The Great Northern Coast to Coast

Midday pick up from Auckland City, traveling by shuttle bus to Pakiri Beach at around 2:30pm. Once settled we start our introductory ride along the beach to get to know your horse. After an exciting half day ride we go back to base, have dinner with the hosts Sharley and Laly Haddon and then  be taken to your accommodation in the private beach house. (Approx 2-3 hours riding or 5 - 6 hours if we ride to the Leigh Marae)

If there is a large group of 6 or more riders they may be able to offer you the cultural experience of a welcome and visit to their local Maori marae, where you can meet their people, share stories and legends with them and perhaps stay over sleeping on mattresses on the floor as is traditional.

After a fulfilling breakfast we will depart for a full days ride along the rolling surf on the unpopulated beaches, through dunes and high above the sea over Te Arai Point looking out to the sea and the breath taking views of the islands afar. We may stop for lunch by the fresh water Tomarata lakes in the pine forest or at the Te Arai beach. You'll ride through ancient Pohutukawa groves where in Summer these trees (or New Zealand Christmas tree's) are ablaze with red flowers. And along a native bush track where you can see the southern most palm the Nikau. (Approx 6 hours riding)

Today's ride shares with you the lands of the Ngati Wai an ancient seafaring Maori tribe who first discovered this land after following the call of the whales through the Pacific.

Overnight in beach house at Pakiri

Explore and discover New Zealand's farmland in the North through native rainforest. You will follow an old kauri logging track through Whangaripo Valley to the top of the Matakana Hill and pass through beef cattle and sheep farms. We stay at a home stay "on top of the world" high above the valley and at the source of the Hoteo River, the lodge which we stay in is part of a bird sanctuary where you will meet rescued birds of all types and enjoy wonderful vegetarian food with hosts Shaun and Michael as well as a nice hot spa afterwards.

We may change this route if conditions are unfavourable. (Approx 6 hours riding)

For the early birds we may be able to visit the Matakana Farmers Market before setting off on our ride for the day, so don't forget to bring pocket money to try some of the yummy natural products for sale.

A leisurely ride through the Dome State forest - a pine forest and some native bush following logging roads to Spring Hill Stud Farm, where we'll ride through beautiful scenic farmland and settle for a visit to a rural town bar El Tapora in Wellsford for dinner (your expense) After a hearty dinner we return to our accommodation with Jeannie and her dog "PockeT" at her lovely little home in Wellsford or we will dine with Jeannie and enjoy her company.

If we have a large group and therefore not able to stay with Jeannie, we will stay at a motel or if the group prefer we can camp in a real working wool shed, sheep smells and all! (Approx 5 hours riding)

Note: If weather conditions or logging activities are unfavourable and render this ride unsafe we may need to do an alternative route.

Today we depart Spring Hill Farm and following the Hoteo River towards the Kaipara State Forest, where we follow logging tracks which wind through the pine tree's stopping for lunch by the pretty Awarere waterfall. For those who want to swim and cool off in the clear water pool are welcome, make sure you have your camera's on you!

We continue on through further pine forest and meet some local people on the way towards once an important small village in Kaipara Flats for our overnight stay with Colin and Vicki at Willow Lodge where we enjoy a BBQ meal. (Approx 5-6 hours riding)

An early start today riding over four beautiful hill country sheep and cattle farms enjoying spectacular views over to both coasts. On our way will we pass an old "wim" used in the pioneer days to haul logs. Stopping for lunch at a secret hidden waterfall, here those who wish to swim can in the pool beneath the falling water. We follow the Hoteo River towards the west after lunch.

We then ride over the sister mountain to Mt. Auckland, Mt. Taranaki along a dirt road through rugged hills with perfect views to the West Coast over Kaipara Harbour; New Zealands largest water mass that also boasts the most treacherous bar to its entry. Not only that it is also the largest water mass in the Southern Hemisphere and the 2nd largest on the globe! (Approx 7 hours riding)

We finish the day dining and staying with Jenny Hood at her charming lodge Mataia (a historic house built in the villa style of the last century)

We load the horses on the truck and drive a short distance to Helensville stopping at the Arts Cafe for an espresso for those who are needing a coffee hit. We ride through the Woodhill Forest where you may see fallow deer or wild pig as you ride towards to Muriwai beach, you are now in the west coast, with its black sand and wild seas so different from the East coast. We gallop down the beach and have lunch in the forest with a ride back into the pines along forest tracks to the truck and say goodbye to your beloved horse. (approx 4-5 hours riding)

Once back we transfer on towards Auckland by shuttle or you may prefer to return with the horse truck to Pakiri stopping on the way for a quick beer at the Kaukapakapa Pub and at Wellsford for your last dinner with your hosts.