FAQs

How do I book?

Booking is easy! You can book online through this link: https://woodlandstrailriding.com.au/book/

If you have any questions, please contact us via email to bookings@woodlands.melbourne or
by telephone: 1300 WOODLANDS (966 352).

I have a Groupon voucher, how do I make a booking?

Please email bookings@woodlands.melbourne with a copy of your Groupon voucher with the voucher code and security code. Check our website for live availability to request your preferred dates and times.

Where can I find you?

We are located only 5 minutes from Melbourne’s International Airport Terminal or 30 minutes from Melbourne’s Central Business District. Our address is 10 St Johns Road Oaklands Junction Victoria 3063. Use this address and do not enter any other Woodlands into your GPS.

Do I have to be able to ride a horse to participate in equine assisted activities?

No. We have a variety of activity  options available to suit our customer requirements. However, part of our booking process asks basic questions about each participant so that we can understand and assess your individual competency. If you have booked an equine assisted activity requiring you to ride the horse, it is a basic requirement that you are confident about learning and communicating basic commands to your horse, such as: asking them to stop, go, turn left and right.

What are your Operating Hours?

Our general office hours are 8:30am-5:00pm, and lessons and trail rides are per timings on our booking platform.

How can I contact you?

You can contact us at 1300 WOODLANDS (966 352) or email us on bookings@woodlands.melbourne

Why is your maximum weight allowance 100kg for ridden equine assisted activities?

The health and wellbeing of our horses is our number one priority.

What's our cancellation policy?

Please refer to our terms and conditions page:

https://woodlandstrailriding.com.au/terms-and-conditions/

I need to move or change a booking. How can I do this?

All general bookings changes are to be requested with at least 24 hours notice to the day of the original booking. For corporate, large groups or catered events such as birthdays, we require a minimum 48 hours notice. You can do this by contacting us and quoting your booking reference number when calling 1300 WOODLANDS, or simply email us marked ‘urgent’ to bookings@woodlands.melbourne

My booking was recently postponed due to weather/other reasons. How can I re-book?

You have up to 6 months to re-book any postponed booking. You can do this by booking online and entering the gift card code at the payment section.

Can I change my booking once made?

You are able to amend your booking, subject to availability and a minimum 24 hours notice period.  Please refer to our terms and conditions of business: https://woodlandstrailriding.com.au/terms-and-conditions/

Once booked, what do I need to know to prepare for my visit?

All booking confirmations and reminders will be emailed to your nominated email address. 

THINGS TO NOTE:

1. Wear long pants and covered shoes such as runners/sneakers or boots. Inappropriate clothing will result in forfeit of your booking.

2. We will provide helmets.

3. Arrival time is 15-30 minutes prior to start time, depending on which session you have booked. Latecomers will result in forfeit of the session. All Horse Riding Tours, Introduction to Trail Riding and Birthday Parties are required to arrive 30 minutes prior to start time. All lessons, pony rides and equine assisted activities are required to arrive 15 minutes prior to start time. 

4. You will also be asked to complete a horse-related activities consent, as a mandatory requirement, prior to arrival. This is provided to you as a fully electronic (blue) link and will take no longer than 1 minute of you time to complete.

5. Check in at reception upon arrival. If reception is unattended, come back 5 minutes before your scheduled check in time as they may be on a toilet break, otherwise, take a seat at the picnic tables and the instructor will come to get you at the designated collection time.

What if it rains?

Our tours still operate in the rain.  Should the weather be too severe to safely operate, we will notify you on the day and offer to reschedule your booking.

What should I wear?

You are required to wear:

A helmet. We provide this as a compulsory safety measure for each rider. If a helmet cannot be worn for any reason, please give us a call to discuss if any special arrangement can be made.

It is expected that you also wear/bring your own flat and enclosed shoes/boots and long pants and weather appropriate clothing. Inappropriate clothing will result in forfeit of the session.

Why do I need to arrive 15-30 minutes before our scheduled booking time?

Both horse and rider safety is our number one priority. We use this time to check your waivers, fit you with a suitable helmet and conduct a demonstration for your scheduled activity. All Horse Riding Tours, Introduction to Trail Riding and Birthday Parties are required to arrive 30 minutes prior to start time. All lessons, pony rides and equine assisted activities are required to arrive 15 minutes prior to start time. Latecomers will result in forfeit of your booking.

What happens if I arrive late?

Generally you forfeit your booking, unless a separate arrangement has been made with us. As it is a requirement to arrive 15-30 minutes prior to departure time, if you arrive 15 minutes after start time, you will forfeit your session. Please refer to our terms and conditions of business: https://woodlandstrailriding.com.au/termsandconditions

What happens if I do not attend my scheduled session time?

Unless you have made prior arrangements, you forfeit your booking. Please refer to our terms and conditions of business: https://woodlandstrailriding.com.au/terms-and-conditions

Where do I park?

For our riding school at Woodlands Lodge, drive all the way down the driveway, the car park is at the end past the private residence.

Are children allowed to participate in any of the Woodlands experiences?

Of course. There is a variety of riding experiences available consummate with age and riding competency. To participate in the 1 Horse Riding Tour, you need to be a minimum of 7 years of age and authorised by an adult. For those under 7 years of age, we offer Riding Lessons, Learn to Ride sessions and Pony Rides. Our School Holiday Programs are designed for children between the ages of 7 and 18 years of age.

What is the age requirement to ride a horse/Is this safe for kids?

You need to be 2 years of age to adult to participate in our equine assisted activities. We have a variety of ponies and horses to suit those from beginner through to advanced level competency. Ponies and horses are selected to match the level and height/weight of the participants.

Can I bring belongings to my booking?

We provide lockers at the stables or we can supply a bum bag if required for necessary items, as part of any equine assisted activity you may have booked in for. This allows you to bring personal belongings that will securely fit inside. We do not accept liability of any items that you bring which may end up damaged. We do not hold any personal items of our participants on premises. Mobile phones are strictly forbidden to be used whilst on a horse except for staff who will take photos for you.

How can I pay?

Online Payments: By Credit Card

Corporate/Business Bookings: By Invoice or Credit Card

NDIS: By Invoice or Credit Card

Does the 10 sessions follow the school term?

No, the 10 session package runs over 10 consecutive weeks unless requested. Other than public holidays, it will run weekly. During school holidays, any sessions after 3pm will be moved to an earlier time slot or postponed to after school holidays as requested. Packages are to be used within 6 months unless otherwise specified. If you need to change your booking time, please email bookings@woodlands.melbourne

Where can I download my photos and/or videos?

Instructors will take photos and/or videos and can be downloaded via a link emailed to you automatically after each session. Please check your junk mail as well, if you cannot find the email, you can also click “Download My Images” on our website. Content is usually uploaded within 48 hours unless any issues occur.

Do I need to be fully vaccinated?

No, it is not a requirement to participant in Woodlands activities, however, it is at your own risk, and COVID-19 basic guidelines still apply such as checking in, staying home if ill, maintaining social distancing, hygiene and so on.

Contact 1300 WOODLANDS or complete your booking below: