South Kaipara Horse Treks and Holiday Rides in Helensville , Kaipara District, New Zealand | Horse riding | Horseback Riding

South Kaipara Horse Treks and Holiday Rides offer a range of shorter rides if you can't spare the time for a full week-long riding holiday in Helensville, Northland, New Zealand.

Half Day Treks: This 2 - 3 hour ride takes you over farmland to an altitude of 150m (500 feet), through Woodhill State Forest and onto Muriwai Beach. Along the way you will see cattle and sheep grazing in large paddocks, the Kaipara Harbour in the east and a panoramic view of Muriwai Settlement, 50km (30 miles) of beach and the Kaipara Break to the north.

This ride follows a lake edge south, with mature kanuka trees flanking the western track side, then heads through man-made radiate pine forest to Muriwai Beach. Here, you may see seabirds, seals or even fish in the surf, before heading back to base on a different trail.

Full Day Treks: Our full-day ride covers more country, so you can get to the highest point in South Head, or maybe ride for 13km (8 miles) along Muriwai Beach before a forest ride home. A tasty lunch is included, and if there are more than four in your group a gourmet feast will be delivered to a pre-arranged lunch spot in the forest of by the lake.

Overnight Treks: You'll begin with a forest ride to the lakes where horses and riders can swim if desired. Lunch is usually beside the lake or in the forest, before an afternoon of forest tracks opening to an historic farm of 1012ha (2500 acres). You'll spend the night in converted shearer's quarters. These sleep 12 people in six rooms, and feature two showers, two toilets, a large kitchen/dining area and a long verandah. Share the view with your hosts around a barbeque.

Next day the return journey takes you to the tip of the South Head peninsula where the Kaipara Harbour meets the Tasman Sea - the views are really spectacular! Crossing the wilderness flats you will pass (and ride on if you want) sand dunes up to 20 metres (60 feet) in height. Then it's out onto the beach and nothing but sand and surf. You will cover 16km (10 miles) of Muriwai Beach before re-entering Woodhill Forest on your homeward trail. (These days vary depending on tides.)

South Kaipara Horse Treks and Holiday Rides offer longer trips too in Helensville, Northland:

Riding Holidays: South Kaipara Head is one of the most beautiful and untouched areas of New Zealand, and our riding holidays give you the opportunity to explore in depth the uninhabited beach, green fields, cool forest, dramatic sand dunes and picturesque lakes.

These pre-booked treks are normally three to five days in length, but we can customise the itinerary to suit your needs. They are ideal for the rider who wants something "more than just another trail ride". Pricing varies according to the ride we design for you.

Normal riding times is five to seven hours per day, but perhaps you would prefer to ride for shorter periods spread over a couple more days. Or maybe you'd like to try your hand at some stock work by taking part in a cattle drive.