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Horse Riding Gold Coast for Kids

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Horse riding gold coast

Nursery rhymes, games, songs, stories … before we’ve even laid eyes on a horse or a pony our childhood is full of the promise of fun and adventure in the saddle. Is it any wonder most kids get a little horse excitable at some stage in their life?

Horse riding Gold Coast for kids

Even if they’ve only ever galloped around the kitchen on a broom there’s plenty of reasons to encourage them to try the rewarding experience that is horse riding:

  • Fun and fitness
  • Co-ordination and balance skills
  • Social skills and communication
  • Getting unplugged and outdoors
  • Confidence … and that’s just for starters

Fortunately, right on our door-step on the Gold Coast is some of the most exciting and safe horse riding adventures for all levels of experience.

Dedicated horse lovers are more than happy to share the joy they’ve found by offering an entire range of horse experiences from parent-led pony rides, pony parties, trail rides, lessons right through to incredible beach rides and, of course – for the more dedicated horse enthusiast: Pony clubs.

So not sure where can you saddle-up? Never fear, we’ve compiled the definitive list for horse riding adventure on the Gold Coast and surrounds …

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Horse Riding Gold Coast

Here is a list of where you can go horse riding right here on the Gold Coast.

Arundel Park Riding for the Disabled

Not-for-profit community organisation that provides equestrian activities for people with a disability – a limited number of places for able bodied riders are available.

  • P: 07 5594 0305
  • E: arundelpark_rda@iprimus.com.au

Bestbrook Mountain Resort

Maryvale QLD 4370

Horse rides for beginners to experienced, riding lessons, trail rides, Parent led horse rides and the farm stay activities.

  • P: 07 4666 1282
  • E: bestbrook@bestbrook.com.au

Bonogin Valley Horse Retreat

Bonogin QLD 4213

Trail rides and horse riding lessons for all ages and abilities, including popular school holiday programs.

  • P: 07 5667 7468.
  • E: info@horseretreats.com

Cedar Glen Farm Stay

Beaudesert QLD 4285

Lessons, trail rides and short led pony rides exploring the beauty of Cedar Glen.

  • P: 07 5544 8170
  • E: info@cedarglen.com.au

Chevalier Lodge Farm

Guanaba QLD 4210

Horse riding lessons, kids parties plus horse/pony rides, animal petting and feeding, pony grooming, cuddling the chickens, fun farm games, hayrides, around the farm and more. ‘Party Ponies’ can come to you.

  • P: 0418 750776
  • E: fionaw@winshop.com.au

Coolbadah Equestrian Centre

Beaudesert QLD 4285

Horse riding, trail riding, pony parties, lessons, Saturday horse experience amongst 80 acres of lovely pasture.

  • P: 0421 364 264
  • E: info@coolbadahec.com.au

Gold Coast Equestrian Centre

Trail rides, private lessons, group lessons, kids parties and school holiday programs.

  • P: (07) 55 33 20 84
  • E: gcequestinfo@gmail.com

Gold Coast Horse Riding

Clagiraba QLD 4211

Open 7 days a week for trail riding, horse riding lessons, birthday parties, adventure activities and more horse riding related activities.

  • P: 1300 313 520
  • E: kristina@gchorseriding.com.au

Gummies Farm

Canungra QLD 4275

Get an authentic experience of farm life and then some with Gummies Farm Tours. Set amongst rolling hills with the enchanting Biddaddaba Creek running through it, this picturesque spot spans 140 gorgeous acres and is more than perfect for a family day out. Get first-hand experience feeding the animals and delight in a horse ride through the naturally beautiful setting. How’s the serenity, hey?

DEAL ALERT: Horse riding on the Gold Coast for kids at discounted prices – *click here.

  • P: (07) 5543 0191

Horse Riding Queensland

Alberton, QLD 4207

Trail rides and lessons for all levels. Children under 10 years of age may be accepted. Additional conditions and charges apply.

  • P: 0401 459 827
  • E: info@horseridingqld.com.au

Red Gum Riding

Mudgeeraba QLD 4213

Classes for all ability levels but specialising in classes for beginners, children and those interested in development through equine influence.

  • P: 0420 745 488
  • E: info@redgumriding.com.au

Thunderbird Trail Rides

Tamborine Mountain Rd, Queensland 4272

Thunderbird Park Trail Rides offers a range of options for children and adults to enjoy a safe and enjoyable experience. There is a ride to suit everyone from first time to experienced riders.

  • P: 07 5545 1468
  • E: jos.ark@outlook.com.au

Turtle Creek Horse Riding

Clagiraba QLD 4211

Experienced riders only. Ride through the beautiful Australian Hinterland to see the spectacular views of the Gold Coast.

  • P: 0412 663 013
  • E: meleita@hotmail.com

Numinbah Valley Adventure Trails (no longer offers horse riding)

Numbinbah Valley QLD 4211

Trail rides, horse rides for all ages and abilities. Located in the beautiful Numinbah Valley, just 45 minutes from Surfers Paradise.

  • P: 07 5533 4137
  • E: ride@numinbahtrails.com

Horse Riding Tweed Shire:

Pirouette Equestrian Park

Clothiers Creek NSW 2484

Experience the benefits of personalised horse riding coaching and agistment facilities in a beautiful, natural setting. Ideally based close to Murwillumbah in the Tweed Valley and Lismore.

  • P: (02) 6677 7472
  • E: nsbrowne@iinet.net.au

Horse Riding Byron Bay Shire

Byron Equestrian Centre

Byron Bay NSW 2481
Heaps of horsey fun, including: horse riding, learning how to care for a horse and the fun team sport of Vaulting (gymnastics on horseback).

  • P: 0468 41 HORSE (4677)
  • E: manager@byronbayequestriancentre.com

Horseshoe Park Pony Rides

Kyogle NSW 2474
Onsite services include trail rides, pony parties, pony facilitated activities, and riding lessons for beginners to intermediate levels, and interactive programs for schools, children/adults with additional needs, aged care residents.

  • P: 02 6633 1521
  • E: info@horseshoeparkponyrides.com

Pegasus Park Equestrian Centre and Accommodation

Bangalow NSW 2479

Horse riding activities catering to all ages and abilities. Kids saddle club classes, and pony rides catering to children as young as two-years-old. Lessons, trail rides and beach rides available.

  • P: (02) 6687 1446
  • E: ramona@pegasuspark.com.au

Seahorses Riding Centre

Byron Bay NSW 2481

Catering for all riders ranging from the tiny tots, novices to the more experienced. Trail rides, beach rides, lessons and pony parties available.

  • P: 0404 198 220
  • E: byronbayseahorses@yahoo.com

Tassiriki Ranch Beach Horse Riding & Holiday Cabins

Empire Vale NSW 2478

Accredited horse riding activities suitable for nervous beginners through to intermediate riders. Activities include beach trail rides, horse awareness and riding lessons, as well as safe led pony rides for younger children.

  • P: 02 6683-4602
  • E: sales@beachhorseriding.com.au
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And there’s always pony clubs around the Gold Coast

Pony clubs are not for one-off horse riding lessons. Most clubs require members to have their own horse (owned, leased or borrowed). However, you may find a small number of clubs running what is called a ‘Riders Without Horses’ or ‘Non Owners’ program, which is set up to accommodate young riders who do not have their own horses. The focus at Pony club is not always riding, horse care and spending time with other kids who like horses is high on the agenda at most Pony clubs.

The governing body for Pony Club in Queensland is The Pony Club Association of Queensland. Website: pcaq.asn.au.

The governing body for Pony Club in NSW is The Pony Club Association of NSW. Website: pcansw.org.au

Please contact the clubs listed below for more information on specific clubs.

Gold Coast Pony Clubs

Beaudesert Pony Club

Canungra Pony Club

Cedar Creek Pony Club

Greenbank Pony Club

Jimboomba Pony Club

Kooralbyn Pony Club

Mudgeeraba Pony Club

Nerang Pony Club

Oxenford Pony Club

  • President: Russell Lynch
  • Secretary: Cindy Miller
  • Ph: 0452 07 6011
  • Email: oxenford@pcaq.asn.au
  • Website: oxenfordponyclub.net/

Rathdowney Pony Club

Southport Pony Club

Tallebudgera Pony Club

Tamborine Pony Club

Tweed Shire Pony clubs:

Tweed Heads Pony Club

  • President: Lindy Smith
  • Secretary: Toni Tansey
  • Ph: 0415 453 959
  • Email: ttansey4@gmail.com

Murwillumbah Pony Club

Cabarita Pony Club

Byron Shire Pony Clubs:

Mullumbimby Pony Club

Kyogle Pony Club

Brunswick Valley Pony Club

Bangalow Pony Club

Channon Dunoon Pony Club

How did we go? Did we miss any? if you’ve had a great experience of Gold Coast horse riding, please let us know so we can check it out too. And don’t forget, if you head out for a lesson or a trail ride make sure you use #fmgc and #familiesmagazine so we can follow along too.

Giddy up!

Photo of author

Janine Mergler

Janine Mergler is a veteran Queensland teacher, graduating from QUT with a BEd majoring in Social Sciences. After many years in the classroom, Janine moved on to academia. She has proudly trained new generations of teachers in her role as a lecturer at Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Education. She has also worked in the Queensland Government as an education specialist, developing education resources and delivering community awareness programs to help families conserve water. Currently she is the owner and editor of Families Magazine, a publication specifically targeted at parents who value a quality education for children.  Janine leads a team of professionals who write about family lifestyle, early childhood, schools and education information and family-friendly events.

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