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Reviews - Trekking |
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The Articles |
Muriwai Beach Riding Centre |
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Address: 290 Oaia Rd, Muriwai Beach, Auckland
Take Muriwai Rd turnoff from State Highway 16. Oaia
Rd is on the left approx 5 mins prior to reaching Muriwai Beach
township. Riders must arrive 30 minutes prior to scheduled trek,
as the trek actually departs from the Woodhill Horse Park approx 5-7
mins drive from the Riding Centre. Note: some
maps mark the road to Woodhill Horse Park as '4WD only" this is not
correct - it is unsealed for a couple of hundred metres but any vehicle
is fine, this is the road that gives 4WD access to the beach (which is
for 4WDs only).
Phone Number: +649 411 8480 Phone bookings are
essential (although you may only need to phone a few hours before
depending on bookings) Excellent, friendly phone service.
Price(s)/Ride Reviewed: (April
2000, updated after a second ride May 2000)
$60 pp/2 hour forest and beach trek. Credit cards
accepted, NO EFTPOS.
Treks leave Muriwai Horse Park @ 10.00am and 1.30pm each
day except Mondays. You need to arrive at the Riding Centre 30
mins beforehand to pay, and then get a lift in the truck or drive down
to the Horse park. Groups are limited to 5 (although there may be
several guides from the centre as well)
Horses: When booking your
trek you will be asked for your height and riding experience to match
you to an appropriate horse. The beach leg at the end of the ride
is excellent if you aren't a confident rider and want to try a nice trot
or canter. In groups of more experienced riders you'll usually get
plenty of opportunities to canter in both the sand dunes and forest
tracks and down on the beach.
Like many trekking horses, some were quite hard to hold
back from the group if you wanted to drop behind in order to go at a
faster pace. Once let go, these horses will run, so if you're
after a gentle trot or canter, wait until you are in an area where you
can see the group ahead and be prepared to keep a strong hold for a
slower pace, or alternately ask if you can ride on ahead. However
apart from this fairly common trait they were fairly responsive to aids,
well mannered and sensible, the first time riders in the group had no
problems at all with their mounts on a loose rein.
Equipment: Riding helmets and half-chaps
were provided to everyone and gloves were supplied to anyone who wanted
them. The gloves are recommended to first time or infrequent
riders. All horses kept their halters and lead ropes on (lead
ropes were slipped safely around the horse's neck). Raincoats are
available in wet weather and a cold drink and water to wash up are
provided at the end of each ride.
Mounting: Mounting the horses is made easy for all by using the tailgate of the horse truck. Guide(s): Depending on the number in your group you will have either one or two mounted guides. The trek guide on our outing was careful to make sure that first time riders in the group were coping with the ride and make sure that everyone was happy. This is dependent upon the guide though. Always be prepared to use your own judgement about what you are prepared to do, and be assertive if you feel you are being pushed into doing things with the group that are out of your comfort zone.
Scenery / Trails: I have to
admit that I got a little bored with the forest after about 30 mins on
my first ride, with a group of riders who wished to stick to the walk,
the pine forest can become a little disorienting after a while and there
is usually only room to travel nose-to-tail. However, if you can
join onto a ride where the rest of the group are of a similar riding
level or there are sufficient guides to split into different groups its
much more fun. The trails include small log jumps if you're up to
that sort of thing.
The long beach rides at either end of the trek are
fantastic. The big breakers of Muriwai beach and the long expanses
of black sands make for spectacular riding! This ride does change
with the guide, the riders and the available entry points from the beach
into the forest. The tide dictates how much beach ride you get, at high
tide the water now comes right up to the dunes so if you want to ride
along the beach, ask about the tides before you book.
General Comments: Overall a
good trek, the people are experienced, friendly and keen to make sure
that all levels of riders enjoyed the experience. The beach is really
the star here. some of the horses can be a little to 'trek bound',
although they are all well behaved, reliable, follow instructions from
the group leader (verbal) and you can have a great time. You may
need to be assertive on this trek if you are a less than competant
rider, to make sure that you aren't pushed into doing something out of
your league, although absolute beginners will have no problems at all.
If you're a fan of Xena or Hercules, you can pretend
you're in your favourite scene. Muriwai and the Woodhill forest
were used for many scenes and Dean & Co can tell you about some of the
work they've done with the shows.
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