king island trail rides

My husband surprised me for my 50th birthday -King Island Trail rides' four day odyssey ride with some friends. This was a dream come true and would have to be the best beach ride available in the world. Pristine wild beaches, rocky outcrops and quaint little coves, rolling grassy sand dunes supporting mutton bird nests, numerous wallabies, sea birds and the famous King Island beef. Everywhere you looked was a post card and by horse we travelled most of the west coast, part of the old stock route and northern east coast. At the end of each day we were treated to the finest King Island produce, including a magnificent six course seafood meal all by a campfire overlooking the sea. If you love to ride, gather some riding friends and book this trip- a must for the bucket list!

My family and I enjoyed a wonderful horse ride along the beautiful beaches of King Island. Mike and Liz were wonderful guides and, even without a lot of experience riding, we all felt very comfortable, although a bit sore the next day! It was the best way to explore the beautiful coastline of King Island.

I went on a 3 hour trail ride last Sunday with my 15 year old son and husband. We absolutely loved it. The horses are beautifully cared for and the owners were so kind and helpful. We suggested the ride to others in our group and they went later in the week. They raved about the ride as well. The scenery is so beautiful. It was my favorite activity on King Island. I wish we had the time to go back for another ride.

I am a resident on King island and given a gift voucher for a King island trail ride. Just a short drive out of the seaside township of Currie will see you arrive at King Island trail ride tack room and mounting yard. Its not long before you realise that Mick and Eliza Williams run a well organised eco tourism experience. One could say " a doubled edged sword". Experienced, calm and reassuring, just like their horses. Saddles on, helmets fitted , stirrups lengthened. The 6 of us are on our way. The coastal scrub hugs our guided tour with the sounds of the bush , whistling thrushes and the cry of wattle birds The splashes of colour from the blue wrens against the green bush Starting to set our canvas for what lies ahead . Our guides explaining the fauna and flora along the way. On to the top of a primary dune, the mutton birds story unfolds, left and right of our track and Mick contiues to sketch our convas with the story of our coastline with the entrenched history that has helped shape our islands lifestyle and its industries. Onwards to pistine sweeping beaches. Where Eliza picked up from Mick and told the visitors about our seaweed industry that is harvested on a incoming tide, A great way to view the shorebirds that seem at ease witth us on horseback passing them by. Rudy turnstones, pacific gulls, pied oyster catchers going about the daily duties. Mother nature once again revealed herself in another form , exposed the bones of a giant whale. Mick explained that it is not always visable he explained that the beach is ever changing. Onwards to the monument where it was explained to us all about the son of William Dalzeil and 78 others lost their lives in 1874. Without revealing the rest of my journey I can only hope that you the visitor to King Island will also pick up the reins and enjoy this worthwhile experience As I will be back to do another one of their rides.. Thanks Mick and Eliza for a great morning Ian @ Grassy

Had a great half day ride with mick & Eliza. Very grateful they were still happy to take us out on Easter Sunday (also Mick's birthday)! Both Bailey & Africa were great horses, we both felt very confident & safe as we both had little riding Experiance.The half day ride took us through scrub trails, through a mutton bird nesting area, over sand dunes, along the beach & finished on top of a great lookout on mick & Elisa's property before heading back.Hope you had a great birthday BBQ Mick!!We will be back with friends/ family next time & will book in the full day trip. Dave & Kasey

We had a great time on our full day ride with King Island Trail Rides. It was the 2nd time my husband had ever been on a horse and now he wants to move to King Island and talk Liz and Michael into selling us Mack (I would be very happy if Liz would also be willing to part with Bailey but somehow I doubt even her incredible generosity would run this far, he is just too beautiful to give up!). This was the second day of our trip and it set the tone for a fun, relaxing island adventure. I really recommend this for every visitor to the Island, you will be made to feel like a local and will get to see parts of the Island you can't really get to any other way. We felt safe on Mack and Bailey, who both went out of their way to charm us and of course we can't thank Liz and Michael enough.

I had friends over from the mainland and this was a great way to show off king island and the fantastic people who live here. Mick and Eliza made us feel safe and confident despite two of us being novices. Would definitely do this again when we have family come to stay.

We spent an awesome 3 hours with our hosts, Mick and Eliza, and our horses, Mack and Bailey. My wife had some childhood lessons under her belt but it was my first time on any kind of four-legged animal. There was no need to worry as Mick and Eliza seem to have suitable horses for riders of any kind of experience. They were patient and kind when explaining the best way to hold one's reins or how to persuade one's horse back onto the trail! The ride was amazing, the views of the sea along the beach were simply immense and it was a great way to explore the island with knowledgeable and friendly locals. All in all, a perfect way to spend the morning of our 5th wedding anniversary!

We were on King Island for yet another trip when we decided to trade doing the walking ourselves for the energy and enthusiasm of some really great horses. My motorbiking other half finally saw the advantage of horses in the natural environment as we tackled narrow tracks, really soft sand and rolling waves along a majectic and stunning piece of coastland. As with all King Island activities, we reaped the benefit of the quiet winter season and had the undivided attention of our great guides Michael and Liz as we were only a group of four. We took the more adventurous three hour ride, for which you needed some measure of experience, but we were well supervised, supported and the horses were absolutely lovely. The ride included the opportunity for a bit of speed for those up to it! The saddles and riding equipment were great quality, and the tack shed was a work of art in organisation. Highly recommended.

These people really love their horses and care about you and how you ride! I had never ridden before and I was more than a little trepidatious, however I felt completely safe in their hands. The ride itself is so beautiful and for higher levels of rider there are options to enjoy the wilder (read - more than a walk!) side of horses! You will love this experience.

This was an excellent way to while away a few hours and see some of the lesser visited spots on King Island. Mick and Eliza were fantastic hosts who made us all feel welcome and safe. I've not been on a horse for 35 odd years whereas two of the others on the same ride were very experienced. They also helped my eleven year old niece to overcome her nerves and left her feeling safe and secure. We only did the short trip but next time we're hoping to go a bit further and spend more time on the well chosen horses. Mick's also planning to do some overnight trips which will cover most of the east coast and will really be an experience to write home about. 100 % recommended with no hesitation.