Spring is a little late in the High Country as the winter snow drifts cling to the south side slopes, covering the diverse alpine flora with an iced memory of the Winter before. The warming months of November and December in the High Country is something not to miss; open plains of flowering mint bush, the newly formed spheres of billy buttons, an early everlasting and the delicate lavender colour of the Bogong Daisy unique to this Alpine National Park. Offering a chance to explore the unique and diverse Alpine ecology of the High Country.
Visiting spectacular mountain tops, wild rivers, historic huts and secluded camps this expedition will inspire and refresh. A mountain of experiences jammed into four days, riding the best of the High Country. Ride across Pretty Valley and the sweet pastures of the Bogong brumbies. Canter to the top of Mount Fainter with spectacular views of Mount Feathertop across the deep cut of the West Kiewa river and on to camp at Bogong Jack’s hideout. The expedition descends back into the 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 honored 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 expedition (King/Twin-share)
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 on tour
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 Dungeys Track to camp on the second crossing flats.
B L D - Camping
Day 3
Follow the historic gold mining tracks blazed into the mountainside during the 19th-century gold rush, find a little colour in the gold pan in camp at Swindlers Creek.
B L D - Camping
Day 4
Continue along the heritage hand-cut Dungeys Track to the junction of the Cobungra River, ride up Pailing Spur and through the hidden plains of Yongs tops to camp overlooking the Gippsland side of the Alpine National Park wilderness.
Day 5
cross the High Plains near Mount Jim via a resupply at Pretty Valley. 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.
B
Kath and Steve Baird settled in Tawonga with their two young boys Lin and Clay in 1986. They arrived with a truck load of horses and a vision for a family business that would honour the traditions of the High Country horse and offer unique quality visitor experiences. That vision still drives this family business. Spring Spur is truly the home of Bogong Horseback Adventures, the Baird family sanctuary, and for the visitor, a country home away from home.
