Trip Essentials (3.73 MB)
Escape the Christmas and New Year rush
Amazing wilderness days with challenges, rewards and remote landscapes.
Fly across World Heritage coastlines and mountain ranges to land deep in Southwest Tasmania – explore the wilderness waterways of Bathurst Harbour and Port Davey by sea kayak – paddle through changing landscapes from campsite to campsite – they’re the attractions and challenges of our Wilderness on Water Sea Kayaking Expeditions.
Bathurst Harbour and Port Davey, in Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area, offer a combination of sheltered wilderness harbours, rugged ocean coastlines, remote islands and wild rivers. There are no roads and no settlements. Discover spectacular destinations in the best way possible - by water, at paddling pace.
Our guides know this pristine wilderness intimately – all the sheltered bays and open beaches, the peaks and islands, every hidden corner and comfortable campsite. After a spectacular flight to the remote airstrip at Melaleuca your days will be spent exploring one of Tasmania’s most remote and beautiful coastlines, paddling through perfect reflections in the tannin-stained waters, beneath mountains that rise from the shore and stopping in at sandy beaches.
This trip has a flexible itinerary with time for optional short walks or relaxing on the beach. Your nights will be spent in remote and hidden campsites. Every night you will enjoy delicious food with a glass of wine.
Extensive kayaking experience is not necessary, but it is important to have a sound level of fitness, be comfortable with wilderness camping and, most of all, have a sense of adventure.
The adventure begins...
Day 1 is the only day of this expedition that we can describe in detail – on the first evening, we plan the rest of the expedition after discussion with the group and a careful assessment of the weather conditions. We’re kayaking in a remote wilderness area and there are plenty of options for outstanding paddling destinations.
After meeting in the early afternoon at Cambridge Airport near Hobart, our pilot decides whether to fly along the remote beaches of the South Coast, or over the wild Eastern Arthur Ranges. We land on the gravel strip at Melaleuca, load the boats and paddle down Melaleuca Inlet to our first campsite either on Bathurst Harbour or along the Bathurst Narrows. We arrive in time to unload and settle in before dinner. In the evening, we’ll plan the journey for the next four days over dinner and a glass of wine.
Trip package includes:
Transfers between Hobart and Cambridge Airport, scenic one hour return flight to Melaleuca, all meals (with an emphasis on fresh Tasmanian produce) and refreshments, a glass of wine each evening, good quality camping equipment, two highly-experienced kayaking guides, comfortable and stable double sea kayaks, all specialist paddling equipment (good-quality paddle, paddling jacket, spray deck, buoyancy vest, duffle bag, and dry-bags) and national park entry fees.
What you need to bring
Click on the “Trip Essentials” button at the top right-hand corner of this page for a full equipment list – but basically, you need similar gear to what you would carry on a bushwalking trip. All camping, kayaking and cooking equipment is provided.
We recommend thermals and fleece clothing as it is light and warm. You will need footwear for kayaking and comfortable shoes for exploring ashore and a change of dry gear for the evening. A waterproof and windproof jacket, sun hat, warm hat and gloves are all essential.
And most of all – your sense of adventure!
2019/20 DATES
27th Dec to 1st Jan (5 nights/6 days) - $2895
1st Jan to 5th Jan (4 nights/5 days) - $2495