Tourists with an interest in horses and the range of multi-million dollar stud farms in the Upper Hunter will have even more reason to ‘Come On Up’ for a weekend or more soon.
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A map has been finalised and the research is about to begin to compile a range of Upper Hunter Country Horse and Heritage Trail options for visitors and locals alike.
The drive trails will direct people around the various thoroughbred studs and through technology, such as downloadable apps and video and audio files, guests will be able to enjoy a virtual tour of the studs.
The trail concept is a project of the Upper Hunter Shire Council, who is working with the Muswellbrook Shire Council, Upper Hunter Country Tourism, the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association and stud owners to prepare the next generation virtual tour tool.
It ties in with the Upper Hunter Country Tourism Destination Management Plan’s aim of providing visitors to the area with a plan to keep them in the region longer.
Both Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook Shires will be covered and a range of drive trails will be available depending on the start point and time available.
Due to the close proximity of the horse studs, visitors will be able to embark on the interpretative trail and learn about the history, ownership and operation of the studs, as well as some interesting quirky facts and notable achievements.
Ultimately, the tours will also feature other landmark properties and interesting heritage locations within the shire, as well as promoting food and wine businesses within the region.
Although some of the larger thoroughbred studs in the region already offer tours by appointment, Upper Hunter Shire Council Economic Development and Tourism manager Sean Constable said the horse trails project is a very exciting new venture for the area.
He said the interpretative trails will provide the information about the studs, if visitors cannot enter that stud on the day.
Mr Constable said they have engaged local radio host and knowledgeable community member Mike Pritchard to carry out the research and create the audio files for the electronic app and downloadable file.
“We will start with the major stallion studs in the area with some of the larger studs already jumping on board.
“The studs and Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association have been very supportive of the project, which is great,” he said.
Mr Constable said he hopes the regional touring maps will start to appear early next year, which will kick off the launch of the tours.
These maps will replace existing signs in Scone, Denman, Gungal and Singleton.
