An Unforgettable Ride Through Nature!
Come and experience our horses on a calm, relaxing ride through beautiful scenery.
Experience the calm and joy of riding our horses
Through our beautiful Rainbow Themed Memorial Reserve.
Keep reading to discover all the ways you can laugh, connect and make memories with our Johnny and Cuddles!
SPOILER ALERT — It’s pure magic!
This afternoon out will create memories that will last a LIFETIME..
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Ride side by side with a friend through our quiet, beautiful reserve and enjoy the fresh air, nature, and time together in the saddle.
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Slow down and soak up the peaceful surroundings as you wander along the trails, sharing the experience with both your horse and your riding partner.
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Capture the moment with a few photos along the way and make memories of a ride you’ll be talking about long after you leave.
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Feed them tasty treats and watch their curious faces light up — it’s impossible not to smile.
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Sit quietly with them and just enjoy their gentle company, letting their calm and warmth rub off on you.
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Capture the day with photos, memories, and the chance to fall a little bit in love with our beautiful horses — just like we did.
...and so much more LOVE & FUN to have!
Keep scrolling and discover all the incredible things you'll be able to experience!
Here are some more details about this
AMAZING EXPERIENCE
A Unique Riding Experience, Your Way
Whether you choose a full trail ride, a half lesson + half ride, or add in some grooming time, every experience is designed to suit you. It’s not just a ride — it’s your ride.
Time to Connect — With Horses and Each Other
There’s something special about sharing a ride with a friend, partner, or family member. Conversations flow easier, laughs come naturally, and the connection feels effortless.
Learn While You Ride
Want to build your skills? Our half lesson + trail option gives you the best of both worlds — confidence and guidance in the arena, followed by a relaxing ride to put it all into practice.
Hands-On Horse Time
Add grooming to your experience and spend time getting to know your horse before or after your ride. It’s a chance to slow down, connect, and enjoy those quiet, meaningful moments.
Make a Day of It with a Picnic
Bring your own picnic or let us organise one for you. After your ride, there’s nothing better than sitting back, soaking up the surroundings, and enjoying good food and great company.
Memories You’ll Keep Long After the Ride
From scenic moments on the trail to the bond you build with your horse, this is the kind of experience that stays with you — captured in photos, stories, and that “we should do that again” feeling.
Menu for Picnic & What is Included in the Experience
Picnic Lunch Menu
Make your visit even more special with a beautifully prepared picnic, perfect for enjoying on our rainbow themed reserve.
Each Picnic Lunch Includes your choice of wraps or sandwhichs: Ham & Salad. Chicken, Cheese & Avocado. Salmon, Rocket & Cream Cheese
- Chips
- Chocolate Cake
- Seasonal Fruit
- A drink of your choice: Water, Sparkling Water, Fruit Juice, Coke / Diet Coke
The Trail Ride
Slow down, breathe out, and spend time with our gentle, affectionate donkeys. It’s the perfect feel-good experience for families, animal lovers, or anyone wanting a relaxing countryside escape.
What’s Included
- Pat, groom & bond with our friendly donkeys
- Take them for a quiet walk, with treats provided
- Snap plenty of photos as they lap up the attention
- After your hour, walk them back to their paddock with our staff member, or unwind on our beautiful reserve — the ideal picnic destination
- Optional pony rides available for an extra touch of fun
Couples
Family's
Friends
Don't Just Take it From Me!
Here are a few more happy customers
Mitch
Leigh
*Testimonials on this site were received via text, email, video submission or posted on our various social media accounts. They are individual experiences, and may not be typical. These are examples and not a guarantee. Your horses results will vary.
In Case We Haven’t Met Yet…
A little more about us! 👋
Welcome to Avoca Park — a place built with heart, history, and a deep respect for every animal who has shared our journey.
Since purchasing the property in 1991, John and Leanne have poured their love, determination, and hands-on hard work into creating Avoca Park from the ground up.
Every fence line, every stable, every pathway reflects their commitment to building a space where people can experience the world they love so much — a world grounded in kindness, learning, and genuine connection with animals.
Avoca Park is supported by a loyal and dedicated team of employees who bring consistency, care, and warmth to everything they do. Their passion is visible in the way the animals are handled, the grounds are maintained, and the experiences are crafted for visitors.
Together, the team ensures that everyone who steps onto the property feels welcomed into a place where animals are understood, respected, and truly valued.
One of the most cherished parts of Avoca Park is our Memorial Reserve. Built during the pandemic, it honours every horse, dog, and cat who has played a role in the life of our centre. This peaceful space is where these beloved animals are laid to rest — a lasting tribute to their companionship, their lessons, and the joy they brought to our community.
It is a reminder of why we do what we do: to celebrate the connection between people and animals, in life and in memory.
This is the spirit that flows into our Donkey Experience — an opportunity for visitors to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the gentle, grounding presence of our donkeys.
We invite you to share in the world we’ve created with so much care, and to experience the magic these wonderful animals bring to Avoca Park.
Meet our Donkey Handling Team
Mandy Batkin
Mandy began her animal-care journey working at a riding school in England for over five years before moving to Australia.
With an Advanced Diploma in Horse Management and more than 15 years in senior roles at Caulfield Racecourse, she’s spent her career developing a calm, confident approach to handling equines of all personalities — including the gentle donkeys who now steal the show here. Her background gives her a finely tuned understanding of behaviour, welfare, and creating safe, positive interactions between animals and people.
Mandy brings that same care and attention to detail to our Donkey Experience program, ensuring every visit is relaxed, well-organised, and enjoyable for both guests and donkeys. From smooth bookings to the small touches that make your day feel special, Mandy makes sure everything behind the scenes runs just as smoothly as the donkeys you’ll meet.
Natalie Duncan
Nat is one of the friendly faces behind our Donkey Experiences, and she absolutely loves sharing the joy these special animals bring to everyone who visits.
One of Nat’s favourite things about the donkeys is their gentle, calm nature. They’re incredibly friendly and docile, and simply being around them has a way of lifting people’s moods almost instantly.
She’s also had plenty of funny moments along the way — especially when she has to explain to surprised little visitors that Cuddles isn’t a baby donkey at all, but is actually older than Johnny!
For Nat, the best part of the Donkey Experiences is seeing the smiles they bring to people. Being able to share the donkeys with visitors and watch the happiness they create is what makes every experience so special.
Andreacarola Grassi
Andrea has always wanted to get to know donkeys, and at Avoca Park, that dream has come true. She’s captivated by their sensitivity — their deep emotional awareness and gentle, intuitive nature make every moment with them feel grounding and special.
Some of Andrea’s funniest moments come from the donkeys’ playful personalities — from sudden brays that always make her laugh to their dramatic “smiles” when they show their teeth. They’re full of character and naturally entertaining without even trying.
For Andrea, the best part of the Donkey Experiences is seeing people connect with these amazing animals. Guests often arrive not knowing much about donkeys and leave amazed by their kindness, intelligence, and sensitivity. Watching people relax, laugh, and feel something real with the donkeys is what makes every experience so rewarding for her.
Meet Johnny and Cuddles (Jenny) Simpson!
Meet Johnny
Say hello to Johnny Simpson, our gentle, curious, and utterly lovable donkey! Johnny came to Avoca Park as a 7-month-old on 24th April 2010 — the eve of ANZAC Day and, coincidentally, my birthday. Named after John Simpson’s Donkey from World War I, Johnny was a dream come true, delivered as a surprise by my friends who went to incredible lengths to bring him home. From that very first moment, his calm, friendly, and playful personality has captured everyone’s hearts. Johnny loves being brushed, going for gentle walks, and exploring the reserve, making him the perfect companion for families, couples, or anyone wanting to experience a truly special day with a donkey.
Meet Cuddles
Meet Cuddles (Jenny Simpson), our tiny, cuddly, and full-of-personality miniature donkey! At just 31.5” tall, she’s small in size but big in charm, joining us in September 2020 and immediately winning hearts. Cuddles adores people and her buddy Johnny, and she’s always ready for a cuddle, a treat, or a gentle walk around the reserve. Playful, affectionate, and utterly enchanting, she brings joy to everyone she meets. Spending time with Cuddles is a chance to connect, laugh, and experience the magic of these sweet animals firsthand — it’s easy to see why she’s become the beloved little star of our donkey experience.
Here’s us Helping people LIVE their LOVE of DONKEYS
“Here’s what a few more happy customers have to say” 👇
Emma
Julie
Roberto
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Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The information provided on this webpage regarding the Donkey Experience at Avoca Park is for general informational and recreational purposes only. Individual experiences may vary depending on participants’ age, health, mobility, and personal circumstances. Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. Avoca Park staff provide guidance to ensure safety, but participation is at your own risk.
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