Horse Riding in the Kimberleys

One of Hannahs top 10 to do's on the trip was horse riding, so we thought we'd make our first stop along the Gibb River Road at Birdwood Downs, a 5000acre working cattle station that offers horse riding. After a stop in Derby on the way from Broome we arrived at the station to be greeted by Robyn the owner who was well and truly weathered by a life on the land. She kept referring to the kids as the 'youngens' and quickly told them where not to run around!

Our ride was in the morning at 7.30 and some of the horses decided to join us for dinner!


Hannah's excitement showed as this was the first morning of the whole trip so far...2 months....that we didnt have to wake her. While we were having breakfast we heard a man calling out Pajo! Pajo! followed shortly after by the sound of thundering hoofs and about 12 horses galloping right past our camp! The kids downed their bacon and eggs and went running over. They ended up spending about 40mins with Linda and Vince the horse handlers, grooming the horses, picking burs out of their mains and cleaning their horse shoes.

The ride was great, Ben and Mighty Mouse got on well, and Hannah just loved Pajo (pronounced Paho). After declaring to the handlers that he didnt like horses, Scott coped quite well!  We road past a 1500 year old tree, and even did some cattle mustering!

After the ride the kids brushed the horses off and gave them some food. We packed up and I spent half an hour chatting to Robyn who filled me in on the effects the recent live cattle export ban, before heading back on the Gibb River towards Windjana Gorge.