Why a Clydesdale Experience

Not Another Restaurant Lunch.
Something That Matters.

When someone turns 50, 60, 70 or 80, the people who love them want to give something real. Not another voucher. Not a crowded restaurant. Something that pulls at the heart — a moment in the country with animals that have been part of Australian life for over a century.

A milestone birthday experience at Bulahdelah Clydesdales puts the birthday person at the centre of something genuinely special. They will groom a gentle giant, feel the warmth of a Clydesdale's breath, and walk away with photos that no filter could improve.

Friends and family watch on with the kind of joy that only happens when someone they love is truly, completely in the moment. There is laughter. There are tears. There is Murphy the donkey being unexpectedly hilarious.

That is what a milestone birthday is supposed to feel like.

Enquire for Your Group

Murphy the donkey at Bulahdelah Clydesdales, a beloved part of every birthday experience

Why It Works

Six Reasons This Is the Birthday Gift
They Will Still Talk About at 90

Everyone Participates

This is not a spectator sport. Every person in the group — from the birthday star to the quietest family member — gets hands on with the horses. Nobody sits on the sidelines.

The Photos Are Incredible

Clydesdales are enormous, beautiful, and photogenic. Group shots with the horses become the photos people frame and keep. The birthday person will have images unlike anything else in their album.

It Is Genuinely Accessible

Wheelchair access, walkers welcome, undercover seating areas, a portable toilet on site, and gentle animals that move slowly and calmly. Nobody is left out because of mobility or age.

A Connection to Country

Clydesdales built rural Australia — logging, farming, hauling. For birthday guests who grew up on the land or in country towns, meeting these horses is a powerful, emotional reconnection with a slower, simpler time.

30+ Years of Experience

Your host has been working with Clydesdales for over three decades. Every session is calm, safe, and expertly guided. First-timers and nervous guests are welcomed with patience and genuine warmth.

Groups Up to 50 Welcome

Whether it is an intimate gathering of eight close friends or a full family celebration of fifty, the experience scales beautifully. The property has room for everyone, with undercover seating so guests can rest between activities.

The Session

Your 2-Hour Experience — Step by Step

Sessions run at 10am. Here is what happens from the moment your group arrives to the moment everyone leaves smiling — and planning their return visit.

Welcome & Introduction

Your host welcomes the group, introduces the horses by name and personality, and runs through everything you need to know. Undercover seating is available for guests who prefer to settle in before getting started.

Meet the Horses

One by one, guests are introduced to Dusty May, Hercules, Jax, and Murphy the donkey. Gentle first contact — patting, touching, feeling the sheer scale of these magnificent animals up close.

Grooming & Bonding

Everyone who wants to gets a brush in hand. Grooming a Clydesdale is calming, intimate, and surprisingly moving. The birthday person gets their moment front and centre with the horse of their choice.

Handling & Leading

With gentle guidance from your host, guests have the opportunity to lead the horses and experience the trust that builds between person and animal. It is this step that surprises people most — and produces the best photographs.

Group Photos & Farewell

The final part of the session is dedicated to photos — individual shots with the birthday person, full group photos with the Clydesdales, and the kind of candid moments that happen naturally when everyone is relaxed and happy.

For Those Who Grew Up on the Land

A Homecoming for Country Hearts

For many guests turning 60, 70, or 80, Clydesdales are not just horses. They are a memory. A sound. A smell. A feeling from a life lived closer to the earth.

Guests who grew up on farms or in country towns consistently tell us that meeting the Clydesdales sends them straight back to childhood. To their grandfather's property. To the draught horses that pulled the plough. To a time before everything got so fast.

"She hadn't been near a horse in forty years. When she put her hand on Hercules, she just stood there quietly for a moment — and then she started to cry. Happy tears. She said it was the best birthday of her life."

— Family member, 75th birthday group

This kind of connection is something no restaurant, hotel, or shopping voucher can create. It is earned — by the animals, by the land, by thirty years of a host who knows exactly how to make first-time visitors feel completely at home.

If the birthday person grew up in the country, or has always loved horses, or simply craves something real in a world that increasingly offers only the synthetic — this is the experience you have been looking for.

Murphy the donkey — an unexpected highlight of every Bulahdelah Clydesdales birthday experience

The Unexpected Star

Murphy the Donkey.
Nobody Expects to Fall
in Love with a Donkey.

Every group has a moment where Murphy does something that makes everyone laugh at once. It is unpredictable, it is genuine, and it is uniquely his.

Murphy is a full-sized donkey with the personality of a small, slightly dramatic celebrity. He demands attention, has strong opinions about biscuits, and has a habit of appearing at exactly the wrong moment in photographs — usually stealing the frame entirely.

Birthday groups consistently nominate Murphy as their highlight reel moment. He is particularly beloved by guests who did not think they liked donkeys, which turns out to be most people before they meet Murphy.

He is gentle, safe, and completely at home with visitors of all ages and abilities. He will accept a pat with great dignity and then immediately ruin the solemnity by braying loudly for more attention.

Murphy is included in every session at no extra charge. Consider this a gift.

Accessibility

Everyone Welcome.
Nobody Left Out.

Milestone birthdays often mean guests across a wide range of ages and physical abilities. We have thought carefully about this, and we are proud that our experience genuinely works for everyone in the group — from the 30-year-old grandchild to the 82-year-old birthday guest.

♿

Wheelchair Access

The property is accessible for guests using wheelchairs. Flat ground near the horses allows close contact without needing to navigate difficult terrain.

🚶

Walkers & Mobility Aids

Walking frames, crutches, and other mobility aids are all fully accommodated. The pace of the session adapts to your group's needs — we never rush.

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Undercover Seating

Covered seating is available throughout the session. Guests who prefer to watch rather than actively participate are completely welcome — this is their day too.

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On-Site Facilities

A portable toilet is available on site. For groups with specific needs or guests requiring additional considerations, please mention this when you enquire.

Pricing

Clear, Simple Pricing

No hidden extras. No complicated packages. Just a straightforward, honest price for a genuine experience — with a special rate for groups of ten or more.

Adults

^$70

per person

Full 2-hour session. All activities included. Groups of 10 or more — enquire for a special rate.

Children (Under 16)

^$40

per child

Children are welcome to attend with their adult group. Please note: we are an adult-group experience — no school or children-only groups.

Groups 10+

Enquire

special rate available

Best Value

Groups of ten or more adults qualify for a special group rate. Contact us to discuss pricing for your specific group size and date.

Under 5s attend free of charge. Groups must be 18+ adults. No school groups or children-only bookings accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know
Before You Book

What age groups are welcome?

Our experience is designed for adult groups aged 18 and over. Children under 16 may attend with adults at the child rate. Under-5s are free. We do not accept school groups or children-only bookings. This is an adult experience — which is what makes it perfect for a milestone birthday celebration.

How many people can attend?

We welcome groups up to 50 people. Whether you are planning an intimate gathering of eight close friends or a full extended family celebration of forty, the property and the session are designed to accommodate your group comfortably. Groups of ten or more are eligible for a special rate — just enquire.

Do guests need any experience with horses?

Absolutely none. This experience is designed for people who have never been near a Clydesdale in their lives — and it is all the more powerful for it. Your host has over 30 years of experience introducing first-timers to these animals, and the Clydesdales themselves are calm, gentle, and completely used to visitors of all backgrounds.

Is it safe for older guests or guests with limited mobility?

Yes. The Clydesdales are gentle and slow-moving. The terrain near the horses is flat and accessible. Wheelchair users, guests with walking frames, and guests with limited mobility are all fully accommodated. Undercover seating is available throughout so guests can participate at whatever level feels right for them. If you have specific needs, mention them when you enquire and we will plan accordingly.

What should guests wear?

Enclosed shoes are essential — no thongs or sandals near the horses. Comfortable clothing in layers is ideal, as sessions are outdoors in country NSW conditions. Long pants are recommended. Leave the good clothes at home — this is a country experience and you are welcome to get a little earthy.

What time do sessions run?

Sessions run at 10am and last approximately two hours. Please arrive a few minutes early so everyone is ready to start on time. If your group is travelling from Newcastle, Sydney, or the Hunter Valley, Bulahdelah is easily reached on the Pacific Highway — allow travel time accordingly.

Can we make special arrangements for the birthday person?

Absolutely. We love making the birthday person feel special. If you would like a particular moment set up — a dedicated photo opportunity, a specific horse introduction, or something else that makes the occasion feel personal — just let us know when you enquire. We will do everything we can to make it happen.

How do we book?

The best way to book is to call us directly on 0434 523 344 to discuss your date, group size, and any special requirements. You can also submit a group enquiry using the form on this site. We confirm availability and talk through everything you need to know before any payment is required.

Is the location easy to get to?

Bulahdelah sits on the Pacific Highway between Newcastle and Port Macquarie, roughly 2.5 hours north of Sydney and 1.5 hours north of Newcastle. It is a straightforward drive with good highway access, making it a realistic day trip from much of coastal NSW. Exact directions are provided at the time of booking.

Are there toilets and seating available?

Yes. There is a portable toilet on site. Undercover seating is available throughout the session for guests who need to rest. We ask that you bring your own water and any food or snacks your group needs for before or after the session.

Getting Here

Bulahdelah, NSW — Mid North Coast

Less than three hours from Sydney. Two hours from Newcastle. Right on the Pacific Highway.

Bulahdelah is one of those country towns that still has the feel of the real Australia — big skies, gum trees, and the kind of quiet you cannot find in the city. Guests who drive up from Sydney or Newcastle consistently comment that the journey itself puts them in the right frame of mind for the experience.

If you are planning a milestone birthday weekend, Bulahdelah and the surrounding Myall Lakes area offer beautiful accommodation options. A Saturday morning session followed by lunch and a night or two by the water makes for a genuinely memorable birthday weekend.

Exact directions are provided when you book. Parking is available on site with overflow nearby.

Plan Your Visit

Location: Bulahdelah, NSW (exact address on booking)
Sessions: 10am start, 2 hours
From Sydney: approx. 2.5 hours via Pacific Hwy
From Newcastle: approx. 1.5 hours via Pacific Hwy
From Port Macquarie: approx. 1.5 hours via Pacific Hwy
Parking: Available on site

Call 0434 523 344

Milestone Birthday
Experience NSW

Celebrating a Big One?

Not Another Restaurant Lunch.
Something That Matters.