The outer mountains of Chapman Valley- slightly charred but still beautiful!

Bushfire Update: We’re okay! There was minimal damage to some of our outer mountains, but overall we were very lucky!

Due to the closure on Putty Road from both the North and the South, we had no other option than to close for the 8 weeks from November to early January. We received a huge number of messages and inquiries from you all so we’d like to say THANKS HEAPS! Here’s the gist of it: luckily, we have been largely unaffected by the bushfires and now that the road closures have been lifted, we’re happy to announce that we are back up and running! 

We are very lucky to avoid the extensive damage from when the fires came past us, managing to contain the fire-front in the outer areas of the property and preserving the center. So thankfully, the heart of the property, the riding trails and the majority of the campsites remained unharmed. We are all safe and are slowly returning back to normal, catching up on farm work that slipped past us while we were fighting the fires. 

We were fortunate enough to receive two inches of rain in the thunderstorms that started these fires – which meant that our paddocks were nice and green when the fire reached us. This acted as a firebreak and was a great help in controlling the fires. 

So What Exactly Happened Here During the Bushfires? 

The main question that people have been asking us is: Did we evacuate? No, we didn’t. (This was the safest place for all of us to be!) 

The Tree of Life

As the bushfire was coming down the mountain towards us, the cows were at the bottom of the mountain happily grazing–just another day. They and the horses really were calm as a paddock full of cucumbers (hehe … quite the visual, right?). They instinctively knew that the fire was steady and calm – so they could remain calm. The houses, buildings and the rest of the paddocks have come through unscathed. When you do come back to visit us, you’ll find that the center of the property is kind of like this little unburnt haven. You’ll drive through plenty of burnt country along the Putty Road, yet here we are in the center, pretty much the same as always. On the outskirts of the property, you can see where the mountains are burnt, but it’s amazing to see how quickly and energetically the land regenerates. Come and see for yourself! Book a horse ride and camping to see the bushland healing, with the majority of our campsites unaffected, the land is still beautiful, just in its own unique way!

We’re business as usual here with all the animals here completely fine and no operational damage. However, there are several people around Australia who are not quite as lucky as we were and our thoughts go out to everybody who is dealing with the fires and it’s the aftermath.

Our riders exploring the enchanting burnt forest

Want to help us? Book a Camping and a Horse Ride!

Many people have been messaging us saying, “How can we help? Can we donate supplies? Can we donate money?” I’d say simply: come and visit us! Book a horse ride, book a campsite or better yet, both! That’s the biggest thing that you can do for us. Of all of our bush campsites only three of them are temporarily closed to protect the trees while they regenerate – but all other sites are ready and waiting for you to visit!

Our little campers enjoying some Jenga at one of our bush campsites (Photo by Matthew & Jenny Ronald)

So if you really want to support us: Bring your family and friends over for a weekend camping and get back into the saddle! After all, Chapman Valley is still Sydney’s best-kept secret, known for its spacious private bush campsites and a large variety of native wildlife-you’re sure to enjoy every bit of it! After 8 weeks of R&R, the horses miss having new and familiar faces giving them lots of carrots and cuddles. So, they’d be more than happy to take you for a tour around the property. Check out our available rides here.

Need a prezzie for someone? Purchase a horse riding gift card! (a brilliant gift that you can give a loved one- an experience of a lifetime!)

Worth Mentioning: Don’t forget our farmers are still around, battling the worst drought on record. You can also support our farmers by buying direct, supporting their secondary business adventures, or by donating to Rural Aid – who is a massive help! Many farmers received a $300 grocery gift card just before Christmas – thanks to Rural Aid! Not to mention their amazing support lines! https://www.ruralaid.org.au/

Backburning operations at Putty

Lastly, a massive thank you to Chapman Valley’s Local RFS Brigades Putty and Howes Valley, and all of the brigades that traveled to assist. These volunteers have worked tirelessly fighting the fires and have spent time away from their own families to help protect local lives and properties – all entirely on a volunteer basis. These people are true blue!

We are ready for you! Plans for 2020 and Beyond.

There’s going to be a couple of small changes and some really big exciting things! First off! We’ve just released the new dates for our special events ahead in 2020 and they’re most likely to sell out soon, so make sure to book now:

• 2-Day Cattle Muster
• 3-Day Cattle Muster
• 4 Hour Experienced Rides
• Everyday Rides
• Valentine’s Day Package

Chapman Valley Horse Riding

Weekday Rides Update: We’re taking a little break from doing midweek rides for the first few months of the year so we can focus on the drought, feeding the cows and giving the horses an extra break during the week. We may be able to arrange the occasional weekday ride on a by-request basis, reach out if you’re interested! 

Let us know your thoughts: Got any questions or comments?

Send us an email at ride@chapmanvalleyhorseriding.com

Camping FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Horse Riding FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

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Stay tuned for more awesome things happening in 2020. We’re looking forward to seeing you all. We hope everyone had a wonderful time over Christmas and New Year’s. See you all again soon!