More Than a Ferrari: A Luxury Driving Experience Through Byron Bay Hinterland
- Kylie Harber
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
When I first met my husband Jon, he told me it was his dream to drive a supercar. Specifically, a Ferrari and a Porsche.
He could tell you everything about them.
Me? I had no idea, but I was a doting wife who filmed and photographed them for him, wherever we went. Like many dreams, I tucked that one away in the "one day" basket.
Until Jon's 40th birthday was upon us. It felt like "one day" had arrived.
So I did something a little cheeky.
I paid the deposit for a Prancing Horse supercar drive experience and gave Jon the gift certificate on his birthday. The remaining balance was a future Jon problem.
He was thrilled!!! I felt excited. And a bit guilty.
Had I just committed us to something quite extravagant that we'd never normally spend money on? Or had I finally given us permission to say yes to something incredible we'd never forget?
If you've watched my video below, you'll already know the answer.
The Biggest Surprise Was The Immersive Experience
The Ferrari was incredible, but what I didn't understand was that this day would go down in history as one of our favourite days ever. It went beyond driving amazing cars.
It was an immersive experience.
The winding roads through the Byron Bay hinterland.
The views over rolling green hills and pristine pockets of rainforest.
The laughter over lunch.
Delicious food and camaraderie shared between complete strangers.
Admiring the cars beside cane fields.
The feeling that we weren't rushing anywhere, even though we were going fast.
As someone who spends most of her time paying close attention to places, I found myself just as captivated by the scenery and the venues we visited as the supercars themselves.
Every turn seemed to reveal another beautiful view, another tiny country town, another reminder that some experiences are about much more than the thing that first attracts you to them.
The cars may have brought everyone together, but it was the shared experience of cars, scenery and great food that made the day memorable!
Why We Chose Prancing Horse
Jon had followed Prancing Horse online for many years and dreamed of one day joining one of their luxury driving experiences. He had been following their journey as a business, and showing me their emails, so I knew that was the experience he really wanted.
Jon was also keen (and still is) to do a defensive driving course too. But Prancing Horse had a Byron Bay drive that was just down the road from us in Brisbane, making it an easy getaway.
What stood out to me wasn't just the impressive collection of cars – it was the way they approached the day as a holistic experience.
The destinations are chosen based on the best weather for the seasons. The drive days are thoughtfully curated, combining incredible driving roads, beautiful scenery, great food and genuine hospitality.
From the moment we arrived, the team made everyone feel welcome. There were a lot of jokes and a lot of laughs. There was no pretension or ego, just a shared enthusiasm for great cars, great roads and great company. It completely shattered any expectations or worries I had about what a luxury experience would feel like.
Afterwards, Jon said something that stuck with me:
"I would never have prioritised myself enough to do this, and you gave me the greatest gift by booking me in."
I think that's what made the experience so special. It wasn't just about driving a Ferrari or a Porsche. It was about saying yes to something we'd always dreamed about and giving ourselves permission to make it happen.
An Intimate Group Experience
The great company of the other guests on our drive meant the forming of new friendships. It was an unexpected delight.
On our Byron Bay drive, we met two friends, two brothers and a lovely couple from Port Macquarie.
By the end of the day, it felt like a group of friends that had shared an adventure, led by the fun, down-to-earth Prancing Horse team of Matt, Erik and Jessie.
After our day ended, we were keen to keep the party going and Erik joined a few of us for dinner and drinks at Crystalbrook Byron hotel.
Our Prancing Horse drive fell on a Saturday, and we loved the day so much that we returned to Apex Dining and the Tweed Regional Gallery on the Sunday morning. We were keen to try more of the food and explore more of the gallery.
Funnily enough, two of our favourite guests from the drive were there for the same reason. We were so thrilled to run into each other, share a hug and talk about the day.
Prancing Horse Byron Bay Experience Highlights
These are some of the things we loved about the Byron Bay drive:
Drive multiple supercars in a single day, experiencing the unique personality of each vehicle – we had the pleasure of trying the Audi, Lamborghini, Ferrari and Porsche, in that order.
Explore the winding roads of the Byron Bay hinterland, where rolling hills, pockets of rainforest, quiet country towns and open stretches of road and highway create a wonderfully varied driving experience.
Enjoy a small-group experience that feels personal, fun and relaxed. By the end of the day, complete strangers feel more like friends.
Delicious morning tea at Apex Dining, lunch at Husk Distillery and treats are included, making the day feel unhurried and thoughtfully curated from start to finish. Husk has such a vibe! And I try not to tell many people about Apex Dining – it's a hidden gem I'd rather keep to myself. Nothing beats their brewed chai and amazing sausage rolls on a sun-filled deck with epic views in a blue sky winter day. We go back there just to relieve the day and talk about it!
Visit the beautiful Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, offering the chance to stretch your legs, take in inspiring art and enjoy spectacular views across the Tweed River Valley. As an artist, I was obsessed with the beautiful building and the artworks.
Swap vehicles throughout the day, giving everyone the opportunity to experience each car and discover their unexpected favourite (for me, it was the baby Lambo).
Share the driving with your companion, with opportunities to switch between driver and passenger seats so both people can enjoy the thrill from behind the wheel and from the passenger seat. Fair warning: you may find yourselves negotiating over who gets the next turn.
Capture incredible photographs and memories, whether you're bringing your own camera or taking advantage of the optional professional photography package.
Perfect for couples, siblings, friends as well as car enthusiasts, combining beautiful scenery, great food, memorable conversations and world-class cars into a genuinely unique day out.
We enjoyed staying at the Crystalbrook Byron, where the Prancing Horse drive started from. We loved the peaceful rainforest walks, lush pool, beautiful restaurants and walking distance to Tallow Beach. We were offered a very reasonable price to pay for a 5pm late checkout to laze by the pool on Sunday after our drive.
If you're thinking of hiring a Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini or other super car for a day, I strongly recommend exploring a Prancing Horse drive experience instead.
If like us, you value experiences over 'things', this experience is for you. The cars may be what attract you initially, but it's the immersive experience that you'll remember long after the day is over.
A Note About the Photography Package
One of the optional extras we chose was the photography package, and I'm so happy we did.
As a photographer myself, I wasn't quite sure how it would work. I was already nervous about driving such expensive cars without worrying about being on the other side of the lens and whether I looked awkward doing something I'd never done before.
Thankfully, the experience never felt staged or uncomfortable. In reality, it was the complete opposite.
Erik — Prancing Horse's talented photographer — is a wonderful part of the entourage, quietly documenting moments throughout the day and capturing genuine interactions, candid conversations and the excitement of experiencing each car for the first time.
Rather than feeling like we were being photographed, it felt like we were being given permission to stay present and enjoy the experience.
Looking back through the images now, I'm grateful to have photographs of moments I would have otherwise forgotten. Kind of like your wedding day (perhaps better?), it goes by incredibly fast. For an experience built around creating memories, for us it felt like a worthwhile addition.
The photos are presented in an online gallery that you can send to family and friends which is such an exciting thing to share!
If you're unsure, don't stress. The photographs can be purchased after the event, giving you the chance to decide once you've experienced the day for yourself.
You can see a selection of Erik's photos in my YouTube video :)
Final Thoughts - The Experience Of A Lifetime
When I booked this experience for Jon's 40th birthday, I thought I was giving him the chance to drive his dream car.
What I didn't realise was that I was also giving us a memory we'd talk about for years to come. Or that it would accidentally turn me into a car person!
As we drove home at sunset in the Porsche, I'll never forget the pride of watching someone I love experience something they'd dreamed about for years. The smile on Jon's face was priceless.
I couldn't have picked a better milestone birthday gift.
And I can't believe I'm now a car person.
And one day, when Jon and I are old and grey, we can press play on my video or look through the photos and get to experience it all over again.
We enjoyed the experience so much that we returned for a second Prancing Horse adventure in 2026, this time exploring the spectacular roads of Tasmania's Great Western Tiers.
I'll share that story soon :)
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