The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has improved horse riding facilities in Nightcap National Park and a local horse riding club are saddling up for the first ride of the year this Saturday.
NPWS Richmond River Ranger Andrew Fay said trails, signage, GPS technology and other facilities have been upgraded and are ready for the 20 to 40 horse riders to enjoy this weekend.
‘Following a consultation meeting with horse riders in 2013, signage and a designated trailer parking area for horse floats and horse holding yards are now in place,’ Mr Fay said.
‘Recycled plastic has also been used to create this infrastructure, making the project environmentally sustainable too,’ he said.
Park visitation by horse riders, mountain bikers and walkers is also being enriched with new technological developments.
‘NPWS and community recreation groups have developed Trackmap, which uses GPS technology to assist horse riders, mountain bikers and walkers to safely navigate tracks and trails in real time,’ Mr Fay said.
Wendy King from the Richmond River Trail Horse Riders Club said the group are looking forward to their first ride for 2017 through the world heritage listed rainforests of Nightcap National Park.
‘We have been liaising with NPWS and together we have worked out suitable routes for a safe and enjoyable first ride,’ Mrs King said.
‘We appreciate the work that is being done to improve the facilities and we are eager to get out there and have an enhanced riding experience,’ Mrs King said.
WTF !
Which particular fool is responsible for this idiotic idea ? As is stated This area is a National park, in fact a ‘World heritage National Park’ and is meant to be protected not only for this country , but for the World.
This is environmental vandalism. Horses carry numerous diseases and parasites and are notorious for spreading noxious weeds, in fact it is illegal to take a dog into this area but a half ton, diseased ridden,highly mobile weed-spreading, introduced animal is supposed to be acceptable ! ?????
The National Park Authority is supposed to be responsible for protecting this amazing Rainforest Remnant
and whoever is guilty of this travesty should be pursued to the full extent of the law, and then flogged !
G”)
“Trackmap” is actually an IOS only (apple) app but apparently they are having some licensing issues with it so its not on the app store at the moment.
Wow! this is really great! I wish there were more trails like this where responsible horse owners can ride their horses and appreciate our wonderful environments. This country was built on horse back yet there is becoming less and less places for people to ride or access with their horses. It is much better to have designated safe trails that can be managed and maintained responsibly then to have horse riders having to pick their way through busy roads or bush land. If people are concerned about horses doing damage to the environment maybe they should also consider all the highways,roads, trains, planes and cars we all like to use. You will find that people that enjoy bike riding, hiking and horse riding are generally people that appreciate and act responsibly to the natural environment and with their horses……Definitely hope to ride these trails and hope to see more of them in the future. Thank you!