THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A three‑day series of half-day paddles and ecology sessions around Tathra and Kalaru for teens 12–18. Build kayak skills, practice navigation, and take part in real conservation work on the Sapphire Coast.
A three‑day series of half-day paddles and ecology sessions around Tathra and Kalaru for teens 12–18. Build kayak skills, practice navigation, and take part in real conservation work on the Sapphire Coast.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Navigate Expeditions · Kalaru, New South Wales
On the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, the Youth Adventure Holiday Program runs three consecutive half-day sessions around Tathra and nearby waterways, giving teens a hands-on introduction to kayaking, navigation and coastal ecology. Over three mornings participants move between Wallagoot Lake, The Gap, Kalaru and the Bega River, finishing at Mogareeka at the Bega River mouth. Each day mixes skill drills with active games, morning tea, wildlife spotting and practical conservation work such as beach clean-ups and citizen science surveys.
The setting is quietly dramatic: flat estuary channels, tidal lagoons, and the low, wind-sculpted headlands that define the local coastline. Key features include Wallagoot Lake’s glassy backwaters, the narrow river channels of the Bega, and the shifting sandbanks at Mogareeka — excellent places to watch egrets and kingfishers hunt along mangrove-lined shallows. Vegetation transitions from saltmarsh and mangrove at the tidal margins to paperbark and coastal scrub on higher ground; geological surfaces are mostly coastal sediments and riverine alluvium shaped by tidal flow.
This program stands out because it combines outdoor skill-building with conservation practice in a small-group format limited to 14 teens. Instructors focus on paddling technique and navigation while integrating bushcraft basics, teamwork challenges and hands-on environmental education. For families visiting Kalaru, Tathra and the wider Sapphire Coast, the series offers a purposeful way for young people to gain confidence outdoors while contributing to local stewardship.
Logistics are simple: three half-day sessions, suitable for ages 12–18, with locations that rotate according to weather and tides. Because activities take place on open water and changing shorelines, the operator adjusts sites to match conditions; read the trip notes and check gear suggestions before arriving. The program’s emphasis on citizen science makes it a useful option for young people interested in biology, environmental studies or outdoor leadership.
Why book this trip? It’s a practical, low-barrier introduction to paddle skills in varied coastal environments, paired with conservation work that leaves a visible impact. The format encourages social connection and leadership—qualities families and youth program coordinators value. Whether your teen wants to build paddling competence, learn basic navigation and bushcraft, or simply spend crisp mornings exploring lagoons and river mouths, the Youth Adventure Holiday Program on the Sapphire Coast delivers a structured, memorable outdoor experience rooted in real-world conservation. Participants also practice map-and-compass basics, tidal awareness and simple gear maintenance, building practical skills that transfer to school expeditions and future sea-kayaking. Guides prioritize low-impact travel and teach Leave No Trace principles during clean-ups, so young people leave sites in better condition than they found them. Families can combine the series with local beaches, walking tracks and oyster farms in nearby towns for a fuller Sapphire Coast itinerary.
The program accepts participants aged 12–18.
Space is limited to 14 participants per series to keep groups manageable and safe.
Guides typically supply kayaks, paddles and PFDs—confirm equipment details at booking.
Locations rotate and activities are adjusted for safety; the operator will communicate changes due to weather or tides.
No prior experience is required; sessions are designed for beginners to develop paddling and navigation skills.
Meeting point details vary by series and may change with locations—check booking notes or contact the operator for logistics.
Navigate Expeditions operates from Broadwater, New South Wales, offering guided nature tours, kayak experiences and e-bike hire across the Sapphire Coast. The business provides a range of options including short 2-hour highlights of Eden, half- and full-day small-group tours tailored for cruise guests, and specialised experiences such as Aboriginal Culture Kayak Tours and Light to Light Walk Transfers. Additional offerings include E-Bike and Mountain Bike hire in Port of Eden, evening Sunset and Stars kayaking on Wallagoot Lake, and paddling trips on the Pambula, Bermagui and Bega rivers, plus Brogo Dam adventures. Tours are run with local guides and include small-group formats and dedicated transfers where specified. The Aboriginal Culture Kayak Tour is led by Indigenous storytellers along the Pambula River, and the Light to Light Walk Transfers provide exclusive transport for the 30km walk in Beowa National Park. Several experiences include morning tea or local refreshments as part of the itinerary. Navigate Expeditions focuses on nature-based experiences—wildlife viewing, wetlands exploration, coastal scenery and guided interpretation of local history and ecology. Services are suitable for a range of abilities, with easy paddles and self-guided e-bike picnic options available. Booking notes and trip-specific details are provided per tour to set clear expectations for participants. All descriptions above are factual representations of the tours and services offered by Navigate Expeditions based on available trip summaries and locations.
Book with Navigate Expeditions