be taking a dip in the Wonnangatta river, reading a book or exploring the historical sites that is on offer. If you like to fish, then make sure you pack a fishing rod! Paul will help you catch grasshoppers! You can be sure his rod will be on board!  After one of Aunty Kay’s famous dinners we can discuss theories on the ‘who dun nit’ murders….

Onwards and upwards out of the Wonnangatta Valley where we will spend our final night on the west branch of the Buffalo river. We will then ride the horses to the awaiting trucks where they will head home we will eat lunch with an entrée of mountain trout!  We will then drive home via Whitfield where we will stop off for a cold beer!

It really doesn’t get any better than this, beautiful meals, hot showers, great horse riding!

BUCKLE UP AND ENJOY THE RIDE!

HOWITT HUT
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5 & 6 Day Craig’s Hut / Man from Snowy River High Country Ride

The horses are trucked to Mt Stirling and saddled by our staff whilst our guests are transported by vehicle. We make our way, meandering through Mountain Ash along the snow trails and over the top of Mt Stirling, onto the Clear Hills track before arriving and being taken aback by the picturesque 360-degree mountain views from Craig’s Hut as seen in the Man from Snowy River movies.  Here we can take some photos, before heading down the other side of Mt Sterling passing Bindaree Falls and onto Bindaree Hut on the banks of the Howqua River. 

We then make our ascent back into the High Country climbing up through the mountain ash gums, underneath the Bluff and onto the Bluff hut.  This hut was the cattle hut of the Stoney family.  Continuing along the top and around the south side of Mt Lovick which was named in honour of Paul’s great great Uncle Frank Lovick.  The views from here are spectacular! 

We will then ride around the face of Mt Lovick named in honour of Paul’s great Uncle Frank where you will see magnificent views before making our way to Lovick’s Hut for a night around the campfire.

Lovick’s Hut is nestled in a little saddle between Mt Lovick and the King Billy’s.  This hut was originally built by Paul’s grandfather Jack Lovick back in the 1960’s it has since been rebuilt by the Lovick family and friends. 

We will ride out for the day and take in the sights from the Snowy River movies such as Helicopter Spur, Picture Point and the famous King Billy tree.   We then head bavk down to Lovick’s Hut where we will be preparing a beautiful  roast dinner.

On leaving Lovick’s Hut we ride back down into the Howqua Valley and follow the course of the magnificent Howqua River along the river tracks and back onto Sheepyard flats.  

And of course, the Merrijig pub for dinner where you can relax and reminisce on all of the wonderful sights, sounds and stories after your 6 days of adventure…….

These ride offers so much…. the views across the Great Dividing Range, majestic Mountain Ash, Snow Gums and native wildlife, through to ever changing river crossings that cut their paths from the spectacular mountains into the rolling hills and along the farming flats of the Valleys.

What more could you want, hot shower?  Great meals, fantastic horses and awesome company!

BUCKLE UP!

Craig’s Hut Howqua River ride

Days: 4 to 6 day rides dependent on number of days on Schedule.

Craig’s Hut rides are also available on request with a minimum number of 8 riders.

The horses are trucked to Mt Stirling and saddled by our staff whilst our guests are transported by vehicle. We make our way, meandering through Mountain Ash (Woollybutts) along the snow trails and over the top of Mt Stirling, onto the Clear Hills track before arriving and being taken aback by the picturesque 360-degree mountain views from Craig’s Hut as seen in the Man from Snowy River movies.  We get back in the saddle and make our way thru the twisted snow gums back down on to the head waters of the Howqua River passing Bindaree Falls. We then continue down to the mighty Howqua river where we set up camp under the stars.  For those that like to fish feel free to pack the fishing rod, Paul will show you where to catch a trout or two!

There will be many river crossings and sections of the High Track with amazing views looking down onto the river, continuing down river to the famous Sheepyard and Fry’s flat camping out again on the banks of the Howqua River.

After packing up camp we head up and out of the Howqua valley passing through Timbertop Saddle and along Three Chain track to the old stock routes and into the beautiful Delatite and Boorolite Valleys and homeward bound.

This ride offers so much…. the  views across the Great Dividing Range, majestic Mountain Ash, Snow Gums and native wildlife, through to ever changing river crossings that cut their paths from the spectacular mountains into the rolling hills and along the farming flats of the Valleys.

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Craigs Hut
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PLEASE NOTE

A deposit of $500 is due on booking. Your booking cannot be reserved until deposits are paid.
Places are limited and will be filled on a “first in, first served basis”
Balance needs to be paid in full, one month prior to departure.

Cancellations

We understand circumstances can change unavoidably therefore deposits and final payments will be transferred to alternate trip dates with no penalty if formal cancellation is made ONE month prior to tour departure.

  • 100% of payment will be retained and not transferred to alternate dates if cancellation is made ONE month out from tour departure.
  • TRAVEL INSURANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED