Cochran Horse Treks · Yaouk, Snowy Mountains, Australia
Ride "Man from Snowy River" country with a fifth-generation mountain cattleman
Cochran Horse Treks has been run for over 25 years by Peter Cochran, a fifth-generation Snowy Mountains cattleman, riding the high country of Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales. Camps sit by the Murrumbidgee River at Yaouk and out on the high plains among snow gums, cattlemen's huts and wild brumbies. Rides range from three days to the two premier seven-day treks that travel 150 km across the mountains to the Man from Snowy River Festival at Corryong.
Multi-day mountain trekking requires intermediate-level riding or above: a confident rider, saddle-fit, able to rise to the trot and canter under control in open country and to mount and dismount unaided. No lessons are offered and the shortest trek is three days, covering more than 20 km a day.
Hand-picked for temperament and worked in by the guides before guests ride them.
Each day rides out in a different direction from a mountain base camp, across the high plains, along rivers and up to the tops for the views, with a relaxed morning billy tea and a lunch break, returning to camp around 3 to 4pm. Some treks move base camp along the way; the two premier rides travel 150 km across the mountains to the Man from Snowy River Festival at Corryong.
Comfortable three-person tents and swags in camp, with all meals cooked in camp. Some November rides use The Pines, a heritage stockman's cottage at Currango Homestead.
All meals provided in camp.
Best months: October to May
The operating season runs from October to May.
Nearest airport: Canberra (CBR)
Transfers: Home base is Yaouk, 22 km north of Adaminaby; a fly-in transfer from Canberra to Yaouk is available (about A$290 return).
Reached by road from Canberra or via the Snowy Mountains Highway.
