KAYAK PORT STEPHENS BROUGHTON ISLAND
Join us for a Kayak Port Stephens Broughton Island weekend adventure and explore the only NSW Island where camping is allowed year round
The kayak Port Stephens Broughton Island Adventure takes two nights and three days
The total price of only $ 824 includes all food, transportation, kayaks, professional guides, and safety equipment.
In addition, you must be at least 15 years old.
Prefer to phone , mobile 0438563307
Kayak Port Stephens Broughton Island, is the only island on the NSW coast where camping is encouraged.
Walking Rivers has tailored a two-day kayak and two night camping experience on the island designed to give anyone the perfect getaway experience.
Kayaking, discovering the wildlife, snorkelling & camping are just some of the fantastic activities you can do on the island.
Key points why are we different
Why we love our Kayak Port Stephens Broughton Island
Our Kayak Port Stephens Broughton Island experience is one of our most outstanding adventures, and it’s for a good reason.
The 148-acre island is part of the Myall Lakes National Park. A large variety of wildlife lives both on the island and in the waters around it. We camp amongst an active seabird colony of wedge-tailed shearwaters.
Being only a couple of hours drive north of a major city, Newcastle NSW also adds to the appeal of the port Stephens Broughton island experience.
Kayak Port Stephens Broughton Island provides the opportunity to get up close and personal with humpback whales in the migration season
The island offers a sense of tranquillity and isolation that can be difficult to achieve on the mainland.
Key points why we love our Island
Activity highlights
There are so many highlights about a kayak Port Stephens Broughton Island adventure its hard to know where to begin, but i will try.
Firstly, there is the opportunity to hike up the Ninety-meter high headland of Esmeralda Cove.Once you reach the top, the views are just breathtaking.
You will be able to look out over Little Broughton island, Australia will fall away from you both to the North and the South. Additionally, you will be looking down on a cutting that runs through the island known as the Looking Glass.
Secondly, you will be able to swim and snorkel in the cutting, a place that all manner of underwater creatures calls home. Including Grey Nurse Sharks, giant rays, wobbegong sharks and a myriad of different species of fish.
Thirdly, sitting in Esmeralda cove at night with the surf gently breaking on the pristine sandy beach, sharing stories from the days paddling as well as curling up in your tent will leave you feeling like you are in another world.
Additionally, with all of Walking Rivers experiences for people with a penchant for photography, the opportunities are everywhere.
Finally, a leisurely Kayak around the shores of the island can also reveal more of the secrets of the island.
Key points, activity highlights
More about the wildlife
The Port Stephens coastal region is famous for providing access for people to be able to get up and personal with both Whales and Dolphins.
Depending on the time of year you choose to book your island experience can have an influence on which sea life you may encounter. Between May through to November is whale watching time and dolphins are around in the warmer months of Nove8mber through to April.
The Broughton Island experience offers some of the best opportunities for viewing and paddling with these creatures available anywhere.
Kayaking with Dolphins and Whales
Paddling silently along in a kayak enables you to watch the Dolphins and Whales swimming from the same level as them. Seeing them this way makes for a truly memorable and unique experience.
With whales, you will often be close enough to see the water part as these gentle giants of the deep rise to the surface to take a breath. Sometimes being close enough that you will see the spout of water they blow out turn to mist against the island backdrop.Its guaranteed to get your heart pumping with excitement and bring squeals of joy to from your mouth.
As with all creatures in nature, there is never a guarantee of seeing them. However, the chances are better than 90% of viewing both whales and dolphins during the right seasons.
Broughton Island will provide you with memories and dinner party conversations that will last a lifetime.
Key points, about the wildlife
Getting there is a lot of fun
Firstly, we start our journey from our home base in Newcastle, travel North on the Pacific highway eventually turning off towards to the Myall Lakes National Park (approximately two hours).
Our bus can pick people up at one of our designated meeting places along the way and return you to the same spot. We are as flexible as possible with our pickups to try and make it easy for you. Talk to us on an individual basis to arrange your pickup point.
Of course, we will bring you back to your pick up location when your adventure ends.
The island lies approximately fourteen kilometres northeast of Port Stephens and about three kilometres offshore. Or roughly an hours Paddle from our launch point.
Note: Paddling can be longer depending on weather and launch location.
We have had a range of age groups complete Kayak Port Stephens Broughton Island tour. Although initially many people are hesitant fearing the unknown about a paddle offshore.
The guides have years of offshore experience, and additionally, we only go in ideal weather conditions.
There is nothing to be fearful of the worst that has ever happened is people have got wet.
Key points, about getting there
Broughton Island camping platforms
Camping on Broughton Island is a privilege and it is strictly controlled by NSW National Parks.
Firstly, the main restriction is numbers of people at any one time. Secondly, where we can camp is the other restricted item.
Our tents are pitched on man made wooden platforms overlooking the beach, in the fabulous Esmeralda Cove. Right in the heart of the Island.
The camping platforms are complete with a toilet block ,which is nice as many of our journeys do not have any facilities.
Key points, about our camping
About the food
Primarily all our food is vegetarian or similar, the reason for this is simple ,we have no refrigeration. Don’t let this put you off though , we specialise in cooking food in remote areas that tastes outstanding.
No one has ever complained about our food.
Additionally, we like to top our delicious meals of with some camp style baking.
Key points, about the food
ABOUT YOU
If you are at all apprehensive about your abilities to undertake something like the Port Stephens Broughton Island Kayak Adventure, please remember our experienced guides will train you in the skills needed to paddle the Kayaks with ease.All you need is to be moderately fit and have a yearning for some safe and controlled adventure.
Going on a fully guided adventure is very different to going it alone. Being conducted by professional, trained, qualified people allows us to go to many places that would be unthinkable on our own. Additionally, we consider you to be part of a team overcoming all the challenges our journeys throws at us.
Walking Rivers has comprehensive risk management and contingency plans in place as well safety procedures that ensure you will be free to not worry about anything too much other than having fun.
If after considering all the above you are not sure about paddling offshore you can always have a look here at our iconic snowy river adventure
PRE TRIP MEETING
When
Approximately one week before leaving
How
We endeavour to telephone or Skype every person who has booked the Kayak Port Stephens Broughton Island Adventure with us. After the introductions, your guide will tell you about the logistics of the journey and any other relevant details.
The call also gives us a chance to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your adventure.
Additionally, we will confirm the exact departure time and location, for each person or to alert you if there are have been any last minute changes.
Departure day
You will be a member of a team partaking in an adventure experience from the moment we meet at our departure point.
Our Kayak Port Stephens Broughton Island Tour is the most favorable weather dependant tour we have. It can mean sometimes getting away very early on our first day, to fit into a narrow weather window. You will be advised the night before departure of our exact departure time.
Initially, if you are departing with us from Newcastle, our first one and half hours are spent highway driving up to our first turn off into Tea Gardens the gateway to the southern end of the Myall Lakes National Park.
On arriving at our destination, a lakeside camping area situated between the lakes and the ocean, we unload the kayaks, our gear and say goodbye to the bus.
Getting ready to paddle
Its now time to get out on to the water and get comfortable with the kayaks and how they behave.
However, before we get in the boats, we will do some onshore training just to make sure everyone is on the same page.
We will start be covering the following strokes:
Its a great chance for some revision for the more experienced paddlers and for the new kayakers they will quickly see how easy kayaking is.
Don’t worry too much if you can’t get these strokes one of the guides can always give you a tow.
Next task will be to pack all our gear into the Kayaks getting ready to leave for our campsite on the island roughly 2 hours paddling away.
Before heading off, we will have a bit more instruction about:
- Self-rescue techniques
- Equipment Demonstration
- Group management
- Safety procedures
Wow!!! Fully armed with all our new kayaking knowledge and everyone on the same page it should be an excellent paddle out to our island paradise.
Before we go ashore onto the island and set up camp, we will spend some time paddling around exploring the shoreline.
Camp in style
Eventually, it will be time for us to go ashore at a place called Esmeralda cove and settle into getting our campsite functional.
After setting up the campsite, there will be some free time for people to relax and enjoy the ambiance of camping in such an outstanding location.
Dinner time will see us tucking into a sumptuous feast, then sitting under the stars re-living the days highlights.
For those people that are tired, bed is going to be very welcome at whatever time you wish.
Second day in paradise
Rise and shine ready for another very exciting day.
Firstly we have a hearty breakfast. After which we head off for an island discovery walk which includes climbing up to the highest point for a look at the stunning views and learning about the native animals that reside on the island.
Don’t worry we also will have plenty of time for those who like to go snorkelling among the island unique gutters and caves to see the outstanding sea-life.
Finally, it will be time to pack everything up, load the Kayaks and then set off on the return paddle to the mainland and then back onto the bus and home.
IMPORTANT:
Our approximate return time to Newcastle is between 5 -7 pm, however, due to the number of variables in wilderness travel we recommend that you don’t plan any critical appointments that rely on us being back at this time. Fixed times and dates can cause unnecessarily stressful complications should our return be delayed by something out of our control. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss your travel plans in more detail. We can pick you up or drop you off at the Airport or from your house.
