As from 12th April 2014 three of the historic bridle tracks in the Deua and Monga National Parks became available to horse riders for a trial period of two years.
These are the Shoebridge Track, W.D.Tarlinton Track and Georges Pack Track.
Further details of these trials can be found on the National Parks website HERE
Time flies when you are having fun and the first year of the trial has already passed. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that it is a trial only. The tracks are being closely monitored for environmental damage. According to Tim Shepherd, Regional Manager NPWS for South Coast, “The trial will be monitored during the two year period, and 16 monitoring sites have been established and baseline data collected. Monitoring data and outcomes will be available on OEH website at: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/policies/HorseRiding.htm.”
At the time of writing there are no reports of the monitoring either good or bad on the website. There are some sceptics amongst us who are not confident that the outcome will be decided within the proposed two year time frame, as promised. For this reason we must maintain our vigilance.
We suggest groups planning to ride these tracks advise NPWS in Narooma. Although this is not a binding requirement of use, but keeping them informed is keeping them on side. Also AFA would like to receive reports from riders so that we can strengthen our representations and be confident in what we say.
NPWS also advise that, “If horse riding groups are intending to do any maintenance such a removal of fallen trees on the track using tools, prior consent is required. A limit of 20 horses per group applies.”
There is also a request (by National Parks) that users of these tracks fill out a survey which can be found HERE