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Be a part of Australia’s premier representative body for Trail Horse Riders.

Ride with confidence when you have an ATHRA club membership.

ATHRA provides members with great value and benefits.

The Bicentennial National Trail

16/09/08

We are in the process of gathering photos for the production of a BNT Photostory that will replace the current promotional material we have been using for some years.  I encourage you to please help us with this most exciting production and ask you to please send in some of your favourite shots.   Details for compiling the photos and permission forms attached.  Hoping to see you in the new production.  Please send them in as soon as possible.

Kind Regards

Mal Keeley, Chairperson, BNT Board of Directors

Click here for Contributor Guidelines; Photo Permission form; Photo Permission form for Under 18's; or contact the BNT direct.

The Bicentennial National Trail is one of the longest marked trekking route of its kind in the world, stretching an extraordinary 5,330 kilometres from Cooktown in tropical North Queensland, to Healesville in Victoria.

 The inspiration of the legendary bushman R M Williams,  the Trail follows the historic coach and stock routes, old pack horse trails, and country roads. Wherever possible along its great length the Trail has been designed to be a "living history" of our country, following the routes of our early pioneers and highlighting historic sites and artifacts along the way.

As it winds virtually the length of the country, the Trail links eighteen of the country's National Parks, and reveals some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia. It traverses lush tropical rainforests, rugged mountains, valleys and gorges, remote dry plains, alpine meadows, snowfields and wilderness.

The Trail gives access to some of the wildest, most remote country in the world and provides endless fascination for those interested in Australia's unique fauna and flora.

The Trail's enormous potential is being tapped by people involved in all sorts of activities as well as the horse riding and bush walking for which it was initially established. Now camping and fishing, fossicking, canoeing, bird watching, orienteering, survival training, mountain bike riding, and travelling in horse drawn vehicles are just some of the activities being pursued along its great length.

The route of the Bicentennial National Trail lies within four hours' drive of 11 million Australians and its length and variety ensure it can be all things to all people; a wilderness or a weekend ramble, a place for the experienced trekker or the first time adventurer. Age is also no barrier to enjoying the pleasures of the Trail. Everyone, from little  children to those of advanced years will find areas perfectly suited to both their fitness level and their interests.

Experienced trekkers will find as many challenges as they care to confront, while the less experienced can choose a section of the Trail which will give them more easy-going adventure.

The Trail attracts both town and country visitors, local and international tourists. All international visitors are advised to contact the Australian Consulate in their country of origin to access information regarding visas and visa extensions. The trail may take one year or more to complete depending on your level of fitness, your mode of travel and the extra time you spend to absorb the wonders of Australia.

Bush walking clubs, horse riding and pony clubs, guides, scouts, environmental and bushcraft groups, and everyone who loves the Australian bush and its unique attractions will find the Trail a profoundly enjoyable experience, rich with interest.

ATHRA is an integral part of the BNT as many clubs are section coordinators, volunteering hours of time maintaining the trail.  

Click here to visit the BNT site
 



PACK HORSE TRAINING MANUAL (FROM "TRACKS" MARCH 2007 ISSUE)
The National Trail's maestro Mike Allen, who for twenty years has watched trekkers and their packhorses along the national Trail, has written this fabulous book.  The book combines Mike's own extensive knowledge of the BNT and that of the bushman he encountered whilst negotiating and mapping the Trail.  The result is one of the best-informed books on pack trekking available.  The price is $25 and available from the BNT office.

 

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