Experience Australia’s coastal wilderness on the Light to Light walk & explore hidden gems of the Sapphire Coast.
You're in for a real treat on this one girls, as we take in three different national parks along the Sapphire Coast, each one serving up a unique experience! We'll walk, wine, dine and kayak, mixing things up a little with some sightseeing and an adventure or two in true AW style! We'll be staying at the iconic lighthouse cottages for a couple of nights, then it's comfort camping (we actually think it's worthy of the 'glamping' title) with all the touches you could wish for.
Our first couple of days will be spent exploring one of New South Wales' best kept secrets, the Light to Light Walk, hugging the coastline between historic Boyds Tower and Green Cape Light Station in the Ben Boyd National Park. The views are stunning and ever changing - from heathland to forest, tea tree groves to banksia woodlands and sheltered coves to towering red-rock platforms. Also, with so many seafront vantage points keep an eye out, as hundreds and thousands of Humpback Whales begin to migrate north along the coastline from May. Apart from these gentle giants there's a good variety of marine life including seals & dolphins and an abundance of wildlife along parts of this section too.
Third day in, we take off the hiking boots and visit the Killer Whale Museum, enjoy some leisure time to explore the town of Eden, before heading to our base camp at Hobart Beach Campground in Bournda National Park. Once at base camp, we'll be treated to a yummy lunch and then it's time to work it off by enjoying a guided Kayak Tour on the Bega River.
The following days we have more spectacular walking experiences in store for you! We head into Mimosa Rocks National Park, walking to historic Moon Bay and onwards to Wajurda Point lookout, taking in the stunning Nelsons Bay (Our Guide's fav spot on the sapphire coast). We explore beautiful beaches, lagoons, a variety of forest including spotted gum and melaleuca, we will see plenty of water birds and hopefully some Gippsland Water Dragons sunning themselves .....as well as a little adventure, crossing the lagoon!
Walking Distance - 52km
Fitness Level - Medium Grade, suited to those with a moderate level of fitness and can walk 10k or more in any one outing. Preparation will make this experience more enjoyable. The kayaking tour on the Bega River is included in this package, however it's your choice as to whether or not you participate.
Limited to 9 Ladies Only & 1 AW Host
Accommodation: Twin Share with another lady in the group. Many of our guests come along solo, so if you're a bit hesitant, please don't be - we're supportive, inclusive, fun loving and you'll be made to feel very welcome.
● Getting to know three Sapphire Coast National Parks, each one providing a unique experience
● Mimosa Rocks - stunning sanctuary for koalas, swamp wallabies and long-nosed potoroos, to name a few!
● Secluded beaches and breathtaking views
● Whale watching from headlands in national parks and from vantage points
● Fascinating Killer Whale Museum in Eden
● Staying in the beautifully-restored quality heritage Lighthouse cottages
● Remote and intimate camping, far from the crowds
● Kayaking on the Bega River
● Wining & Dining on Local Produce
After Pick up from your accommodation, we travel South via Eden and into Ben Boyd National Park. Our walk begins at Boyds Tower where we marvel the sandstone structure that was never officially used as a light house, instead Benjamin Boyd relied on it as a spotting tower for his whaling fleet. Here at Boyds Tower we begin our amazing two-day trek along this breath-taking Coastal Wilderness. The rest of the day is spent exploring one of Australia’s most iconic walking trails, arriving at stunning Saltwater Creek in the afternoon. From here, We will be picked up by our bus and transported to our accommodation in the lighthouse keepers cottages at the historic Green Cape Light Station. The stunning Green Cape Light house is Australia’s 2nd tallest, built in 1883.
You will have time to relax or maybe spot some whales heading North before a scrumptious dinner prepared by your guides, using local seasonal produce.
Meals: Morning Tea, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Accommodation: Green Cape Lighthouse
We begin our day with a hearty breakfast before our bus delivers us back to Saltwater Creek to continue our trek along this amazing coastline, with picturesque scenery and an abundance of wildlife.
We will witness the regeneration of the bush post fire, observing how different vegetation types have responded to fire. Continuing South we will enjoy lunch at Bittangabee Bay. From here we enter the open forest and some unique areas before emerging out onto the coastal heath where we will get glimpses of the lighthouse. We will check out the Ly-ee-moon cemetery before arriving back at the lighthouse. We will again enjoy our surroundings for another evening with a delicious meal prepared by our guides.
Meals: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Accommodation: Green Cape Lighthouse
After packing our bags and enjoying a leisurely breakfast, we jump in the bus and drive North to Eden. Here we visit the Eden Killer Whale Museum for a guided tour and enjoy a wander through town.
We will again jump in the bus and head north further to the Hobart Beach Campground in Bournda National Park. We will settle in to our tents and enjoy lunch and view the wildlife around camp. The afternoon will be spent on a guided kayak tour of the Bega River (location dependant on weather). Dinner will be enjoyed around the campfire, listening to the chorus of frogs around us.
Meals: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (or should we say Glamping) at Hobart Beach Campground
Enjoy a cooked or continental breakfast at camp to get you energised for another day of exploring. After a quick transfer to Mogareeka (20 mins), you will begin your walk north passing around Fords Headland, an old farming property that was given to Parks in the 1970s. From here you will then head down to historic Moon Bay and onwards to Wajurda Point lookout taking in the stunning Nelsons Bay (Our Guide's fav spot on the sapphire coast) after descending down to the bay through distinctly different vegetation to the previous day. Here you will prepare to cross the lagoon (waist deep, we have kayaks to help with the crossing if required).
After the crossing and drying off, walk the deserted Cowdroys beach, with a short section back through the spotted gum forest and onwards through the sand dunes to Middle Lagoon and Middle beach, here we enter the forest again following the coast north to Bithry Inlet where you can explore the ruins of an old property with links to the Myer department store.
After a transfer back to Hobart Beach Campground it's to relax around the campfire and enjoy another wholesome meal, this time prepared on the open fire (subject to fire bans) with local, seasonal produce.
Meals: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (or should we say Glamping) at Hobart Beach Campground
Our final morning will be spent enjoying breakfast at camp and getting packed up.
From camp we will walk South along the beach to Bournda Lagoon. Here, we’ll enter the coastal Melaleuca forest and head inland to cross Sandy Creek before following the creek back to the coast where it becomes Bournda Lagoon, along this section of walk we will see plenty of water birds and hopefully some Gippsland Water Dragons sunning themselves.
After lunch and sharing our stories of a great few days, we will transferred back to Merimbula to make our way home. Farewell:)
Meals: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch
Knowledgeable & Experienced Local Guide fully trained in Wilderness First Aid
Adventurous Women Host
Evening meals all prepared by your Guide - focus is on fresh local seasonal produce and includes local wine tastings.
Mix of cooked and continental breakfasts
Lunch and morning/afternoon tea and snacks
Twin share accommodation at the Lighthouse Cottages for two nights & Camping for two nights
Quality Camping Equipment including - Roomy canvas tent that you can stand in (no crouching), stretcher bed with insulated mat, sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, pillow and head torch, camp chairs, hot showers & drop toilet at campgrounds.
National park fees.
Emergency communications & Full first Aid Kit
Pick up from accommodation on day 1 / drop off at accommodation, or airport final day
5 Morning Teas
5 Lunches
4 Snacks
4 Dinners
4 Breakfasts
Transport to/from Merimbula
Travel Insurance
Items of a Personal Nature
Meals not noted in the itinerary
- Water bottles or hydration bladder – at least 2 litre capacity
- Personal toiletries and medication
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Towel
- Walking boots or shoes – good quality runners will suffice
- Walking poles if you use them (we have spares)
- Waterproof jacket
- Water shoes for kayaking (compulsory)
- Bathers/clothes that can get wet for lagoon crossing
- Comfortable walking clothes
- Warm jacket
- Sun hat
- Beanie for cool weather/evenings
- Optional – bathers, camera, binoculars, mobile phone (reception is patchy along the walk), alcoholic beverages
ONLY TWO SINGLE SUPPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS TOUR - FIRST IN, FIRST SERVED
You can either fly with Qantas (flights starting from 18thDecember 2020) to Merimbula arriving the day prior, or drive (we can put out the word if you would like to car-pool with other ladies in the group depending upon where you're coming from)
You will need to book your own pre tour accommodation in Merimbula for the evening prior to the departure and if you wish to stay on an additional night after the tour, the same applies. Our AW Host will be arriving the evening prior and we are happy to provide you with the details of where she will be staying, should you wish to book a room at the same place or somewhere nearby.
Notice of cancellation must be in writing, with an email as an acceptable form of communication, directly to Adventurous Women with the following conditions:
As of the 19th September 2019 Unfortunately PayPal have changed their policy to now retain fees even when we issue a refund. Due to this change both partial and full refunds will now be less the full fee charged by PayPal at the time of booking
No refund is available after departure of a tour has commenced.
