Having a Blazing Good Time - ATV & Horseriding
It started out with an idea to play in the mud as big kids do and to ride a horse! On a fine Saturday approx 3 weeks ago, I was collected at 8am by Annie my host from Blazing Saddles. As I was the only person to be collected from the Northern Beaches that morning, Annie let me on a little known secret that we are to stop at Trinity Beach Meats to collect the hamburgers for lunch - more about this later.
We arrived at Blazing Saddles at approx 8:30 am, on arrival I signed myself into the Visitors register, paid my $12 insurance levy and completed the necessary paperwork. Then I was advised to help myself to a complimentary beverage of coffee!
Around 9 am the remaining adventure seekers and my self were fitted with our helmets & made sure we have suitably enclosed shoes. One fellow only had thongs so he was given gum boots to wear! Appropriate footwear on we were then lead over to the ATV (quad bike) area. Here we were met by our ever jovial safety orientated hosts Mariah & Texas. It was a bit daunting at first to be getting on an ATV for the first time. However Texas gave us a thorough run down on these big boys toys (suitable for teens as well under his instruction of course.) At exactly 9:20 am we were off in our group of seven to the training tracks, surrounded by rubber tyres and mini jumps etc. This obstacle course has been designed so you can become 1 with your ATV and have time to practice your driving skills.
At approx 9:45am we then started on a 2 hour journey over the fantastic 1200 hectare property that is Blazing Saddles. In the first stage for approx 20 mins we all rode along together, both Mariah & Texas both check your level of confidence and ability to ride the ATV, then the group is split in two with the more confident riders going with Texas into the deeper wilderness of the property. After a further 20 mins of honing my ATV riding skills we stopped for a rest and much needed drink of water to wash the dirt/dust off our teeth. After a short break as we continued our ride I was to join Texas in the more advanced riding group.
During this adventure I got bogged in creeks twice and by the third bogging I was experienced enough to get myself out of trouble, I also became separated from the group at one stage as I was left in wake of their dust, so for approx 5 mins, I was lost in the depths of the vast property. In my wisdom I turned around and back tracked however still managed to drive over the top of a small termite mound and took the top off it. I can see why the ATV’s are fitted with a bull bar!
At approx 11:45am we returned to base camp & parked the ATV’s and headed to the shed to wash up & then be served a buffet barbecue lunch with the best juicy burgers. Well worth the wait after a full throttle morning.
After lunch at 12:30 it was off to be saddled up, for our 2 hour horse ride. My guide this time were Abigail & Alison, these ladies both love working with horses & are very passionate about what they do. They guide you in the correct ways of handling and riding horses. On this occasion I had not sat on a horse since I was 8 yrs old. So I did not have a lot of confidence. However after riding Wattle (my horse) for 15 minutes it all came back and I felt really confident. By the end of the afternoon I felt I could see no problems in getting on a horse next time and go for a more advanced riding experience. At one stage wattle insisted in standing in the creek and not moving. After a quick chat with her we were on our way once again. Remember you will get dusty dirty & wet on these activities!! Both activities are must do when visiting the Cairns region. This is a perfect start or finish to your day & you can add Hot Air Ballooning to you adventure in the morning or also combine either ATV or Horse Riding with the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail.
Lachie
The Tour Specialists Palm Cove.