Family Reunion NSW

The Perfect Gathering

An Activity Every Generation Will Love

Planning a family reunion is hard. You need something that works for the eight-year-old who won’t sit still, the teenager who doesn’t want to be there, and the grandparents who can’t walk far. A setting that creates conversation, not just consumption. A memory that sticks.

Bulahdelah Clydesdales delivers exactly that. Nestled on a working farm just off the Pacific Highway at Bulahdelah — a natural stopping point for families travelling from Sydney, Newcastle, and the Hunter — our draft horses have a way of bringing people together that very few experiences can match.

These are not zoo animals or petting farm novelties. These are working Clydesdales — Dusty May, Hercules, Jax, and Murphy — cared for with deep knowledge and respect over more than three decades. Spending a morning with them is something your family will talk about for years.

Murphy the friendly Clydesdale at Bulahdelah

Why It Works for Family Reunions

Something for Every Age, Every Personality

A great family reunion activity doesn’t need everyone to do the same thing — it needs a shared focal point that lets each person engage in their own way. Clydesdales do that naturally.

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Calm & Gentle by Nature

Clydesdales are bred for temperament. These are among the quietest, most even-tempered horses you’ll find anywhere. Nervous visitors — adults or children — quickly relax. There’s no rushing, no noise, no chaos. Just a slow, grounding experience in the open air.

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Nostalgia for Older Generations

For grandparents and great-grandparents who grew up in rural Australia, Clydesdales carry deep personal meaning. Many visitors in their 70s and 80s light up immediately — they remember these horses from childhood farms, from country shows, from a way of life that has largely passed. This is living memory.

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Kids Are Captivated

Children are immediately drawn in. Feeding these enormous, gentle animals by hand, learning their names, touching the feathered hooves — it is wonder in its purest form. Under 10s attend free, and younger children are among the most enthusiastic visitors on the property.

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Outdoors & Unhurried

Two hours on a working farm means space, fresh air, and time that doesn’t feel scheduled. No queues, no screens, no noise. People naturally spread out, find their own rhythm, and then come back together. It creates the kind of easy conversation that a restaurant table rarely does.

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Genuinely Educational

Our host shares the history of the Clydesdale breed, how these horses were used to build Australia, and how working draft horses are cared for today. It’s rich, personal storytelling — not a scripted tour, but real knowledge from someone who has lived it for over thirty years.

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A Rare & Memorable Venue

Most family reunions happen at a park or a restaurant. This is different. Your family will have a story to tell — the time we all went to that horse farm at Bulahdelah. That distinctiveness is exactly what a reunion needs to feel like a genuine occasion, not just another gathering.

What Happens on the Day

Your 2-Hour Morning Session — Step by Step

Sessions run from 10am on arranged dates. Here is exactly what your family can expect across the two hours.

Welcome & Orientation

Your group arrives at the property and is welcomed by your host. A brief orientation covers safety, how to approach and handle the horses, and what to expect. This is relaxed and informal — designed to settle any nerves, especially for first-time visitors or younger children. Undercover seating is available for those who want to watch rather than participate actively.

Meet the Horses

Time to meet Dusty May, Hercules, Jax, and Murphy. Your host introduces each horse — their personality, their history, and what makes them unique. This is where the real magic begins: the moment that enormous, feathered head leans over the fence and the kids realise just how big a Clydesdale actually is.

Feeding & Handling

Guests of all ages get the chance to hand-feed the horses. Under close supervision, even very young children can take part with confidence. This is the hands-on highlight of the session — intimate, tactile, and completely unlike anything you can experience at a standard tourist attraction. Grooming opportunities are also available.

History & Storytelling

Learn about the Clydesdale breed — their origins in Scotland, their role in building colonial Australia, and why they were essential to farming and transport for over a century. For older family members this is often the most moving part of the visit: stories of a working Australia they remember or grew up hearing about. Photos and free time to wander the property at your own pace.

Photos & Farewell

The final stretch is open time — photographs with the horses, last feeds, and a chance to say goodbye properly. Many families linger well into this period. Your host is available for questions and to share any specific stories or family connections to draft horse history. A relaxed, unhurried close to the morning.

Visitor enjoying time with the Clydesdales at Bulahdelah

Access & Inclusion

Accessible for Every Member of Your Family

Family reunions span every age and every level of physical ability. We have thought carefully about how to make every visitor feel included and comfortable from the moment they arrive.

The property is designed with accessibility in mind. You do not need to be physically active to enjoy a full and meaningful session with the horses.

Wheelchair-accessible pathways to the horses — no steep terrain
Walker frames and mobility aid users comfortably accommodated
Undercover seating available throughout — shade from Australian sun
Portable toilet facilities on property
Children under 10 attend completely free
Calm, unhurried pace — no time pressure, no queues
Host is experienced working with visitors of all abilities and confidence levels
Small enough group size (up to 50) to ensure personal attention for everyone

Pricing

Straightforward Pricing for Groups

No hidden extras. No booking fees. Under 10s are always free. For groups of 15 or more, contact us for a group rate.

Adults

$70

Per person (18+)

Full 2-hour morning session. Feeding, handling, guided tour, and open time with the horses. Group bookings require participants 18+ (families with children welcome for regular bookings).

Children

$40

Ages 10–17

Full session access. Children between 10 and 17 years participate fully in all feeding and handling activities under supervision.

Under 10s

Free

Ages 0–9

Children under 10 attend at no charge. They participate in feeding and handling with a supervising adult present at all times.

Groups (15+)

POA

Up to 50 people

Groups of 15 or more are encouraged to send a group enquiry for a tailored quote. We accommodate up to 50 guests per session.

* Group bookings (15+) require a minimum age of 18 for all attendees unless booking as a family via book.html. Contact us to discuss your specific group composition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know

What age range does the experience suit?

The experience genuinely suits all ages. We regularly host visitors from toddlers right through to guests in their late 80s. The Clydesdales are calm and gentle enough for the very young and the very old to feel completely comfortable. Children under 10 attend free. Children aged 10 to 17 pay the child rate. For group bookings (15+ people), all ticketed participants must be 18 or over, though families with mixed ages are warmly welcome for standard bookings via our regular book page.

Is the property accessible for guests with limited mobility?

Yes. We have designed our setup to accommodate guests who use wheelchairs, walking frames, or who simply cannot manage uneven or steep terrain. There are wheelchair-accessible pathways leading directly to the horses, undercover seating in the shade for those who wish to observe rather than stand, and portable toilet facilities on the property. If you have specific accessibility needs for a family member, please mention it in your group enquiry and we will make sure everything is arranged before you arrive.

How large a group can you accommodate?

We accommodate groups of up to 50 people per session. This is large enough for a sizeable family reunion while remaining intimate enough for every person to have genuine, unhurried time with the horses. For groups of 15 or more we ask that you use the group enquiry form so we can confirm your date and discuss any specific requirements. We do not double-book sessions, so your group will have the property to yourselves.

What should we wear and bring?

Closed-toe shoes are essential for all participants who will be near the horses — no thongs or sandals. Comfortable, casual clothing is ideal. A hat and sunscreen are recommended as the session is primarily outdoors. We provide everything needed for the horse interaction itself. There is undercover seating available, but the morning is generally spent outdoors, so dress for the weather. There is no need to bring food or drinks, though you are welcome to bring your own for before or after the session.

Are the horses safe around children and nervous adults?

Absolutely. Clydesdales have been specifically bred for their calm, even temperament — they were working horses that needed to be trustworthy around people, machinery, and noise. Our horses are well-handled, experienced with visitors of all ages, and are used to nervous or first-time guests. Your host has 30+ years of experience with these animals and will guide every interaction at the pace that suits each visitor. We have never had an incident, and we take the safety of our guests — especially children — extremely seriously.

Where exactly are you located, and how do we get there?

We are located at Bulahdelah on the Mid-North Coast of NSW, just off the Pacific Highway — making us a natural stopping point for families travelling between Sydney and Port Macquarie, Taree, or further north. Bulahdelah is approximately 3 hours from Sydney and 2.5 hours from Newcastle. Exact property address and directions are provided at the time of booking. Ample parking is available on site for cars, minivans, and small buses.

How far in advance do we need to book for a group?

For groups of 15 or more, we recommend enquiring at least 3–4 weeks in advance to secure your preferred date. Popular school holiday periods and long weekends book out earlier. Smaller family groups (under 15) can often be accommodated with less notice, particularly mid-week. Use the group enquiry form or call 0434 523 344 to check availability quickly.