Lyonville Horseback Riding Loop

Lyonville, Victoria, Australia

Welcome back to another adventure! Today, Yuki, Megan and I, were joined by a special guest – our friend Bianca, as we took on the Lyonville Horseback Riding Loop. This trail is an easy and accessible option for those looking for a quiet day outdoors. Starting in the charming town of Lyonville, the loop offers a mix of historical paths, bushland, and some unexpected encounters along the way.

Starting the Adventure
The hike begins outside the Radio Springs Hotel in Lyonville. The first section of the trail follows the Domino Trail, a wide, well-maintained path that was once part of the Carlsruhe to Daylesford railway line. With the towering trees and sun-dappled trail, we couldn’t resist pulling out our cameras for a quick photoshoot.

Even though Bianca wasn’t keen to pose for the camera, we still managed to get her backshot in one of the photos.

Into Wombat State Forest
After a couple of kilometres, the trail turns off into the Wombat State Forest, where the scenery changes to quintessential Australian bushland. The path is easy to follow and well-maintained, but it’s fairly uniform throughout, with tall eucalyptus trees and native shrubs forming a continuous backdrop. While the forest is quiet and calm, it doesn’t feature any striking views or distinctive landmarks.

This section of the trail is fairly straightforward and flat, but it does require some navigation as the trail takes several unmarked turns. We relied on our map to stay on course, and I’d recommend doing the same to avoid getting lost in the forest.

The Farmland Section
As the trail loops around, it borders a series of farms. One of the more memorable sights was a dilapidated shed near the edge of the trail, which had an unsettling, eerie vibe. Combined with the quiet stillness of the area, it felt like a scene straight out of Wolf Creek—not exactly the kind of place you’d want to stick around after sunset!

We also spotted some Highland Cows grazing in a nearby field! These hairy creatures are always a fan favourite though they couldn’t care less about us. Bianca, in particular, is quite fond of the Highland Cow, though her love for them isn’t always reciprocated—a story for another day!

As always, no hike would be complete without Yuki. Partway through the forest, she decided to roll around in a patch of bushes, coming out covered in sticky seed pods. We had to stop a few times along the walk to pick them out of her fur, watch out for these plants with your dogs.

As we walked along the edge of the farmland, we noticed several small openings under the fences, likely created by animals such as wallabies or rabbits making their way in and out of the farms. Yuki obviously picked up on a scent and darted straight under one of the fences. Thankfully, she was secured on her Roam Wilder 10m long line, which stopped her from venturing any further. Without it, I might have found myself chasing her across the paddocks!

Final Thoughts
The Lyonville Horseback Riding Loop offers a mix of history, bushland, and farmland, making it a pleasant and straightforward hike. While it doesn’t boast breathtaking views or unique features, it’s a nice option for a quiet day out in nature.

Dog owners should be aware of potential hazards like seed pods and fence openings, but otherwise, this trail is manageable and enjoyable. If you’re in the area, it’s worth a visit.

Happy hiking! 🐾