A Proper Guide to Bulahdelah
Bulahdelah doesn't always get the credit it deserves. For most travellers on the Pacific Motorway, it's the town you pass through — the one with a servo and a sign for Myall Lakes National Park. But stop for a few hours, and you'll find a genuinely rewarding country town with good food, extraordinary natural scenery, and one experience that people specifically plan road trips around.
This guide covers everything worth doing in Bulahdelah NSW — written by people who've been welcoming visitors here for over 30 years. We'll start with the reason most visitors make the trip, and work through everything else worth your time while you're in the area.
"Bulahdelah is one of those NSW towns that quietly rewards anyone who actually stops. Most people drive through. The ones who stop always wish they'd planned more time."
#1 Thing to Do in Bulahdelah: The Clydesdales
If you ask anyone in town what to do in Bulahdelah, the answer is the same every time: the Clydesdales. Bulahdelah Clydesdales is a genuine working horse farm that has been welcoming visitors for more than 30 years. It's not a tourist park or a trail ride. It's a proper, hands-on encounter with working draught horses — Dusty May, Hercules, Jax, and Murphy — on the property they call home.
Sessions run for two hours starting at 10am and move through five stages: meeting the horses, watching a live working demonstration, handling the authentic leather harness equipment, spending close-up time hand-feeding and photographing the horses, and an open Q&A with someone who has spent three decades working Clydesdales on Australian land. Every session is unhurried. Nobody gets moved along.
Prices: Adults $70 • Children $40 • Under 10s free (with a paying adult). Groups of 10 or more receive a special rate — use the Group Enquiry form or call 0434 523 344.
Exit the Pacific Motorway at Bulahdelah and follow the signs. Just a few minutes from the town centre. Easy parking for both cars and coaches. Call 0434 523 344 for the property gate address before you arrive.
What Happens During Your 2-Hour Session
Every session is structured, unhurried, and genuinely hands-on. Here's how two hours at the farm unfolds:
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1Arrival & Introduction Get settled in undercover seating and be introduced to the horses — each with their own name, personality, and history on the property.
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2Live Working Demonstration Watch the Clydesdales actually work — doing what they were bred to do on Australian farms. Real farm work, not a rehearsed performance.
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3Heavy Horse Harness Display Handle authentic leather collar, hames, and traces. Living Australian agricultural heritage — with the full story of how each piece was used and why it was built that way.
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4Meet, Feed & Photograph Get right in close. Hand-feed Dusty May, Hercules, Jax, and Murphy. Take as many photos as you like. No rush — this is genuine time with extraordinary animals.
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5Questions & Open Time Ask anything — about the horses, the property, Clydesdale breeding and care, or what it takes to keep working draught horses on a modern Australian farm. We never run out of things to talk about.
A visitor during a morning session at Bulahdelah Clydesdales — this is what genuine hands-on interaction with working horses looks like.
Accessibility at the Farm
The farm has been set up to welcome everyone. We regularly host visitors using wheelchairs, walker frames, and mobility scooters — and have done for decades. If you have specific access requirements, call ahead and we'll confirm everything is in place before you arrive.
More Things to Do in Bulahdelah NSW
The Clydesdales are the main event, but Bulahdelah has more going for it than most people realise. Here's the honest guide to everything else worth doing in and around town.
Bulahdelah Clydesdales
The standout experience. Two hours with working Clydesdale horses on a genuine farm. Nothing else in the area comes close. Book in advance — sessions fill up fast, especially on weekends.
Bulahdelah Bakery
A true local legend. The Bulahdelah Bakery's meat pies and pastries have been pulling travellers off the motorway for years. Stop before or after the farm. Don't leave town without one.
Bulahdelah Tourist Info Centre
A genuinely useful stopping point in town. Coffee, clean bathrooms, friendly local staff, and all the maps and tips you need for the wider area — Myall Lakes, Seal Rocks, the walking tracks.
Myall Lakes National Park
Right on Bulahdelah's doorstep — one of the most spectacular national parks in NSW. Pristine coastal lakes, untouched beaches, exceptional birdlife, boating, fishing, and world-class camping.
The Grandis — NSW's Tallest Tree
A short walk from the town centre, the Grandis is a massive flooded gum standing over 76 metres tall — genuinely one of the tallest trees in New South Wales. Free to visit, and genuinely awe-inspiring.
Bulahdelah Mountain Walk
A rewarding walk up the mountain above town with sweeping views over the Myall Valley and surrounding bush. Two to three hours return. A favourite with locals, increasingly discovered by visitors.
How Long Should You Spend in Bulahdelah?
Most visitors pass through in under 20 minutes. The ones who stop for a proper visit typically spend half a day to a full day in and around town — and they're always glad they did.
A suggested plan: arrive by 9:30am, grab a pie from the Bulahdelah Bakery, head to the farm for the 10am Clydesdales session. Finished by noon. Then a short stop at the Tourist Information Centre, a walk to the Grandis, and an afternoon drive into Myall Lakes. That's a full, completely satisfying day.
Groups doing a day trip from Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, or Sydney often plan the Clydesdales as their anchor activity and build the rest of the day around it. It works perfectly as a structure.
Best Time of Year to Visit
Bulahdelah and the Clydesdales are good year-round — the farm runs sessions every season. But some times of year suit different purposes:
Spring
Sep–Nov. Mild weather, wildflowers in Myall Lakes, minimal crowds. Best overall window for the farm plus the national park.
Autumn
Mar–May. Settled weather, exceptional light. Fewer travellers than summer on the motorway. Ideal for a relaxed full day.
Summer
Dec–Feb. Busier and warmer. Great for Myall Lakes swimming. The 10am session wraps before the heat peaks. Book well ahead.
Winter
Jun–Aug. Quiet and clear. Farm sessions run year-round. The bush walks are lovely in cool weather. Still book ahead — sessions can fill.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I book the Clydesdale session?
As early as you can — especially in school holidays, on weekends, and during October–April. Sessions accommodate up to 50 people but they do fill, particularly on weekends and school holiday periods. Call 0434 523 344 or use the online booking form to check what's available.
How do I book a group visit?
Groups of 10 or more should use the Group Enquiry form for a tailored rate and availability check. We welcome community clubs, retirement outings, bus tours, bowls clubs, Probus groups, family reunions, and similar. All group bookings are for adults 18 and over. Contact us well in advance — group spots are limited and popular dates get reserved early.
What else is there to do near Bulahdelah?
Quite a lot. Myall Lakes National Park is minutes from town — one of NSW's best. The Grandis is a free 20-minute stop. The Bulahdelah Mountain Walk takes 2–3 hours and has great views. The Bulahdelah Bakery is a must. Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest on the Myall River are 30 minutes away for a relaxed afternoon. Seal Rocks beach is a spectacular 45-minute drive through the national park.
How long should I plan to spend in Bulahdelah?
Half a day minimum if you're coming for the Clydesdales. The session runs 2 hours from 10am, finished by noon. Add the Bakery, Tourist Information Centre, and a walk to the Grandis and you've got a genuinely full morning. Combine it with Myall Lakes in the afternoon and it's one of the better days you'll have on the mid-north coast.
What is the best time of year to visit Bulahdelah?
Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are the most comfortable and least crowded. Summer is busiest but great for Myall Lakes swimming — just book everything in advance. Winter sessions are warm and sheltered due to undercover seating, and the quiet roads make for a lovely drive. Avoid arriving without a booking in January or at Easter.
Is the Clydesdale experience suitable for all ages?
Yes — families with children are very welcome. Children under 10 are free, children 10 and over pay the child rate of $40. Older visitors and those with mobility aids are fully catered for with wheelchair access, undercover seating, walker-friendly layout, and a portable toilet on site. Note that group bookings (10 or more people) are for adults 18 and over.
Where exactly is the farm?
The farm is in Bulahdelah NSW 2423. Exit the Pacific Motorway at Bulahdelah — just a few minutes from the town centre. Call 0434 523 344 for the property address and exact directions to the gate. Ample parking for cars and coaches on site.
