At a Glance
Journey to the bottom of the world to discover a sea kayaking experience unlike any other.
With return scenic flights included out of Hobart’s Cambridge Airport, this luxury, 4-day sea kayaking expedition takes you through the pristine waterways of Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area, one of the most isolated places on Earth. Launching from Bathurst Harbour, paddle across open stretches of water and along dramatic coastlines and remote rivers. Marvel at sandy beaches, sheer clifftops and the unique Celery Top Islands. Take an easy walk to the summit of Mt Beattie for a breathtaking aerial view of the park below. There is no roads or settlements here – only unspoilt natural beauty that is best observed from the water.
You’ll stay at Forest Lagoon Wilderness Camp, where the beauty of nature is ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Three nights’ accommodation at the Forest Lagoon Wilderness Camp.
- 4 x days’ guided sea kayaking including kayaks and all kayaking equipment (PFD, spray skirts and paddle).
- Transport between Hobart City to Cambridge Airport.
- Return scenic flights out of Hobart Cambridge Airport.
- 2 dry bags for your sleeping bag and clothes.
- Duffle bag for transport of your gear on the flight between Hobart and Melaleuca.
- Waterproof paddling jacket and pants.
- Pogies (paddling mitts).
- Sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner (please notify us if you prefer to bring your own)
- All meals, drinks and snacks including a glass of wine with dinner.
- All cooking equipment including cups, plates and eating utensils.
- Toilet paper, toilet kit, antibacterial hand gel.
- Small book library with a variety of reference books including field guides.
- Comprehensive first aid and emergency safety equipment.
- Two professional sea kayaking guides.
- National park entry fees.
Itinerary
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*Due to the unique nature of the area and the variability of weather, there is no fixed route or schedule for this tour. The guides will do their best to fulfil your aspirations, but the first priority is always your safety. The itinerary below is therefore only an example of what to expect. On a typical day, you will paddle for approximately 2-3 hours in the morning and 2-3 hours in the afternoon. Paddling speed is relaxed (i.e. a relaxed walk rather than a sprint). Previous kayaking experience is not necessary, but it is important to have a sound level of fitness, and, most of all, a sense of adventure. Departing from Hobart’s Cambridge Airport, a spectacular scenic flight takes you deep into Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area, one of the most isolated places on Earth. Depending on weather, you will fly across mountain ranges, close to the quartzite crags of Federation Peak; or along the wild and rugged South Coast, with its string of remote ocean beaches. After landing at Melaleuca airstrip, near the house where Deny King – legendary pioneer of the southwest – once lived, begin your sea kayaking journey down a quiet inlet to the Forest Lagoon Wilderness Campsite, your home away from home for the next three nights. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon paddle along the sheltered shores of Bathurst Harbour, visiting sandy beaches and the unique Celery Top Islands with their canopy of native pines. In the evening, a delicious dinner of fresh Tasmanian produce and a glass of wine ends a wonderful day. |
Forest Lagoon Wilderness Camp
Lunch, Dinner |
Over a hearty breakfast, your guides will check the weather and discuss plans with the group. Depending on the weather you will explore bays and beaches, points and headlands; you will cross open stretches of water or hug the shore; you will nudge into wild and remote rivers lined with thick forest. The coastline of the harbour is complex, so there are many options for pleasant sea kayaking in almost any weather. You might explore deeper into the harbour, either north to North River or west to Moulters Inlet where forested hills contrast beautifully with the sapphire waters. You might also get a closer look at the Celery Top Islands, which have not experienced fire for hundreds of years and are free of root rot. Whatever you don’t do today, you will take on tomorrow – there rugged beauty of this area is endless! |
Forest Lagoon Wilderness CampBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Depending on the weather and what routes you explored yesterday, set out on your kayak for another day of discovery. Today, you might paddle Bathurst Narrows past the rocky slopes of Mt Rugby to Joe Page Bay and Balmoral Beach. The water at Balmoral Beach is an unusual red-brown colour due to the tannins leaching from the surrounding button grass moorland and heathlands. But it is the sheer remoteness of this beach that provides the ‘wow’ factor. Other than kayaking in, the only way to access this area is by cruising or hiking for days. So, you can guarantee is this one breathtaking natural landscape you won’t have to share! |
Forest Lagoon Wilderness CampBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
In the morning, take a short paddle across the lagoon to Clayton’s Corner, once home to fisherman Clyde Clayton, whom married Winsome King, the sister of the famous Deny King. Now deserted, the old house is tucked away in a sheltered corner of Melaleuca Inlet: if you look closely, you will see that parts of the garden that were once lovingly tended by Winsome still exist even today. From here, an easy walk takes you to the summit of Mt Beattie, where you will be rewarded with a spectacular view over the areas you have so thoroughly explored over the past three days. Back at camp, you will pack the boats and paddle back along Melaleuca Inlet to meet your plane for the scenic flight back to Hobart. |
NoneBreakfastDates & Prices
Please contact us for group bookings or private departures.
More Info
This tour departs from and finishes in Hobart, TAS. Return transfers to and from the city to the tour location are provided. Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Hobart via the Hobart International Airport.
The dynamic weather is one of the many attractions of this unique World Heritage Area wilderness. Daytime summer temperatures can range from 10° to 35°c and at least one day (and sometimes multiple days) of rain or drizzle is to be expected; evening temperatures regularly drop below 10°C. In this moist maritime environment, quality wet weather gear and thermal garments are a necessity for your safety and comfort.
Due to the unique nature of the area and the variability of weather, there is no fixed route or schedule for this tour. On a typical day, you will paddle for approximately 2-3 hours in the morning and 2-3 hours in the afternoon. Paddling speed is relaxed (i.e. a relaxed walk rather than a sprint). Previous kayaking experience is not necessary, but it is important to have a sound level of fitness, and, most of all, a sense of adventure.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
