HORSE RIDING ON THE BEACH
Our escorted beach trail
rides are conducted on beautiful South Ballina Beach just 800
meters from the ranch. South Ballina Beach is a rare find on our
fast developing coastline. During off-peak season the beach is virtually
empty, no-one to be seen for miles, it’s very private. During
peak season (long-weekends & school holidays) you will share
the beach with just a small number of holidaying fisherman searching
for that special spot on the beach likely to return a fish or two,
but still quite private.
PLEASE NOTE: South Ballina Beach is not patrolled
by lifesavers.
Threatened Pied Oystercatcher nests on South Ballina Beach from
August to January
Pied Oystercatchers are listed as a "vulnerable
species" in New South Wales. The South Ballina to Bundjalung
National Park area supports between 30-70 birds with numbers fluctuating
annually. This is up to a quarter of the total state population
of 250 birds. There are 25-30 breeding pairs of Pier Oystercatchers
in this area, however, breeding success is low. The 17 breeding
pairs on South Ballina beach are very significant for the preservation
of the species.
The Pied Oystercatcher breeds in pairs from August to January
each year (earlier in the north of Australia). A breeding territory
of some 200metres is formed and is defended by both birds. Nesting
takes place on sand, shell grit or shingle just above high water
mark on beaches, sandbars, margins of estuaries and lagoons. The
two or three eggs are well-camouflaged, being pale brown with
darker brown and black blotches and streaks. Both sexes share
parenting duties.
 How
can you help protect this endangered species?
We have been working closely with the National
Parks & Wildlife Service and the Department of Lands to develop
a Management Strategy to improve the successful fledging of the
birds and preserve the pristine condition of the beach. The draft
Management Strategy recommends Horse riding and Four Wheel Driving
be restricted to the inter-tidal zone below the high water mark.
This means a little planning is required before you venture onto
the beach each day. During your stay we will provide you with a
tide chart to assist you in planning the best time to horse ride
and drive on the beach.
Please ensure pets do not roam on the beach, particularly
at night. Domestic animals should be kept on leads at all times.
How does this affect your beach ride?
To ensure our presence on the beach does not damage
any nests, when you book we check the tides and choose a mutually
suitable time, in this way we ride on the inter-tidal zone of the
beach and not on the dunes or near the foot of the dune where the
birds nest.. As a general rule we are not allowed to ride within
10 meters of the base of the sand dunes during nesting season.
Tassiriki Ranch recognised by
the Ballina Chamber Of Commerce & Industry
 Tassiriki
Ranch is proud to announce it's achievements at the 2007 Business
Excellence Awards sponsored by the Ballina Chamber Of Commerce &
Industry. Tassiriki Ranch achieved a top five placing in the Best
New Business Award and was the winner of the inaugural "Best
Green Business Award".
Tassiriki Ranch received the Green Business Award
in recognition of it's participation with NSW National Parks &
Wildlife Service and NSW Department Of Lands in developing the Pied
Oystercatcher Threatened Species Management Plan and for it's ongoing
efforts to minimise the impact of it's horse riding operations on
this threatened bird species and the environment in general.
At the gala presentation evening the owners of
Tassiriki Ranch, Chris & Helen, congratulated the Ballina Chamber
of Commerce for orgainsing such a wonderful competition designed
to urge local business to strive for excellence in their business
operations. Chris & Helen thanked GEOLink, for their sponsorship
of the inaugural Green Business award, and their valued customers,
for the nomination and their support.
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