Rotary Club Outing NSW

The Right Outing for Your Club

An Experience That Matches Rotary Values

Rotary is built on a deep respect for community, heritage and genuine service — and a morning with Bulahdelah Clydesdales connects with every one of those values. These are real working horses with a real history, not a theme park attraction. They plough, they haul, they live the way Australian draught horses have for over a century.

When your Rotary club is planning its next day outing, you want something that sparks real conversation and gives members a shared memory worth talking about at the next meeting. A two-hour session with four magnificent Clydesdales — and one opinionated donkey — does exactly that.

We've hosted Rotary clubs, Lions clubs, RSL groups and bowls clubs from across NSW. The format works for mixed abilities and ages, coach parties travel easily to us via the Pacific Highway, and Bulahdelah's bakery and tourist information centre are just minutes away for a relaxed stop before or after.

Group visiting Bulahdelah Clydesdales by coach

Coach groups arrive direct from the highway — easy access for any club.

Why It Works for Rotary Groups

Community, Heritage and Something Real

Rotary activity organisers know the challenge: finding an outing that genuinely resonates with a diverse group. Here is why the Clydesdales experience keeps delivering for community organisations across NSW.

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Living Australian Heritage

Clydesdales were the backbone of Australian farming and haulage for generations. Watching them work — and understanding their history — gives your group a real connection to this country's story. It is the kind of experience Rotary members genuinely appreciate.

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A Shared Conversation Starter

There is nothing quite like standing next to an 800-kilogram horse to get a group talking. The session naturally brings people together, creates shared moments and generates conversation that carries on over lunch. It's an icebreaker built for community groups.

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Perfect Mid-North Coast Routing

Bulahdelah sits right on the Pacific Highway, making it a natural stop on a day trip up or down the coast. Many clubs pair the Clydesdales visit with the Bulahdelah bakery stop and a look at the local visitor centre — a complete day out for minimal planning effort.

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Meaningful for All Ages

The experience resonates across every decade of life. Older members often have a personal connection to working horses from their own childhood. Younger members are seeing genuine working animals in a way they never have before. Every age group leaves with something.

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Genuinely Accessible

Wheelchair users, members with limited mobility and those who prefer to observe rather than participate are all catered for. The property is set up to allow everyone to experience the session at their own comfort level, with level viewing areas throughout.

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Coach-Friendly Logistics

Coaches and mini-buses park easily on-site. There is no complex transfer or walking required. Your group steps off the coach and into the experience. The straightforward logistics make the activity organiser's job easy from the first phone call to the final headcount.

Your Day With Us

The 5-Step Rotary Group Session

Sessions run from 10am and last approximately two hours. Here is exactly what to expect — a well-paced, guided experience that works for groups of any size up to 50.

10:00am — Arrival

Welcome & Property Orientation

Your group arrives by coach or car and is met at the gate. We do a brief welcome and orientation — covering the property layout, what you'll see and do, and any accessibility considerations for individual members. There is no rush. We work at the pace of your group, not a timetable.

~10:15am — Introduction

Meet the Horses & Learn Their Story

You'll be introduced to Dusty May, Hercules, Jax and Murphy one by one. We explain the history of the Clydesdale in Australia — from colonial farming to the mechanisation that nearly wiped the breed out, and the dedicated breeders who brought them back. This is a proper story, told properly. Murphy, our resident donkey, is usually trying to insert himself at this point.

~10:40am — Interaction

Hands-On Time With the Clydesdales

Members who wish to can spend time up close with the horses — patting, feeding, and learning how to handle these gentle giants safely. There is no obligation to get involved physically; plenty of members prefer to watch and photograph. Both are equally valid ways to enjoy the experience. Our horses are accustomed to large groups and remain calm and responsive throughout.

~11:15am — Working Demonstration

Watch Them Work — A Living History Demonstration

This is the centrepiece of the session. You'll see the Clydesdales performing the kind of work their breed was born for — harnessed, in action, demonstrating the skill and strength that made them indispensable to Australian agriculture for over a century. It is genuinely impressive at any age. We explain what is happening, why it matters, and how techniques have been preserved.

~11:45am — Close

Q&A, Photos & Farewell

We close with open time for questions, group photographs with the horses and a chance to purchase any keepsakes. Most groups wrap up by midday, leaving plenty of time to head into Bulahdelah for lunch at the bakery or to visit the local information centre before heading home. We're happy to suggest routes and stops for your return journey.

Dusty May the Clydesdale at Bulahdelah Clydesdales

Accessibility & Logistics

Built for Real-World Groups

Community groups come in all shapes and abilities. We've designed the experience so that every member of your Rotary club can participate comfortably — from the most mobile to those who need a little more support.

✓ Wheelchair accessible viewing areas — level ground throughout the main demonstration area, suitable for all mobility aids.
✓ No steep terrain — the property has been arranged so that group members do not need to navigate steps, steep slopes or uneven ground to see the full session.
✓ Coach and mini-bus parking on site — no shuttle or transfer needed. Your vehicle parks at the gate and your group walks straight in.
✓ Toilet facilities available — always helpful when you have a group of 30 or more.
✓ Shaded seating — for members who prefer to observe from a comfortable position rather than stand for the full session.
✓ Flexible pace — we move at the pace of your group, not a stopwatch. If someone needs more time, we take it.
✓ Groups up to 50 people — the session format handles the full range comfortably. Larger Rotary chapters may wish to enquire about split sessions.

Getting Here: Bulahdelah is located on the Pacific Highway, approximately 2.5 hours north of Sydney and 2 hours south of Port Macquarie. It is a natural break point on any Mid North Coast touring route, making it easy to incorporate into a day trip without a significant detour.

What to Wear: Closed-toe shoes are recommended for anyone participating hands-on with the horses. Casual clothing is perfectly appropriate — this is a working property, not a formal event venue.

Note for Organisers: We do not host school groups, so your Rotary club outing will always be booked into a session with a like-minded adult audience. Bookings are confirmed by phone or via our group enquiry form, and we ask for a headcount 48 hours before your visit.

Pricing

Straightforward Group Pricing

Individual admission pricing below. For group bookings of 10 or more, please contact us directly — we will put together the right arrangement for your club.

Adults

$70

Per adult. Full 2-hour guided session.

Concession

$40

Seniors card, pension card holders.

Children

Free

Accompanied by a paying adult.

Groups 10+

POA

Call or enquire online for group rates.

Group enquiries: submit the form online or call 0434 523 344. We respond to all group enquiries within one business day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rotary Group FAQ

Everything your activity organiser needs to know before making the booking.

What is the maximum group size for a Rotary outing?

We comfortably accommodate groups of up to 50 people in a single session. If your Rotary chapter or district event is larger than 50, please contact us to discuss a split-session arrangement or a dedicated booking. We want every member to have a proper experience, not feel like they are watching from a distance.

Is the property accessible for members in wheelchairs or with limited mobility?

Yes. The main viewing and activity areas are on level ground and accessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. We have managed many community group visits where a proportion of the group needed accessibility support, and the session format is designed to include everyone. If you have specific requirements, mention them when you enquire and we will make sure everything is arranged in advance.

Is there coach and bus parking on site?

Yes. Full-size coaches and mini-buses can park directly on the property. There is no need for a shuttle transfer or street parking arrangement. Your driver can wait on site while the group does the session. We recommend notifying us of your vehicle size when you book so we can confirm access for any particularly large vehicles.

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

Group sessions typically run for approximately two hours, starting at 10am. The session covers welcome and orientation, introduction to the horses and their history, hands-on time with the Clydesdales, a working demonstration, and a close with time for photographs and questions. We finish by midday, which leaves your group plenty of time for lunch in Bulahdelah before heading on.

How do we book and what is the process for a group enquiry?

The easiest way is to submit our group enquiry form with your preferred date, approximate group size and any accessibility or logistics notes. Alternatively, call us directly on 0434 523 344. We respond to all group enquiries within one business day and will confirm availability, pricing and any other arrangements from there. We ask for a confirmed headcount 48 hours before the visit.

What should members bring or wear?

Closed-toe shoes are recommended for anyone who wants to go hands-on with the horses — open sandals and thongs are not suitable around working horses. Casual clothing is completely fine; there is no dress code. Members who prefer to observe from the viewing area can wear whatever is comfortable. We recommend bringing water, particularly in the warmer months, and sunscreen for outdoor time. There is no specialist equipment needed.

Can the outing be combined with other stops in Bulahdelah?

Absolutely — and most groups do exactly this. Bulahdelah has a well-regarded bakery ideal for a group morning tea or lunch stop, plus the local tourist information centre. The town is compact and easy to navigate by coach. Many Rotary groups turn the Clydesdales visit into a half-day or full-day itinerary combining the session with a Bulahdelah town stop and a scenic drive through the Myall Lakes area on the return journey.

Do you host school groups at the same time?

No. We do not host school groups, so your Rotary club visit will always be a dedicated adult community group session. You will not be sharing the session with children's school excursions. This matters for the tone and pace of the experience — it remains the kind of relaxed, genuine outing that community groups deserve.