Possum Brush: Nature and Horse Riding

Possum Brush is on the Barrington Coast in New South Wales, just off the Pacific Highway and between Taree and Forster-Tuncurry. A specific connection with nature in the area can be found at Clarendon Forest Retreat, whose property is within Talawahl Nature Reserve. When looking for a holiday rental, it can matter whether you’re planning nature experiences at your accommodation or activities as an outing.

Forest, Wildlife and Views

The 100-acre property is surrounded by 16,600 hectares of state forest and conservation area. These figures describe different scales: the retreat grounds and the larger surrounding forest and conservation area. The retreat also offers a setting for forest bathing on the property; this accommodation offering may change. Various wallaby species and reptiles live there; a sugar glider has also been sighted occasionally. Encounters with these animals are not guaranteed. In the area around the retreat, fire trails lead to Breakneck Lookout, which offers views of the coast and surrounding hills. Check route conditions and access to the lookout before setting out. Wildlife watching on the property and the walk to a lookout are therefore two nature experiences with different characteristics.

Trails, Horse Riding and Tours

Gracies Loop starts just outside the entrance to Clarendon Forest Retreat. The challenging, one-hour circuit passes through sections of preserved rainforest. Duration and difficulty provide different points of reference: one hour indicates the time required, while the challenging rating describes the nature of the trail. Check trail conditions and access before hiking. Talawahl Nature Reserve also offers four-wheel-drive and trail-bike tours, hiking, cycling and horse riding.

Sowter Equestrian is a five-minute drive from Clarendon Forest Retreat and offers trail rides through Talawahl Nature Reserve for all experience levels. Blue Metal Equestrian in Possum Brush offers coaching, clinics and protocol days. This means trail rides through the reserve and other horse-riding activities with a different focus are both available. Sowter’s bookings and operating conditions may change; check them in advance. For Blue Metal, check specific dates before planning.

Sports and Swimming at the Retreat

Guests at Clarendon Forest Retreat have exclusive use of a 12-metre saltwater pool. Retreat guests can also use a tennis court with racquets and balls, basketball, soccer goals and a soccer ball, and a badminton set free of charge. If the pool or sports facilities are important factors in choosing a holiday rental, check their current availability before your stay; operating details may change.

For planning your day, it makes a difference whether you prefer activities right at your accommodation or plan an outing: the pool and sports facilities are at the retreat, Gracies Loop starts outside its entrance, and Sowter Equestrian is a five-minute drive away. You can therefore sort the options described by their location and focus, rather than treating them as a single offering.

Discover more destinations: Woodstock, Deauville, Grose Wold, Lake Munmorah, Karuah, Myocum, Pymble, St Marys

For the broader travel overview: New South Wales.