It’s finally happening! Today you get to say ‘Kia Ora’ to the guides and horses who will take you along the North Island’s spectacular coastline! Your guide, Jane Kennedy, will pick you up from your accommodation in Paihia and bring you to her home property, where you will have morning tea and a chat as you get to know your hosts and fellow guests. You’ll then be introduced to the superb string of guest horses and paired with your equine partner for the week, based on your riding ability and size.

To help you get to know each other in a fun and stress-free environment, you’ll begin in the arena, where Jane will lead a mini-clinic to boost your confidence and get you feeling comfortable. Then you’ll ride out over the farm, through spectacular native bush, along an historic road cut by British Soldiers in 1845 during the New Zealand Wars, and finally to the awe-inspiring, massive, ancient Kauri trees (prepare to be impressed, globetrotters).

Coming back to the farm, you’ll have a late lunch then pack up and head to Henderson Bay. You’ll be driving up the scenic east coast, where you’ll gasp at the stunning scenery of Doubtless Bay. There’s an unmissable pit-stop at an iconic ice cream shop (included in the ride price), which sits near the beautiful pink sands of Cable Bay. Finally, you’ll reach the beach cabins at Jane’s spectacular Henderson Bay property, which you’ll call home for the remainder of your trip.

This morning you get to rest your riding muscles as you enjoy the best of the local sightseeing. Your guides will drive you up to Cape Reinga, where you can observe the ‘Columbian Bank’ where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea. You’ll see the spectacular Cape Maria van Diemen and the incredible, snow white sands of the Parengarenga Harbour. You’ll enjoy a leisurely swim at the beautiful Tapotupotu Bay, and if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can hire a boogie board (included in the ride price) and surf down the giant Te Paki sand dunes! Or, if you prefer, you can sleep in and spend the morning on the beach with a good book.

Later in the day, you’ll mount up and head out from Jane’s property onto Henderson Bay. Along the way, Jane will point out the remnants of the 32-metre-high tsunami that made landfall in the 1400s. Reaching the bay, you and your forward-moving horse will walk, trot and canter over the pink sand beach while absorbing the breathtaking, sprawling sand dunes. Jane will time the ride so that the tides allow you to swim the horses bareback in the ocean, if you’d like! It’s a glorious ride of windswept canters and playing in the salty waves.

TODAY is the day. The first of your wild horse rides is scheduled for this morning – after another filling breakfast, of course. Trucking the horses out to the west coast, you’ll ride through forestry, tussocks, sand dunes, and the wild 90 Mile Beach, where you’ll stalk herds of wild horses. Oh, and the BEST part: not a gate to be seen! With lunches packed in your saddle bags, you get to enjoy a full day in the saddle. You’ll dismount by a water hole for lunch, hopefully observing a mob of wild horses interacting with each other nearby.

Today’s ride is jam-packed full of SO MANY highlights: lovely long canters up and down the beach, sand dune riding (it’s exhilarating, let me assure you) and tiptoeing through ancient forests laden with gigantic, dark-trunked tree ferns.

After a well-earned night’s rest, you’ll wake up at Henderson Bay, re-group over brekkie and do it all over again! Yep, you’ve got another day out on the west coast – more wild horses to be spotted, breathtaking scenery to be absorbed and secrets waiting to be discovered. Rest assured there is so much country on offer, you won’t ride the same trail twice. Jane will colour the ride with historical stories while pointing out native flora and fauna. In the evening you’ll return to your beachside cabins to enjoy a hearty dinner.

Your last day in the beautiful Bay of Islands region, sob! But it’s an absolute cracker: after breakfast you’ll load up and head back to Paihia for a stunning ride on a coastal farm. The owners, who have tended this land for generations, are opening their farm exclusively to your Globetrotting group, and it won’t be long before you realise what a privilege this is. The property offers incredible views over the Bay of Islands, with the coastline varying from dramatic rocky outcrops forged by ancient lava flows to otherworldly pink sandy beaches.

Finally, you’ll be transferred back to Jane’s home property and sit back with a cuppa while the horses are unloaded. Then you’ll be dropped off at your accommodation in Paihia, with enough time to spend the evening exploring town and grabbing a tasty dinner (at your own expense).

All transport during the ride is provided, including transfers to and from your Paihia accommodation on days 1 and 5.

To avoid travel delays, we ask that all guests arrive and stay in Paihia (at your own expense) the night before the ride begins, so you’re ready for collection between 9 – 9:30am on day 1.

On day 5, you will need to book a night’s accommodation in Paihia so that the group isn’t rushed getting back to town that evening. You can fly out the following day.

There are four regional flights from Auckland Domestic Airport to Kerikeri Airport daily.* If you’re flying to Kerikeri, we recommend booking a transfer to your hotel in Paihia through Kerikeri Taxis. They charge approximately $80 NZD one way for up to 3 people (total, not per person).

Otherwise, you can rent a car in Auckland and drive to Paihia (approx. 3 hours), or catch the InterCity bus (approx. 4 hours).