Probus Group Outing NSW

About Probus Outings

An Outing Worthy of Your Members

Probus clubs exist to keep retired and semi-retired professionals active, socially connected, and genuinely engaged. That means the outings you organise matter — your members are experienced travellers with high expectations, and "just another coach trip to a winery" no longer excites anyone.

Bulahdelah Clydesdales offers something your group almost certainly has never done before: a hands-on, immersive encounter with Australia’s most iconic working breed. Four magnificent Clydesdales — Dusty May, Hercules, Jax, and Murphy the donkey — and a host with over thirty years of experience in Australian heavy horse heritage.

This is living history. It is also relaxed, accessible, and designed from the ground up to suit groups that include members with mobility aids, or who simply appreciate a chair in the shade over standing in a paddock.

Why It Works for Probus

Six Reasons Coordinators Choose Bulahdelah Clydesdales

Whether you are organising for a club of twenty or a combined-clubs outing of fifty, here is why this experience keeps appearing on Probus calendars across the NSW Hunter and Mid North Coast regions.

Something No One Has Done Before

Heavy horse experiences at this level of authenticity are rare anywhere in Australia. Your members will not be comparing this visit to another one they did last year — it will be genuinely new, memorable, and worth the trip.

Easy Coach Access

The property is fully accessible by large coach. Your driver can drop directly at the entry point, wait comfortably on site, and collect without the group needing to walk any distance to reboard. No narrow lanes, no reversing in the dark.

Undercover Seating Throughout

No one stands in the sun for two hours. Undercover seating is available for the entire session, so members who need to sit can do so without missing any part of the demonstration or interaction.

Genuine Australian Heritage

Clydesdales shaped Australian farming and infrastructure for over a century. The harness, the vocabulary, the techniques — this is not a theme-park recreation. It is the real thing, explained by someone who has dedicated their life to preserving it.

Calm, Unhurried Pace

There is no rushing. The two-hour session is structured to allow members to absorb each stage at their own pace. Questions are welcomed throughout — not just at the end. The horses themselves are calm, experienced with groups, and extraordinarily gentle.

Combines Well with a Town Stop

Bulahdelah is a charming town with a Tourist Information Centre and the famous Bulahdelah Bakery — an ideal stop before or after your visit. Easy to build into a full-day itinerary without pressure or complicated logistics.

Accessibility & Comfort

Designed with Your Members in Mind

We understand that in a Probus group of any size, some members will use wheelchairs, some will have walker frames, and many will simply appreciate not having to stand on uneven ground for extended periods. We have thought carefully about every part of the visit to make sure every member is comfortable, included, and able to fully participate.

Wheelchair Accessible Throughout

The property is set up so that wheelchair users can access all parts of the session — arrival, demonstration area, harness display, and meet-and-greet with the horses — without needing assistance over difficult terrain.

Walker Frames Welcome

Members who use walking frames or walking sticks are very welcome. The path from coach arrival to the main area is level and manageable. Please advise us at the time of booking if you have members with specific mobility needs so we can ensure everything is ready.

Undercover Seating — No Standing in the Sun

All seating for the session is undercover. Members do not need to stand in direct sun at any point. If the weather turns, the program adapts. We want everyone comfortable from the moment the coach doors open.

Portable Toilet On Site

A portable toilet is available on site for the duration of your visit. We know this matters — especially on longer coach outings — and we make sure it is clean, accessible, and close to the main gathering area.

Gentle Pace, No Rushing

The two-hour session is deliberately paced. There are natural rest points built in between each stage. If your group needs a few extra minutes at any point, that is perfectly fine — we work at the pace that suits your group, not a rigid timetable.

Coach Parking On Site

Your coach can stay on site for the duration of the visit. There is no need to arrange separate pick-up timing or have your driver leave and return. Members who need to rest in the coach at any point can do so easily.

The Visit — Step by Step

What Your Probus 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 arrives.

Arrival & Welcome — Meet Dusty May, Hercules, Jax & Murphy

Your group is welcomed as the coach pulls in. There is no rushing to gather at a specific time — we give everyone the opportunity to disembark comfortably, find a seat, and settle in before anything begins. Once the group is settled, the four animals are introduced: Dusty May, Hercules, Jax, and Murphy the donkey. Your host explains the breed, its history in Australia, and what the group is about to experience over the next two hours. This is the moment you realise this is not a petting zoo — it is something altogether more substantial.

Live Working Demonstration

Watch the Clydesdales at work — genuine working demonstrations showing the power, skill, and extraordinary co-operation between horse and handler that made these animals the engine of Australia’s agricultural and industrial past. Your host narrates throughout, explaining what is happening, why, and what life would have looked like for the generations of Australians who depended on horses like these every single day. This is genuinely compelling viewing, and there will be questions — which is exactly what we want.

Heavy Horse Harness Display — Touch & Handle

This is a highlight for most groups. The full heavy horse working harness is laid out and explained in detail — the leather collar, the hames, the traces, the breeching — and members are invited to touch and handle the pieces. Many guests have seen photographs of working horses in harness, but few have ever felt the weight of a leather collar, traced the curve of a hame, or understood how a trace connects the horse to the load it is pulling. This is living history you can hold in your hands. Your host explains each component, its purpose, and how it has remained essentially unchanged for centuries.

Meet, Feed & Photograph

The horses come to the group — calm, familiar with people, and completely at ease with large numbers. Members are guided through how to approach and interact safely, and everyone has the opportunity to feed the horses and have photographs taken alongside them. This is the part that tends to produce the most laughter, the most surprise at just how large a Clydesdale actually is up close, and the best photographs. No one goes home without a photograph they are happy with.

Questions & Open Interaction — Plenty of Time, No Rushing

The session closes with extended time for questions and conversation. In our experience, Probus members ask excellent questions — about the breed, the heritage, the work of preserving it, and the horses themselves. Your host is happy to talk for as long as the group wishes. This is not a five-minute Q&A before the coach leaves — it is a genuine conversation, and it is often where the most interesting stories emerge. When your group is ready to leave, the coach departs. There is no clock on the wall telling anyone to hurry up.

Coach group visit to Bulahdelah Clydesdales

Coach Groups Welcome

Purpose-Built for Group Coach Visits

The property has been welcoming coach groups for many years. The arrival point, seating, and flow of the session have all been refined around the reality of arriving with a group of 20 to 50 people, many of whom may have mobility considerations, and all of whom deserve to have a smooth, comfortable, enjoyable day.

If you are the Probus coordinator responsible for the group, your job on the day should be simply to enjoy it alongside your members. We handle the logistics, the timing, and the experience. You handle nothing except making sure everyone gets on the coach when it is time to leave.

Groups of 10 or more are eligible for a special group rate. Contact us when you make your enquiry and we will provide a quote tailored to your group size.

Pricing

Clear, Straightforward Group Pricing

No hidden costs, no per-person surcharges for accessibility requirements. The price is the price, and groups of ten or more are encouraged to enquire for a special group rate.

Adults

$70

per person

Standard adult admission including the full two-hour session, working demonstration, harness display, and meet-and-greet.

Children

$40

per person

For any children accompanying a Probus group — grandchildren welcome on family outings.

Under 10

Free

Children under 10 years of age are admitted free of charge when accompanying a paying adult.

Groups 10+

Enquire

special group rate

Groups of 10 or more people are eligible for a special discounted group rate. Contact us with your group size and date and we will provide 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 to hold large group bookings.

Make a Day of It

Combine Your Visit with Bulahdelah Town

Bulahdelah is a genuinely lovely stop on the NSW Mid North Coast, and most coach groups find it easy to combine the Clydesdale experience with an hour or so in the town itself — either before or after the farm visit.

The Bulahdelah Tourist Information Centre is well worth a visit, with excellent regional information and local produce. And the Bulahdelah Bakery is something of a legend on the highway — the pies and bread attract travellers from all over the state. It is the kind of bakery that your members will want to visit twice: once before the visit for morning tea, and once on the way out to stock up.

Bulahdelah sits on the Pacific Highway between Newcastle and Port Macquarie, making it a natural inclusion on any Hunter or Mid North Coast touring itinerary. It is easy to reach, easy to navigate, and the kind of town that people remember warmly long after the day is over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions From Probus Coordinators

How many people can attend a group session?

We can comfortably accommodate groups of up to 50 people in a single session. This makes Bulahdelah Clydesdales suitable for individual Probus clubs and for combined-club outings. If your group is larger than 50, please contact us and we can discuss options — in some cases it may be possible to arrange consecutive sessions on the same day.

Is the property accessible for wheelchair users and members with walking frames?

Yes, fully. The property has been specifically set up to accommodate wheelchair users and those with walking frames or walking sticks. The path from the coach arrival point to the main session area is accessible, all seating is undercover, and a portable toilet is on site. If you have members with specific mobility requirements, we encourage you to let us know when you book so we can ensure everything is in place when you arrive.

Is there parking for a large coach?

Yes. The property has been welcoming coach groups for many years and is fully set up for large coach access and on-site parking. Your driver can remain on site for the duration of the visit. There is no need to arrange an off-site wait or a timed return — the coach stays, members reboard when they are ready, and the day runs smoothly.

How long does the session run and what time does it start?

Sessions run for approximately two hours. We recommend a 10am start for Probus groups, which allows for a relaxed morning, time for the town and bakery before or after, and an easy return journey without a late afternoon rush. We do offer other start times by arrangement — just ask when you make your enquiry.

What do members need to bring?

Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are recommended — sandals or thongs are not suitable around the horses. Members should dress for the weather, though undercover seating is provided. A hat and sunscreen are sensible for arrival and departure. No special equipment or clothing is required. A camera or phone is strongly encouraged — members will want photographs with the horses, and the opportunities are excellent.

Is there shade and seating throughout the visit?

Yes — this is a priority for us. All seating for the session is undercover. No member of your group should need to stand in direct sunlight at any point during the two hours. There are also natural rest points built into the session structure, so members who need to sit and rest between activities can do so without missing anything important. If anyone needs to return to the coach and rest at any point, that is perfectly fine too.

How far in advance should we book for a Probus group?

For groups of 10–20 people, we recommend booking at least 3–4 weeks in advance. For larger groups of 20–50, booking 4–6 weeks ahead is advisable to secure your preferred date, particularly during school holiday periods or on popular travel dates. We do our best to accommodate late bookings where possible — call us and we will let you know what is available.