Unique functions centre with horse riding and trails experience gets boost as Capricorn Coast labelled ‘wedding capital’ of Central Qld

The spotlight has been shone on the Capricorn Coast with a seemingly throwaway line unearthing one of the region’s hidden gems. Did you know about it? And are there more of them?

A wedding at the picturesque Mount Wheeler Road property. Photo: Photography By Emma Anderson/Capricorn Equestrian Centre Facebook. Inset: A bride on horseback. Generic picture: Donna Todd.

The Capricorn Coast has been labelled the “wedding capital” of Central Queensland as a unique functions centre with a horse riding and trails experience received a boost.

Nestled at the foot of Mount Wheeler, at Cawarral near Yeppoon, is a property in a picturesque setting which offers horse riding across natural trails, a riding school, and perhaps most interestingly, a function facility.

Most interestingly, because many locals and visitors may never have heard of the hidden gem, which begs the question - how many more of these jewels are out there?

This property is situated on Mount Wheeler Road and is home to Capricorn Equestrian Centre - a business formerly known as Capricorn Coast Trail Rides.

The stunning backdrop that is Mount Wheeler. Photo: Sherrie Shepherd Photography/Capricorn Equestrian Centre Facebook.

It is operated by Glen Bridgeman - a riding instructor since 2001 who has a background in pony club, stock work, and horse training - and Madeline Chery who, with a passion for horses, looks after the people and business side of the operation.

At a recent Livingstone Shire Council meeting, councillors unanimously approved a development application for the horse riding centre and function facility on Mount Wheeler Road.

This was effectively one of those approvals done retrospectively, as both land uses had commenced on the site without the necessary approvals, and the council green light in 2022 simply formalised development requirements for the premises.

The function facility operates under the banner ‘The Barn at the Mountain’.

A wedding at the Mount Wheeler Road property. Photo: Photography by Jess Edwards/Capricorn Equestrian Centre Facebook.

There have been numerous other examples of this occurrence in Livingstone Shire during recent years.

In relation to this property, councillors resolved not to issue an infrastructure charges notice “due to the credit attaching to the land”.

Before councillors ticked off the approval, Cr Nigel Hutton spoke in favour of that, giving the Capricorn Coast the “wedding capital” of Central Queensland tag.

“This is yet again another sign that Livingstone is the wedding capital of CQ - everyone wants to get married here, everyone wants to live here, and that’s why we need facilities such as this,” Mr Hutton said.

“And obviously with the Beef to Reef Yeppoon show coming up, it’s important that we have young people continuing to engage in the equine sports, and this is a great site for them to get that love and to enjoy it.

“So I commend the application to the (council) table.”

All set up for a wedding at the Mount Wheeler Road property. Photo: Capricorn Equestrian Centre.

The function centre at Mount Wheeler Road also caters for booked events such as birthday parties and social clubs.

The site of the property on Mount Wheeler Road, Cawarral, which is home to a horse riding centre with trails, and a function centre.

With more and more people looking to find creative ways to make their weddings unique, what are some of Central Queensland’s other hidden gems? Tell us in the comments section at the bottom of this story.

Originally published as Unique functions centre with horse riding and trails experience gets boost as Capricorn Coast labelled ‘wedding capital’ of Central Qld