Discover a day of ‘wine and bridles’ – the new must-do experience in the Adelaide Hills

While the region is well-known for its cellar door lifestyle, Hills trail riding has mostly been a well-kept secret among the region’s horse lovers. But it’s unlikely to stay secret for long. Our correspondent was frankly shocked to discover you can do a one-hour trail ride through spectacular – and little-seen – country for just $80.

“We basically offer an ‘instructional ride’ through our 200-acre property,” says Rachele Taylor of Templewood Horse Riding Centre. “Our horses are suitable for all types of riders. And because we’ve got the instructional component, we can cater to absolute beginners.”

Trail riders don’t need to bring any kit – nor, for that matter, any experience. When our correspondent confesses to being ‘a sloppy hack with no tickets on himself’ the instructor laughs. “Not having tickets on yourself is a good thing,” she says. “Horses have a way of bringing you down to earth – with a thud!”

After coaching for 34 years, there’s not much Rachele doesn’t know about horses. She knows the property, too: her parents have run the centre for 50 years on the family’s Inglewood farm, located a few minutes from Millbrook Reservoir and 10km from Modbury.

The hour-long ride starts in a small covered arena, where riders are introduced to their mounts. Our horse is a handsome grey gelding called Tarantino; he’s part Andalusian and part riding pony, and wears a fine English saddle. Rachele quickly assesses her rider’s abilities and comfort levels, and offers some simple instruction to improve handling and posture.

Then it’s out into the property.

Part of the joy is being introduced to a hitherto hidden part of the Adelaide Hills. Templewood’s deep green vales are surrounded by stately gum trees and amazing views over surrounding ranges – including the hills of Lenswood to the south, and peaks to the north extending to the lower Barossa. As we ride through rolling paddocks, the light is soft, the air tastes fresh and cool, and grazing kangaroos barely stir as the horses pass by.

The open country affords us the luxury of practising our trotting and cantering, while traversing steeper slopes allow us to improve balance. That said, the views are so impressive it’s often a case of stopping to take them in, occasionally enlivened by some history of the property from Rachele.

The hour ends too soon, although for the unconditioned rider, the term ‘riding fit’ soon begins to make sense: after an hour in the saddle, there’s parts of the anatomy that one didn’t know one had. But this is precisely why the experience dovetails so beautifully with a long lunch at a local cellar door…

From Templewood, it’s just 5 minutes’ drive to the Inglewood Inn (enjoying spectacular views), 10 minutes to Mt Bera winery/restaurant (serving on a gorgeous deck), and 20 minutes to Lenswood’s heavenly trio of elevated eat/drink retreats comprising Anderson Hill Wines, Pike & Joyce and Mt Lofty Ranges. If you’re anything like us, you’ll arrive smelling faintly of saddle leather and horse sweat – but you’ll also have a glow from cantering across open country and a buzz from having improved (however slightly) as a rider.

When your bottle of wine arrives, you’ll be toasting a morning well spent on saddles and Shiraz. Don’t be surprised if it becomes a regular thing.

Templewood Horse Riding Centre, Inglewood

Open: Wednesday to Sunday

Cost: $80 per person; $3 helmet hire. Minimum two riders, ideally up to six. 

Trot off to a winery for lunch: Inglewood Inn (Inglewood), Kersbrook Hill (Kersbrook), Mt Bera Vineyards (Gumeracha), Anderson Hill Cellar Door Restaurant, Pike & Joyce Wines and Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard (all Lenswood).

Megan Jones Riding School, Hahndorf

Run by Olympian, Megan Jones, Kirby Park Stud near Hahndorf offers trail rides across the 100-acre property off River Road.

Open: Wednesday to Sunday

Cost: $95 per person

Trot off to a winery for lunch: Sidewood Estate, Somerled Wines, Hahndorf Hill Winery, The Lane Vineyard (all Hahndorf).

Nyroca Riding Centre, One Tree Hill

Nyroca Riding Centre lies between the Adelaide Hills and Barossa. As well as lessons, it offers trail rides from one to two hours across the 300-acre property.

Open: Check website – booking times vary

Cost: From $90 per person

Trot off to a winery for lunch: Tenafeate Creek Wines (Yattalunga)

Classic Carriage Drives, Montacute

If you’re not up to riding you can enjoy much of the same experience thanks to Classic Carriage Drives. Located in Montacute, it regularly offers 45-minute rides along Fifth Creek in Montacute Valley – a sublime stretch of forest, vines, market gardens and paddocks.

Open: Rides are offered weekends and weekdays, times are flexible

Cost: $180 per 45 minute carriage ride (seating up to 6 passengers)

Trot off to a winery for lunch: Greenhill Wines Cellar Door & Café, Summertown Aristologist (both Summertown) and the Uraidla Hotel (featuring the region’s largest wine collection).