Billabong Ranch — Attraction in Kanyapella

Hi Kerri, I had the time to think about what happened with the booking for my daughter. I understand you have tried to contact me several times and I haven't been answering or returning your calls. On a Wednesday I called you back and said I would send the documents (which I thought I did it before) but in fact, once again I didn't and I didn't realise it did not go through, otherwise I would have tried again. Then on Friday, Good Friday I received the email saying my daughter's booking was cancelled. In the end, you are right, from your point of view I haven't been proactive and haven't shown any interests, although I made the payment of $200 on 11.03.2021 and in your cancellation email, there is no mention of any reimbursement for that amount deposited. However, you don't have the right to talk to me as you did on Good Friday, on the phone when I was in the car with my partner and my daughter. I have asked and begged to reconsider the situation and give me the last chance to resend the documents and in an upset and aggressive tone you informed me that "I should have done that 3 weeks ago, that was the due date!". I explained that I was away since it was Good Friday, public holidays, so I could not do it straight away, again you answered in an upset way "IT IS NOT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND I AM WORKING, I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU ARE NOT WORKING". I mentioned that I was not in front of my computer and to give me time to go back home to get the documents and send them and you answered: "ARE YOU SOFIA'S MOTHER? SO HOW COME YOU DON'T HAVE THE DOCUMENTS?". My question to you and all your Billabong team is: "would you send your child to a place like that?". My daughter, who was in the car and listened to the conversation said "If they treat you like that, how are they going to treat me? You made a mistake but they don't know why and what you are going through." Sometimes it's wise to learn from our children. Once again, I made a mistake and I apologise for that. Have you ever made mistakes? Has Billabong Ranch ever made mistakes? I looked at reviews in Google and some are very low, some are upset. I don't like to do that because I have a business and I know how bad it is to have a low star rate, and I don't know why you treated me like that, but in the end, other parents should be aware. I confirm that my daughter will not go to this camp or to any other in the future and I expect reimbursement of $200.00. Don't be as slack and incompetent as I was as a mother and make the reimbursement as soon as possible. Thanks...

TRAIL RIDE ONLY GOOD FOR BEGINNERS This is a fun day out for young children especially. Our little one enjoyed things like the pony ride, petting zoo and paddleboats. The cafe had good sandwiches and chips and lunch meals. The mini golf is quite tired looking and needs a bit of repair and fixing up, but we played that too. Three of us adults went on the one hour trail ride. My partner and my daughter were inexperienced, while I a former equestrian and show jumper, without horses any more was the only experienced rider in the group. The staff sorted us by riding experience having only me stand by the sign for people who have 'ridden over 50 times'. I decided to do it as I miss riding a lot now that I no longer have horses. I had hoped that being a good rider might mean I would be give a somewhat better horse because I could ride and it would be fun ride a bit again on a good horse. Sadly, I was mistaken, instead of a better horse, I was given a difficult horse not very well suited to beginners! This was because it had a very hard mouth, it didn't respond well to the reins, was constantly pulling at the bit, was really big boned and built like a draft horse at around 17-18 hands and had really, really rough gaits. So yes I could control her without any problem, but it wasn't an enjoyable ride as she was fighting the reins and pulling at them with every step, even though I had them just moderately collected. Towards the end, because they knew I was experienced I was invited to ride on a little side trip with one of the staff riders and we cantered and had a bit more free riding which should have been a lot of fun. But the canter and trot of that mare were so very rough gaited it was impossible to enjoy that part of the ride either. I very much envied the staff member on her sweet little quarter horse cantering smoothly while I my mare plowed along ka-THUMP - ka-THUMP - ka-THUMP on feet as big as luncheon plates. Ah welI, I would take the kids again, but the trail ride is probably only fun for beginner riders. I advise any experienced riders to give it a miss as like me you might just have to endure a bad mannered and rough gaited horse and a riding time that is nothing like what you can really enjoy or...

Absolutely awesome day. We had the family super dooper package and added a 🐫 ride. Sorry if this review is long but please take time to read it. I'm going to start with the staff. Every staff member was friendly and engaged. Throughout the day you could notice them communicating well through the uhf and everyone could step in and assist in all areas. This shows professionalism and training as there are so many things they would have to know. But most of all it showed passion and enthusiasm.

Second thing to mention: It was very tidy and clean and not just for a establishment that has stock/animals I mean in general. The tidiness also includes the stables and stock enclosures, kitchen/ dining room, amusement rides and even the welds on the fencing was tidy.

Third thing to mention. As a mechanic myself I admired the standard of how everything was maintained. I would even challenge someone to find a unlubed grease nipple or a loose bolt.

Forth thing to mention. The standard/quality of the way they treat the animals are Second to none. The obvious love they have for them is reflected through the entire ranch and the area of echuca.

Fifth thing to mention: It's a obviously dedicated family business that must have a passion to share. The time and effort (not to mention money and financial risk) is something to be admired and can be such a influenced by just pulling through the gate.

Overall great day spent. Ps the activities are online so I'm not going to list them individually as we as a family enjoyed them all and I'm reviewing...