Located on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Markdale offers an out-of-the ordinary experience to fire up the senses of horse enthusiasts. Once you drive through the gates you are about to immerse yourself in station life on one of Australia’s most historic sheep stations located in the beautiful New South Wales Southern Tablelands.
Markdale is rich in history and impresses with some of Australia’s great equestrian sports pasts. This is where James Ashton, father of Australia’s first polo team settled in 1920 which marked the beginning of polo in Australia. His sons, the Ashton brothers team rose to dominate Australian polo and the film ‘The Four Horsemen’ tells the story of their adventurous and successful voyage – with their 25 polo ponies – to play polo during the 1930 English season. From England, the brothers proceeded to New York to play a series of exhibition matches in the hope of selling their polo ponies.
Today the property continues to be a fully operational sheep station with over 8,500 fine merino sheep and some cattle and there are 6300 acres of beautiful horse riding country, just waiting to be explored on horseback
Once you get ready for your morning ride, you will continue to be surrounded by equestrian history as you pass by the famous Ashton brothers polo hitting pit and once you are on horseback you will have the opportunity to ride on the original polo field before you start exploring 6300 acres of riding country which can only be described as an equestrian’s dream.
There is also an abundance of activities to be enjoyed at Markdale beyond horse riding. The beautiful Edna Walling Garden with the pastoral homestead are a magical haven to relax after a long day in the saddle and if you still want to be active, there is a beautiful tennis court and a pool waiting for you to be enjoyed.
Our group will be staying in rustic accommodation, double and twin rooms in the two original refurbished stone cottages and in the historic shearer’s quarters, built in the 1850s. In the morning you will wake up with the sun and after a nice evening meal you will spend your evenings relaxing in the courtyard or by the log fire.
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