CWA Group Outing NSW

For CWA Branch Activity Organisers

An Outing That Speaks Directly to CWA Values

The Country Women’s Association has always stood for something deeper than afternoon tea and fundraising — it stands for rural Australia, for farming communities, for the knowledge and traditions that built this country from the ground up. Finding an activity that genuinely reflects those values is harder than it sounds.

Bulahdelah Clydesdales is not a novelty. It is the real thing — a working heavy horse property on the NSW Mid North Coast, run with over thirty years of dedicated care for Australian heavy horse heritage. The Clydesdale was the engine of Australian farming and infrastructure for more than a century. Many CWA members grew up on farms or alongside working horses. This experience does not need to be explained to them. It resonates immediately, and deeply.

For CWA branches looking for a group outing that is meaningful rather than merely pleasant, accessible for all members regardless of mobility, and worth the coach trip — this is it. Groups of up to 50 welcome. Coach access on site. Undercover seating throughout.

Dusty May the Clydesdale mare at Bulahdelah

Why It Works for CWA Groups

Six Reasons CWA Branches Choose Bulahdelah Clydesdales

Whether you are planning for a single branch of twenty or a district gathering of fifty, here is why this experience connects so naturally with everything CWA members value most about rural Australian life.

Living Australian Rural Heritage

The Clydesdale shaped Australian farming life for generations. For many CWA members, these horses are not just history — they are memory. An aunt’s farm, a grandfather’s paddock, a childhood spent around working horses. This experience brings that world back to life in the most vivid and authentic way possible.

Every Member is Included

No one is left watching from the sidelines. The property is fully accessible for wheelchair users and those with walking frames. All seating is undercover. There are no rough paddocks to cross, no standing in the sun, and no sense that some members are getting less than others. Everyone participates fully.

Calm and Unhurried

CWA members are not in a rush, and neither is Bulahdelah Clydesdales. The two-hour session is deliberately paced — structured around conversation, curiosity, and genuine engagement rather than ticking off a tourist checklist. There is time to ask questions, to linger with the horses, and to simply take it all in.

Connects with What Members Already Know

A group of women who grew up in rural NSW will not need everything explained from scratch. They will recognise the harness. They will understand the vocabulary. They will have stories of their own to share. The host welcomes this — it makes for a richer, more connected experience for the whole group.

Easy Coach Access and On-Site Parking

The property is set up for coach groups. Large coaches can arrive directly, park on site, and depart without complicated logistics. No narrow lanes, no reversing through gates, no separate drop-off and pick-up arrangements. Your driver parks, stays, and the day runs smoothly from arrival to departure.

Combines Beautifully with Bulahdelah Town

Bulahdelah is a charming country town with a Tourist Information Centre and the beloved Bulahdelah Bakery — the kind of bakery that attracts travellers from all over the state. Build a town stop into your itinerary before or after the farm visit and your members have a full, rewarding country day out.

Meet the Star of the Show

Dusty May — A Mare with Something to Say

At Bulahdelah Clydesdales, the star of every group visit is Dusty May — a beautiful Clydesdale mare with a personality every bit as big as her presence. She is calm, gentle, endlessly patient with visitors, and entirely aware that she is the centre of attention.

Dusty May has a particular affinity with people who know what a working horse means. She seems to understand when someone in the group has history with horses — when a hand reaches up to stroke her neck with the confidence of someone who has done it a thousand times before. That moment of recognition, between a woman who grew up on a farm and a mare who has never known anything but care and kindness, is something that cannot be manufactured. It simply happens, and it is extraordinary to watch.

For CWA members, meeting Dusty May is often the moment the whole day crystallises — not just a pleasant outing, but a genuine connection with the rural heritage they have carried with them their whole lives. She is, in the most literal sense, living history.

Alongside Dusty May: Hercules, the gentle giant of the herd; Jax, inquisitive and full of character; and Murphy, the donkey, who is entirely convinced he is the most important animal on the property.

Accessibility & Comfort

Every Member Comfortable, Every Member Included

CWA branches span a wide range of ages and abilities, and a good activity organiser knows that the best outing is one where nobody is left out and nobody is uncomfortable. We have thought carefully about every aspect of the visit to make sure that is exactly what happens here.

Wheelchair Accessible Throughout

Wheelchair users can access every part of the session — arrival, the working demonstration, the harness display, and the hands-on meet-and-greet with the horses. No member is directed to a separate area or a reduced version of the experience. Everyone sees and participates in exactly the same thing.

Walker Frames and Walking Sticks Welcome

Members who use walking frames or walking sticks move through the session at their own pace without difficulty. The path from the coach to the main area is level and manageable. Please let us know when booking if any members have specific mobility needs so we can ensure everything is ready before you arrive.

Undercover Seating — No One Stands in the Sun

All seating for the session is undercover. No member of your group needs to stand in direct sunlight at any point during the two hours. This is a non-negotiable priority for us — we know how important shade and comfort are when your group includes members of all ages.

Portable Toilet On Site

A clean, accessible portable toilet is on site for the duration of your visit, located close to the main gathering area. We know this matters for group outings, particularly on longer coach days, and we make sure it is something you never have to worry about.

Relaxed Pace with Built-In Rest Points

The session is structured with natural pauses between each stage. There is no rushing from one activity to the next. Members can take their time, rest between activities, and nobody feels left behind. If your group needs a few extra minutes at any point, that is perfectly fine — we follow your group’s pace, not a rigid schedule.

Coach On Site for the Full Visit

The coach remains on site for the duration of the visit. Any member who needs to rest in the coach at any point is welcome to do so. There is no pressure to remain standing or seated in the main area — members who need a break from the activity can step back to the coach and rejoin whenever they are ready.

The Visit — Step by Step

What Your CWA Group Will Experience

Sessions run for approximately two hours, with a 10am start recommended for groups. Here is exactly what your members can expect from the moment your coach pulls in.

Arrival & Welcome — Settle In, No Rushing

Your coach arrives and everyone disembarks at their own pace. There is no countdown clock, no rushing to form a group and start immediately — we give every member the chance to find a seat and get comfortable before anything begins. Once the group is settled, your host introduces the four animals: Dusty May, Hercules, Jax, and Murphy the donkey. The breed is introduced, its place in Australian history explained, and everyone gets a sense of what the next two hours will hold. This is also when the questions start — and the questions never really stop, which is exactly as it should be.

Harness History — Living Rural Tradition

The full working harness of the heavy horse is a story in itself — the leather collar shaped precisely to the individual horse’s neck, the hames that channel the pulling force, the traces that run back to whatever the horse is working with. Your host walks the group through the history of harness design, how it developed over centuries, how it was maintained on a working farm, and what it tells us about the relationship between a farmer and his horses. For CWA members with farming backgrounds, this is not abstract history — it is deeply familiar. Many will have stories of their own, and those stories are welcome.

Working Demonstration — Clydesdales at Work

The horses are put to work — a genuine working demonstration showing exactly what a Clydesdale in harness looks like, how commands are given and received, and the extraordinary co-operation that develops between a working horse and an experienced handler. This is one of the most arresting things many visitors have ever seen — the sheer size and power of the animal, combined with the precision and responsiveness of the horse. Your host narrates throughout, explaining what is happening in terms that connect directly with Australian rural history. The Clydesdales that ploughed our paddocks, pulled our loads, and built our roads were animals exactly like these.

Touch & Handle the Harness

Members are invited to touch and handle the harness components — to feel the weight of a leather collar, the solidity of a hame, the length of a trace. For many visitors, this is the moment the history becomes real. A Clydesdale collar is not a museum exhibit behind glass — it is a working object, shaped by use, worn smooth in the right places, and carrying in its construction everything a craftsman knew about how a horse moves and how a load is pulled. Your host will answer every question your group has, and CWA members ask excellent questions.

Meet, Feed & Photograph — Dusty May Comes to You

The horses come to the group — calm, experienced with visitors, and completely at ease with a crowd. Every member has the chance to feed the horses and spend time alongside them. Dusty May, in particular, has a way of making each person feel individually welcomed — she is a mare with genuine warmth and a great deal of personality. Your host guides everyone through safe interaction, and the horses do the rest. This is where the best photographs are taken, where the most laughter happens, and where members who grew up around working horses have the most to say. Nobody goes home without a photograph they are proud of, and nobody leaves without having been genuinely, personally greeted by a Clydesdale.

Visitors meeting the Clydesdales at Bulahdelah

Purpose-Built for Group Visits

Thirty Years Welcoming Groups Like Yours

Bulahdelah Clydesdales has been welcoming group visits for more than thirty years. In that time, the arrival point, the flow of the session, the seating, the accessibility, and the experience itself have all been refined around the reality of hosting groups of people who deserve a well-run, genuinely rewarding day out.

If you are the CWA branch activity organiser responsible for the group, your job on the day should be simply to enjoy it alongside your members. You will not need to manage logistics, chase people up, or worry about whether the next activity is going to work. We handle all of that. You arrive, your members are welcomed, and two hours later everyone reboarded the coach with something real to talk about on the way home.

Groups of 10 or more are eligible for a special group rate. Contact us when you enquire with your group size and preferred date, and we will provide a quote tailored to your branch.

Pricing

Straightforward Pricing, No Hidden Costs

No additional charges for accessibility requirements, no surcharges for group administration. The prices below apply to all members, and groups of ten or more should enquire for a special group rate.

Adults

$70

per person

Full adult admission including the complete two-hour session — working demonstration, harness history, hands-on time with the horses, and the meet-and-greet with Dusty May.

Children

$40

per person

For grandchildren or younger family members accompanying a CWA group — an experience they will talk about for years.

Under 10

Free

Children under 10 years of age are admitted free of charge when accompanying a paying adult. No booking surcharge.

Groups 10+

Enquire

special group rate

CWA branches and district groups of 10 or more people are eligible for a special discounted group rate. Contact us with your group size and preferred date for a tailored quote.

To confirm a group booking: Call 0434 523 344 or complete the Group Enquiry form. We recommend booking at least 4–6 weeks in advance for groups of 20 or more to secure your preferred date. A deposit may be required for large group bookings. Note: this experience is designed for adults and family groups. It is not suited to school excursions.

Make a Full Day of It

Combine Your Visit with Bulahdelah Town

Bulahdelah is a genuine country town — not a tourist strip, but a real NSW community with character, history, and the kind of welcome that feels authentic because it is. Most coach groups find it easy and enjoyable to build a town stop into the day, either before the farm visit as a morning tea stop, or after as a browse and lunch.

The Bulahdelah Tourist Information Centre is an excellent first port of call, with regional information, local produce, and a warm welcome for groups. And the Bulahdelah Bakery is legendary on the Pacific Highway — pies, bread, and pastries that attract travellers from up and down the coast. Your members will want to visit it, and they will want to come back. It is the kind of bakery that belongs in a country town, and Bulahdelah is exactly the right country town to have it in.

Bulahdelah sits between Newcastle and Port Macquarie on the Pacific Highway, making it a natural inclusion on any Mid North Coast or Hunter Valley touring itinerary. It is easy to reach by coach, easy to navigate, and exactly the kind of place that CWA members feel at home in from the moment they step off the coach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions From CWA Activity Organisers

How many people can attend a CWA group session?

We can comfortably accommodate groups of up to 50 people in a single session. This makes Bulahdelah Clydesdales suitable for individual CWA branches as well as combined-branch or district outings. If your group is likely to exceed 50, please contact us directly and we can discuss whether consecutive sessions on the same day are possible.

Is the property accessible for members with wheelchairs or walking frames?

Yes, fully. Wheelchair users and those with walking frames or walking sticks can access every part of the session. The property has been specifically set up for this — the path from the coach arrival point to the main session area is level and accessible, all seating is undercover, and a portable toilet is available on site. If you have members with specific mobility requirements, please let us know when you book and we will make sure everything is in place when you arrive.

Is there adequate shade and seating for older members?

Yes — this is a priority we take seriously. All session seating is undercover, so no member needs to stand in direct sun at any point. There are also natural rest points built into the session structure between each stage, allowing members to take a seat and rest without missing anything. The session is specifically paced for groups that include members of all ages and abilities — there is no rushing, no pressure, and no sense that anyone needs to keep up.

Is there parking for a full-size coach?

Yes. The property has been welcoming full-size coach groups for many years and is fully set up for coach access and on-site parking. Your driver can pull in directly, stay on site for the duration of the visit, and depart without complicated manoeuvring. Members who want to rest in the coach at any point are welcome to do so — the coach is always available.

What time do group sessions start and how long do they run?

Sessions run for approximately two hours. We recommend a 10am start for CWA groups, which allows for a morning tea stop in Bulahdelah town before the visit, or time at the bakery after — and still an easy return journey without a late afternoon finish. We can discuss other start times by arrangement; just mention your preferred timing when you make your enquiry.

What should members wear or bring?

Closed-toe shoes are recommended around the horses — sandals and thongs are not suitable. Members should dress comfortably for the weather, though undercover seating is provided throughout. A hat and sunscreen are sensible for arrival and departure from the coach. No special clothing or equipment is needed. A camera or phone is strongly encouraged — Dusty May and the horses make for wonderful photographs, and every member will want one.

Is this experience suitable for CWA members who grew up on farms and are very familiar with horses?

It is ideal for them. Members who grew up on farms or around working horses typically find this one of the most meaningful experiences they have had in years — not because it is new to them, but because it reconnects them with something they have not seen or experienced in a very long time. The harness, the vocabulary, the smell of good leather and working horses — it is all there. Your host welcomes the knowledge and stories that experienced members bring to the visit. It makes the experience richer for the whole group.

How far in advance should a CWA branch book?

For groups of 10–20 people, 3–4 weeks’ notice is generally sufficient. For larger groups of 20–50, we recommend booking 4–6 weeks ahead to secure your preferred date, particularly during spring and autumn when coach tour traffic is heavier. We do our best to accommodate shorter-notice requests where our calendar allows — call us and we will let you know what is available.