Hunter Valley Brumby Association
Brumbies In The Hunter
Barrington Tops and Mount Royal National Park
The Barrington Brumbies are said to be some of the best in the country. They are short and stocky mountain horses that are generally black and bay in coloring.
**Brumbies have roamed the same wild areas for 170 years, escapees like the cattle from both the AA Co and the Mackays. They were highly valued and Jesse Gregson, the former Superintendent of the AA Co, remarked in 1907 they were "are more highly esteemed by stockmen than any other horses they can obtain elsewhere. Small as they are, they can be depended upon for a hard day's work in that rough country."
** J.Gregson, The Australian Agricultural Company 1824-1875, Angus and Robertson, Sydney 1907, 105.
Brumbies are also found in the surrounding areas of Curracabundi and Barakee National Parks.
Nerong Brumbies
Located near Bulahdelah towards the coast are the Nerong Brumbies. They have been in the area for more than fifty years and are generally shorter and stockier pony types with strong bone and their colors being generally bays, chestnuts and duns. Back in the day locals used to catch them and train them for the local children as they make excellent kids ponies. Very small numbers have been passively trapped by a contractor, hired by NPWS, to reduce their numbers.
Singleton Brumbies
In the 1960’s, a private land holder abandoned some pinto horses on what is now Defence land used by the Army as the Singleton Training Range. A few years ago their numbers were approximately 115 roaming on 9,000 hectares, but with the Hunter enjoying good seasons recently those numbers would have steadily increased. Public access to the Brumbies is not available due to them being on Defence land but the Brumbies that have been sighted by the Department of Defence are in good health and are not in any danger from Army activities.
