Gold Coast Horse Riding

Looking to get a little horse crazy? Even if you've never been on a horse before, getting introductory lessons or trail riding through the Australian bush is something you will never forget. 

When they think of the Gold Coast, most people picture golden beaches and exciting nightlife, however, tucked in behind all this is a veritable treasure trove of gorgeous mountain scenery and amazing landmarks. Experience the Gold Coast hinterland by horseback and you will never forget it. The gentle motion of the horse, the steady clip-clop of their sure feet on the land and the sense of comradeship with your fellow riders are all things you will remember long after the experience is over.

Mount Tamborine offers some great horse riding experiences on beautiful horses through spectacular rainforest and mountain trails, at Thunderbird Park through Tamborine Mountain Trail rides.

Friendly and experienced riders guide groups of between 2-10 people through rides in a safe environment ranging from half an hour to one and a half hours at reasonable prices with special group discounts for families. For more Gold Coast horse-related ideas, check out the great options below.

Horse Riding Lessons

Bonogin Valley Horse Retreat

Don't miss their tailored beginner education, offering all the benefits of horse riding like improved confidence and social skills. Explore Bonogin Valley Horse Retreat and reach your horse riding goals – from basic horse riding skills to advanced lessons.

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Gold Coast Equestrian Centre

Capture memories with photo opportunities and experience the serenity of riding alongside the creek. In favourable conditions, you might even enjoy a splash in the Coomera River. Rainy weather won't dampen the fun – you'll have a professionally guided horse riding lesson in our covered equestrian arena. Rain or shine, it's a unique and value-packed experience that connects you with nature and our magnificent horses.

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Red Gum Riding

The facility boasts a safe fenced riding area, stables, and four spacious paddocks for the horses to roam and graze.The owner of Red Gum Riding is deeply passionate about horses. Drawing from personal experience, she strongly believes that being around horses can benefit children with special needs, helping them improve communication skills and strengthen core muscles.

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Gold Coast Horse Experiences

• Horsedrawn Winery and Brewery Tour

  While it's not technically horse riding, we had to include the incredible Shire Horse Farm + Cobb & Co Tour of the Scenic Rim because there's nothing else like it on the Gold Coast! Taking you to a number of the region's best breweries and wineries by horse-drawn carriage, you'll get to travel in style and enjoy some wine and beer tasting, cheese platter, a la carte lunch and afternoon tea at the various stops along the way. 4.5 hour tour in total that's not to be missed!

• Paradise Country Pony Rides

  At Paradise Country, they offer pony rides specially made for the youngest adventurers who aren't quite ready to ride horses on their own. This fun experience is just right for the little ones in your family. Remember, kids need to be 130cm tall or shorter and weigh a maximum of 50kg to join in. You'll find the pony area right behind the shearing shed, adding to the farm-style excitement for kids visiting Paradise Country. Although pony rides cost extra on top of the entry fee, it's totally worth it to create unforgettable memories with your little riders. So, bring the kids along, and don't forget your camera to capture these magical moments!

• Australian Outback Spectacular

  At the Australian Outback Spectacular, you won't ride the horses, but it's an awesome experience for horse lovers! You'll enjoy a fantastic night filled with entertainment, a tasty three-course meal, and drinks that you'll love. The show happens in a super cool arena. They use fancy technology to make it feel like you're in different parts of Australia. The show features cows, sheep, cattle dogs, and, most importantly, horses! These horses are the real stars. Alongside talented riders, cowboys, cowgirls, and actors, they share true stories about life in the outback and on farms.

Images courtesy Tourism & Events Queensland, Tourism Australia, Destination Gold Coast & Getty Images