Central Coast Day Trip Horse Experience NSW

Worth the Drive North

A Day Trip with Something to Show for It

The Central Coast is well served for beaches and cafes. What it doesn't have is a genuine heavy horse experience on a working farm. For that, you head north — up the Pacific Motorway, through the forest, exit at Bulahdelah — and within 2.5 hours of leaving Gosford or Wyong you're standing next to a 700-kilogram Clydesdale. Adults 18 and over only for group bookings.

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2.5 Hours North

Gosford to Bulahdelah via the Pacific Motorway — a straight, easy freeway drive. No toll roads past Sydney, no complex navigation. One exit and you're there.

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Nothing Like It on the Coast

There is no equivalent Clydesdale working farm experience on or near the Central Coast. If you want the genuine article, this is the one — and the drive is half the adventure.

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Up to 50 People

Perfect for a group day trip — clubs, associations, families, birthday groups. Up to 50 guests per session, with special group rates for parties of 10 or more.

Why Make the Trip

What You're Actually Coming For

The Central Coast has no shortage of day trip options. Here's why this one is worth the extra kilometres.

Working Farm, Not a Tourist Attraction

Bulahdelah Clydesdales is a real working property with real working horses. These animals aren't ornamental — they are bred from Australian draught horse heritage, handled daily, and put through their paces in a full working demonstration every session. You're not watching through a fence. You're on the farm.

Over 30 Years of Experience

The knowledge behind this operation spans more than three decades. The handling techniques, the way the session is run, the depth of information your guide can provide — it reflects a lifetime working with heavy horses, not a tourism product built last year.

Four Distinct Horses, Four Distinct Characters

Dusty May, Hercules, Jax and Murphy are not interchangeable. Each one has a personality that comes through from the moment you arrive. Some guests have a favourite within five minutes. Others take the whole two hours to decide. You'll understand what we mean when you get here.

Genuinely Accessible

Wheelchair access, walker frames welcome, undercover seating, portable toilet on site. This is not an experience built only for the physically fit. Every member of the group — regardless of mobility — can participate fully from start to finish. That matters when you're organising a group day trip from the Central Coast.

First Stop: Bulahdelah Town

The Town Is Part of the Day Out

Bulahdelah is a genuine country town with its own character. Before heading to the farm, it's worth a short stop to stretch your legs and set the group up for the morning. It's a real town, not a highway servo — and it's been feeding and watering travellers for over a century.

Tourist Information Centre

The Tourist Information Centre sits right in the heart of Bulahdelah — easy to find, easy to park at. Clean bathrooms, a decent coffee, and staff who know the area well. A calm start after the freeway run north. Let the group gather, stretch, and get their bearings before heading to the farm.

The Famous Bulahdelah Bakery

Word about the Bulahdelah Bakery has spread well beyond the local area. Locals have been going there for years. Travellers who stop once come back deliberately on the next trip. Grab something hot before the session, or pick up a meat pie for the drive home down the motorway. Don't leave without trying it.

The Session

What Happens on the Day

A 2-hour session starting at 10am. The format is consistent, well-paced and built around giving your group proper time with the animals — not a rushed queue-and-pat.

Arrival & Introduction

Your group arrives at the farm and is introduced to Dusty May, Hercules, Jax and Murphy. The size of these animals never fails to get a reaction — even from people who think they know what a big horse looks like. First impressions here are genuinely impressive.

Live Working Demonstration

Watch the Clydesdales put through a full working demonstration. These are horses bred to work — seeing them move under harness is something photographs barely capture. It's one of those moments where people put their phones down for a few seconds just to take it in properly.

Heavy Horse Harness Display

A full heavy horse working harness — collar, hames, traces, breeching, the complete set — laid out for your group to touch, hold and examine. Your guide walks through every piece and how it works. Living history you can put your hands on. Most people have never seen one up close.

Meet, Feed & Photograph

Personal time with the horses — feeding by hand, patting, photography. These are not small animals and the photos reflect that. Bring your phone charged. Bring carrots. Give yourself time with each horse — they each have a different way of interacting with people, and you'll want to experience all four.

Questions, Stories & Time to Linger

Nobody gets rushed off the property. The final part of the session is open — time to ask questions, hear stories, let the group wander and take more photos. Over 30 years of experience means the conversation never runs dry. Stay as long as the session allows and make the most of it.

Good to Know

✓ Adults 18+ for group bookings

✓ Up to 50 guests per session

✓ 2-hour session · 10am start

✓ Wheelchair accessible

✓ Walker frames welcome

✓ Undercover seating available

✓ Portable toilet on site

✓ Over 30 years experience

✓ No school groups

Hercules the Clydesdale at Bulahdelah NSW

Meet the Horses

This Is Hercules

Hercules is one of four Clydesdales you'll spend time with on the day — alongside Dusty May, Jax and Murphy. The name is accurate. He is the kind of animal that makes you recalibrate your sense of scale the moment you stand next to him.

Like all the horses here, Hercules has been worked and handled over many years. The experience that goes into every session — more than three decades of it — shows in how the animals behave around people and how the session runs. Nothing is staged. Nothing is rushed.

From the Central Coast, the drive is about 2.5 hours. The session is 2 hours. You leave knowing you've seen something that doesn't exist closer to home — and that tends to make the drive back feel shorter.

Pricing

Simple, Honest Rates

No hidden costs, no complicated packages. A straightforward price for a morning that's genuinely worth making the trip for.

Adults

$70

Per person · Full 2-hour session including working demonstration, harness display and hands-on time with all four horses.

Children

$40

Per child · Ages 10 and up. Under 10s are free. A real farm experience that children carry with them for years.

Groups of 10+

Enquire

Special group rates for parties of 10 or more. Call or use the enquiry form to discuss your numbers and preferred date.

Groups of 10 or more qualify for our special group rate. Call 0434 523 344 or use the enquiry form below and we'll sort the details.

Accessibility

Everyone in the Group Can Participate

The farm is set up so that no one in the group has to sit it out. Whether you're booking for a seniors club, a mixed-age family group, or a gathering with members who use mobility aids — the session is designed for full participation, start to finish.

Fully Accessible Setup

Wheelchair access throughout the session area. Walker frames welcome. Undercover seating available for the full duration — no one needs to stand if they don't want to. A portable toilet is on site. The farm is set up for groups where mobility varies, and that's intentional. If you have specific access requirements, call ahead and we'll make sure everything is in order before your group arrives.

Wheelchair Access

Walker Frames Welcome

Undercover Seating

Portable Toilet On Site

Call Ahead for Special Requirements

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from people planning a day trip from the Central Coast.

How far is the Central Coast from Bulahdelah?

From Gosford or Wyong, you're looking at approximately 2 to 2.5 hours drive via the Pacific Motorway heading north. The route is straightforward — no complex navigation, no multiple toll roads past Sydney. Take the Bulahdelah exit when you see it, follow the signs into town, and you're there.

What time does the session start and how long does it run?

Sessions start at 10am and run for 2 hours. Given the drive from the Central Coast, most groups head off early and allow time to stop in Bulahdelah town before arriving at the farm. The Tourist Information Centre and the Bulahdelah Bakery are both worth a stop on the way through.

Do you offer group rates for Central Coast groups?

Yes. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for our special group rate. Call 0434 523 344 or use the group enquiry form on this site to discuss numbers, preferred date, and pricing. We're happy to work through the details ahead of your visit.

Is the farm accessible for people with limited mobility?

Yes. The session area is wheelchair accessible, walker frames are welcome, undercover seating is available throughout, and there is a portable toilet on site. If anyone in your group has specific access requirements, call ahead and we'll make sure everything is arranged before you arrive.

What should we bring?

Wear comfortable shoes — you'll be on a farm. Bring sunscreen and a hat for the warmer months. Charge your phone before you leave — the photography opportunities are significant, and you won't want to miss them. Carrots are always welcome. If you want to feed the horses by hand, carrots are the go-to.

How do I book?

Call or text 0434 523 344 to check availability and confirm your date. For groups of 10 or more, use the group enquiry form on this site and we'll get back to you with availability and group pricing. Bookings are confirmed once details and numbers are finalised.

Do you take school groups?

No. Bulahdelah Clydesdales does not take school groups. The experience is designed for adults 18 and over (for group bookings), families, and community groups. Children aged 10 and over are welcome when accompanied by adults. Under 10s are free.

Is it worth the 2.5-hour drive from the Central Coast?

There is no equivalent Clydesdale working farm experience available on or near the Central Coast. What's on offer here — the working demonstration, the harness display, the hands-on time with four horses, the depth of knowledge from 30-plus years of experience — doesn't exist closer to home. For groups looking for a genuinely memorable day out, the drive is consistently reported as worth it.