Peninsula on track for 95km horse trail

Jessica Benton
Almost 100km of riding tracks could set up the Bellarine Peninsula for a booming horse industry, according to a councillor.
City of Greater Geelong and Bellarine Horse Riders have released a strategy outlining a network of scenic tracks and trails connecting the coast, townships and rural areas of the peninsula for horse riders, walkers and cyclists.
The 95km of tracks weave between riding facilities, properties and peninsula landmarks at Drysdale, St Leonards, Indented Head, Portarlington, Point Lonsdale, Swan Bay and Curlewis.
Cr Tom O’Connor said the plan would utilise unused or “quiet” rural roads to provide safer routes for riders and pedestrians.
The trails would also benefit the rural economy, environment, permanent residents and tourism operators.
“The strategy identifies that recreational horses are very much a part of the Bellarine Peninsula. It also establishes a recreational presence and gives the activities designated areas,” Cr O’Connor said.
“We’re trying to set up something similar to Lindsay Park in South Australia, which is an iconic establishment, but what’s unique about the peninsula are the natural attributes, the rolling hills, access to the sea and sandy soils.”
Cr O’Connor said council had yet to approve the strategy but would hopefully fund the project if it won the green light.
Bellarine Horse Riders’ Yvonne Birch said the equine industry was growing “rapidly” on the Bellarine Peninsula.
“There’s been a lot of very important people moving to the area and the set up of a number of commercial race horses,” she said.
“There just seems to be a lot more horses and riders in the area.”