Navigate Expeditions

14/06/2024

🚴‍♀️ Your Reviews Help Us! 🌟

Travel and experience websites, booking agents, and Google rely on customer reviews to rank and list businesses like ours. If you joined us for a tour this year, please take a moment to leave us a review. It will really help other travelers discover our tours!

📍 Add a Google Review: https://g.page/r/CWm0iZFvmZxQEAI/review

📝 Add a Tripadvisor Review: https://www.tripadvisor.com/UserReviewEdit-g494969-d25317487-Navigate_Expeditions-Eden_New_South_Wales.html

We always welcome reviews directly as well as constructive feedback too, so please email us with any ideas for improvement at [email protected]

Thank you for your support and for helping us grow our Navigate Expeditions family! 🌿✨

12/06/2024

We recently hosted Sophie Turner from 'We Are Explorers' on our kayaking tour during her trip to Eden. Check out the amazing blog she wrote about her experience with us and all the other exciting activities she enjoyed while exploring Eden and surrounds.

https://weareexplorers.co/exploring-eden/

11/06/2024

Join us on June 22nd for our special Kayaking and Fungi Tour, part of the South Coast Fungi Festival! 🚣‍♀️✨

If you love kayaking and have a passion for the fascinating world of fungi, this event is perfect for you. Navigate Expeditions is excited to host this unique experience, guided by a fungi specialist. 🌊🍂

Explore the serene beauty of the river while learning about the incredible role fungi play in our environment. Whether you're a seasoned nature enthusiast or just looking for a fun morning out, this tour is for everyone!

📅 Date: June 22nd
🕒 Time: 8 AM
📍 Location: 52 Landing Rd, Broadwater

Spots are limited, so make sure to secure your place today! Click the link to book now and be part of this unforgettable adventure. 🌟

https://www.fungifeastival.com.au/calendar

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect with nature and learn something new. See you on the river! 🌊🍄

09/06/2024

Our Aboriginal Cultural Kayak Tour has quickly become our third most popular experience and it’s only been operational since October!

Through this collaboration with Twofold Aboriginal Corporation we've been able to donate a total of $990 to their incredible initiatives. This endeavour would not have been possible without the exceptional guidance of Nathan from Yandama On Country, whose leadership and knowledge have enriched every tour.

🚣‍♂️💚 Beyond the tours, we're also proud to support Twofold Aboriginal Corporation directly by supporting their catering services for the tour.

Here's what one of our guests had to say:

“Thanks Jess and Nathan (Yandama On Country) for an immersive experience on the Aboriginal Cultural Kayak Tour 😊 🙏 I learnt so much from Nathan’s sharing of Thaua/Yuin knowledge, practice and stories. I feel so privileged to have had the experience of feeling connected with the land, waters and air we live in/with, and to hear from Nathan about knowledge/culture that is over 8000 years old and continuous to evolve. Loved the wildlife, clear blue water, balmy swimming beach and hot fresh plunger coffee with lemon Myrtle slice. I’m up for this again! Highly recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐”

We are dedicated to fostering these meaningful collaborations that support community and culture.

🌊🛶 If you haven't yet experienced this incredible journey, join us and be part of something truly special.

Book your adventure now and contribute to a great cause!

06/06/2024

🌟 Light to Light Kayak & Walking Tour - Reconnect with Nature! 🌟

We are excited to announce our revamped Light to Light Kayak & Walking Tour, now with a stronger focus on nature connection! 🌿✨

🔹 Program Highlights:
* Extended stay: Now enjoy 3 nights at the historic Green Cape Lighthouse Keepers Cottages, complete with ocean views and cozy fireplaces.
* Cultural immersion: Join a special cultural kayaking tour to deepen your connection to the lands you'll be exploring.
* Whale watching: Timed during whale migration season
* All-inclusive: Pack-free experience with chef-prepared meals.
* Small groups: Maximum of 10 guests for a personalised and intimate adventure.
* Scenic upgrades: Enjoy the full 30km Light to Light Track’s newly upgraded trail.
* Oyster experience: Indulge in a unique oyster journey with Broadwater Oysters.�
Join us for a breathtaking adventure through Beowa National Park, where you'll paddle the oyster-lined waters of the Pambula River and traverse the stunning Light to Light Coastal Trail. Our expert guides will share the region’s rich ecology, history, and culture, making your journey truly unforgettable.

📅 Tour Dates:
* November 8th to 11th, 2024
* Private tours available upon request

🎉 Special Offer: Book before July and receive a 20% discount! 🌟 More details on our website or email [email protected] to secure your spot and receive the discounted offer.

Don’t miss out on this incredible adventure!

03/06/2024

Have you heard of the South Coast Fungi Festival? Join us from 21st June to 22nd July for an array of activities from Batemans Bay to Eden!

🌿 Kayaking and Fungi Tour with Navigate Expeditions
The highlight of the festival (IMHO)! If you love kayaking and fungi, this is the tour for you. Spend time in nature with like-minded people and learn about the fascinating world of fungi with a specialist. Tours are hosted on June 22nd and July 13th. Book now to secure your spot.

Other activities being hosted that month include:

🌱 Learn about Fungi with seminars and workshops to discover the role of fungi in nature and their environmental benefits.

🍄 Grow Your Own Gourmet Mushrooms

🐾 Experience a Truffle Hunt

🍽 Expand your culinary knowledge with cooking classes

🎨 Art workshops to photograph fungi or create your own mushroom pottery.

Don’t miss out on this unique and educational festival! Celebrate the world of fungi with us and enjoy fun activities for all ages.

https://www.fungifeastival.com.au/calendar

02/06/2024

We are super proud to have donated $945 to South Coast Wildlife Rescue this financial year! As part of our commitment to running a sustainable eco-tourism business, every one of our tours gives back to an organization. We raised the $945 from our Bermagui River kayaking tours and our 5-hour highlights tour of Eden. Both areas have been affected by wildfires, with many animals lost.

These funds will go towards supporting the hotline and helping members rescue, care for, and release sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. Most of the funds are used for medical expenses and animal food costs. Some of our staff are volunteers for the wildlife rescue, so it’s an organization close to our hearts!

Thank you to everyone who joined our tours, and a big thanks to those who participated in the Bermagui River Kayaking tour and the 5-hour tour of Eden for making this special contribution possible.

31/05/2024

We have just purchased a fleet of e-bikes! The feedback we received from guests using our mountain bikes last summer was that they wanted e-bikes - we do live in a hilly area! I’m really looking forward to ‘testing’ out these beauties on our local bike path.

While we wait for our delivery, we are brainstorming new experiences to offer guests. I’m loving the idea of a Pedal and Picnic, where guests can hire the bikes with a locally produced picnic included, and a map to some beautiful scenic picnic destinations.

Do you have any other ideas for cool guided or self-guided experiences we should offer with these beauties? Let me know!

28/05/2024

What a perfect day to test out some kayaks! We’re investing in a second fleet of kayaks to maximize our summer trade and run two tours simultaneously. Watch out world, as if summer wasn’t busy enough already! Now comes the hard decision... what should our second fleet of kayaks be? We’re purchasing from Australis Canoes and Kayaks, based just south of Sydney. They generously came to meet us today so we could test paddle a few options.

The tough part is deciding on the type of kayak and the color options! I’m so excited for this! While I love our Hobie kayaks, having a second fleet and supporting an Australian manufacturer (and a family that knows some of our top kayak guides) is really exciting. Watch this space... after picking the kayaks, next is deciding on the colors... decision paralysis much?

14/05/2024

Heading to ATE Melbourne 2024! 🌟

Next week, Navigate Expeditions will be at the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) in Melbourne/Narrm, the largest annual business-to-business tourism event in Australia. Thanks to support from , we’re geared up for an incredible opportunity to connect with tourism businesses from across the country.

Joining from our team are Jess, our owner and operator (pictured), along with Mel, our product developer and communications manager. We’re excited to showcase the stunning Far South Coast NSW, highlighting the unique experiences our region offers. With over 80 meetings scheduled across four days, our calendar is bustling! However, we’re always eager to meet new faces and explore potential collaborations. If you see us during any downtime or networking events, don’t hesitate to come over for a chat.

10/05/2024

We received such a touching email from one of our recent groups that participated in our Cultural Kayaking tour on the Pambula River that we just had to share.

"Thank you, Navigate Expeditions, for an unforgettable experience on Friday. Our young guests were deeply moved by the tour—it was truly special and memorable. A big shoutout to our guides, Nathan and Lawrence, for their exceptional guidance. Nathan's profound cultural knowledge and leadership left a lasting impression, especially on the young Aboriginal boys in our group. It was a privilege to witness such powerful connections being made."

These moments are what we strive for at Navigate Expeditions. Every tour is a chance to create lasting memories and foster appreciation for our rich cultural heritage. 💫

Every cultural tour on the Pambula River includes a direct contribution to the Twofold Aboriginal Corporation and is led by an Indigenous leader, ensuring an authentic and enriching experience. For those who prefer to stay on land but still wish to delve into the rich cultural heritage of our region, we highly recommend contacting .on.country They offer guided cultural walks that provide deep insights into the local traditions and history. Supporting these initiatives not only enriches your understanding but also supports the preservation of Indigenous culture.

07/05/2024

Celebrate Mother's Day on the water! This Sunday, May 12th, treat your family to a unique experience with our Aboriginal Cultural Tour on the Pambula River. Learn about the rich history and culture from an Indigenous guide and see the river from a whole new perspective. Enjoy a special 20% discount by using the promo code MD24 when you book. This offer is valid only for the tour on May 12th, and bookings close on Thursday, May 9th. Don't worry about the light rain forecast— we provide raincoats and pants, and the river's beauty shines in any weather. Join us at 8 AM at Broadwater for a memorable Mother’s Day outing.

27/04/2024

Another amazing Aboriginal Culture Kayak Tour was enjoyed by Cann River High School this week. Pambula River in Autumn is absolutely beautiful.

14/04/2024

We celebrated our “Survived the Season” gathering on Friday at . Since Christmas is our busiest time, we find autumn, post-cruise season, the perfect moment to appreciate our incredible team. Since launching in November 2021 with just two casual staff, Navigate Expeditions has grown to 16 casual staff. The professionalism and dedication of every team member have shaped Navigate into what it is today.

Working mostly solo or in pairs, it was special to bring everyone and their families together for one night. While I didn’t capture many photos—too caught up in the socialising and food prep—others shared snaps from our evening around the farm’s fire pit, enjoying stories and wholesome food, with kombucha on tap courtesy of .

Though cruise season has wound down, remember, we operate all year! Our staff agree, the cooler months might just be the best time to explore the Sapphire Coast—quieter beaches, calm mornings, and ideal temperatures. We’re always ready to take you on the water!

Huge thanks to our team; the seasons change, but our enthusiasm to show our guests the very best of the Sapphire coast doesn’t.

06/04/2024

As we conclude the cruise season, it's time to reflect on the positive impact made through our tours. Every guest joining Navigate Expeditions contributes to environmental and cultural organisations. This season, our cruise guests will enabled us to donate over $1600 to various groups, with a $700 contribution already made to Take 3. Take 3 for the Sea resonates with our mission, echoing our commitment to ocean health as our cruise guests explore Australia's waters.

Our support for Take 3 for the Sea aligns with our core values of environmental conservation. On all tours, we encourage our guests and guides to pick up litter, logging the quantity to measure our collective impact by the end of the financial year.

Take 3 for the Sea's vision is to protect wildlife and conserve the environment from plastic pollution, fostering a global movement connected to the planet. Their mission aligns closely with ours: to inspire actions that mitigate plastic pollution and waste in our oceans and the environment.

Making a difference during our 2-hour cruise tours felt challenging, but contributions to organisations like Take 3 for the Sea allow us to support a broader environmental cause. We continually urge our guests to minimize single-use plastic, use reusable water bottles, and adhere to Leave No Trace principles, communicated through our website and pre/during/post-tour interactions.

Thank you to all our guests who chose to experience Navigate Expeditions. The money you spend with us supports not only our community but also vital environmental and cultural organisations. We are immensely grateful for every single booking on our tours. Thank you for enabling us to make this substantial contribution.

Photos: Snapshots of guests and scenic highlights from our 2-hour Eden tour.

Ecotourism Australia

31/03/2024

28/03/2024

Yesterday marked one of the last cruise ship visits of the season, the Norwegian Spirit - although we don’t play favorites, there’s a special place in our hearts for this vessel and its passengers. The Spirit graced the Port of Eden an impressive seven times this season, and each visit has been nothing short of extraordinary.

In the brief five hours of their last visit, we had the pleasure of hosting over 100 guests across 11 diverse tours, with 9 dedicated staff ensuring a smooth and seamless experience. We’re immensely proud of our team’s effort and the joy we’ve brought to our guests. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us; we hope we’ve shared with you why Eden holds such a special place in our hearts. From kangaroos to the sighting of a black snake, gang-gang cockatoos, and the crowd favourite stingrays, wildlife encounters were abundant.

As we look ahead to the next season, the winter break will be a time for us to refine and enhance our offerings. Here’s to making future experiences even more memorable. Thank you, Norwegian Spirit passengers, for making this season unforgettable.

25/03/2024

🌦 Don't wait for the weather to decide! Our tours offer breathtaking experiences in any weather condition - cloudy, sunny, or a bit of rain. 🛶

We have a few spots left for our Pambula River Kayaking tour on Good Friday, March 29th. We're booked out for Saturday through Monday, but there’s availability starting Tuesday onwards. 🌤️

Embrace the adventure, regardless of the forecast! Book your spot now.

Photo by DestinationNSW

23/03/2024

We're considering creating a special 4-day Women's Retreat, in addition to our regular tours, designed to foster connections among women with nature and each other. This retreat would include our signature walks and kayaking, plus extras like nourishing meals, supportive female guides, women's circles, yoga, cupping therapy, and meditation. We want to hear from you: What activities would enhance your retreat experience? Let us know!

20/03/2024

Adventure knows no limits! 🌿💙 Join us on our accessible tours, where everyone gets to experience the beauty of the Sapphire Coast. Here's a snapshot of one of our amazing guests, enjoying an unforgettable journey with us.

We have accessible vehicles and guides with fantastic knowledge of the best places to visit for all abilities.

18/03/2024

Friends in High Places - Our kayaking group on the Pambula River was captured from above this Sunday! Despite the clouds, the river's beauty shone through. Our guests enjoyed sightings of soldier crabs, sea eagles, and various birds, all while staying dry under the looming skies. 🛶💙

This school holiday, why not join us for a serene paddle on the Bermagui, Pambula, or Bega River? Book your adventure on our website now!

https://navigateexpeditions.com/

07/03/2024

Looking for weekend plans? Paddle the Pambula River on Saturday or immerse in culture with our Cultural Kayaking Tour on Sunday. Join us! Book via our website: NavigateExpeditions.com

14/02/2024

Steer clear of Eden if pristine nature, endless gorgeous beaches, intriguing history, and a quaint fishing village vibe aren't your thing. Seriously, stay on the ship!

This is in light of a recent 2-star Tripadvisor review we received…
“The tour guide tried to make it interesting, but the port really does not offer much. It really doesn't pay to take a tour in this port. Not much to see. Not much to do. I say enjoy the ship.”

After I've had my fun poking at this and other similar reviews, I'll share some of the glowing 5-star feedback we've received. We're incredibly thankful for these, as they truly overshadow the odd negative ones. Stay tuned for some real insights into what Eden has to offer!

14/02/2024

Celebrate the new journey ahead for Johan and Mel! 🌟 After over a year of incredible contributions to Navigate Expeditions, their departure marks both a bittersweet moment (for us) and an exciting new chapter (for them). From expertly guiding 100’s of guests on tours to enhancing our safety protocols with their vast outdoor experience, they've left an indelible mark on our team. Their commitment, from live TV appearances to hosting DNSW executives, showcased their unparalleled professionalism and dedication. As they embark on an Australian family adventure, we bid them farewell with gratitude. Their absence will be deeply felt, but their adventurous spirit will continue to inspire us. Safe travels, Johan, Mel and family. Your adventures await, and we can't wait to see where they lead. You will be dearly missed, but forever part of our Navigate family. 💙 Join us by wishing Mel and Johan well on their journey.

11/02/2024

Seeking a Mini Bus! 🚌 Calling all clubs, support services, and fellow small businesses in the Bega Valley: could we hire your 12-seater mini bus? We’re in need of an extra one or two for the 3rd, 5th, and 27th of March. Appreciate your support! Thank you! 🙏

Email: [email protected] or send me a DM

10/02/2024

While we love sharing our 5-star reviews, today we received our first-ever 1-star feedback. It’s a reminder that it’s impossible to please everyone, yet it’s disappointing when the only review from the almost hundred guests that we hosted on Thursday comes from someone less impressed. Our guides received abundant positive feedback, which makes this review stand out even more. If you’ve enjoyed a tour with us, we kindly ask you to share your experience on TripAdvisor or Google. Positive reviews really support our small, regional business and help balance out the rare negative ones.

The 1 star review on Tripadvisor: “Might have been a good hiking tour, but that is not how it was advertised — “ages 3 to 100.” We sat in a parked van the duration unable to manoeuvre steep mountainous terrain.”

Concerning the review mentioning the tour’s mobility requirements, we strive to accurately describe our tours, including the 100m wheel chair friendly walk along a slightly sloping footpath from the car park to the Rotary Park Lookout that these guests were unable to manage or the optional 1 km walk in Beowa National Park, showcasing the stunning Pinnacles. My 2yr old has completed both walks unassisted. We strive to make our tours accessible to all abilities, offering more than just a drive-by experience. Our goal is to immerse our guests in natures sights, sounds, tastes, and textures of our beautiful region. This includes some immersive walking. We can provide hiking on mountainous terrain but it’s certainly not the description I would use for a wheel chair and toddler friendly walks that we take guests on for the 2 hour tour. We regret any misunderstanding and are committed to ensuring every guest enjoys a fulfilling and memorable experience with us.

08/02/2024

What a day yesterday! Thanks for our amazing team of guides and all the wonderful guests who joined us on tours from the Cruise Ship Norweigen Spirit. We absoutly love showing off Eden and it’s nature to all our visiting cruise guests. We hosted close to 100 guests on our 2 hr and 5 hour highlights of Eden tour as well as our Pambula River Kayaking tour and mountain bike hire. It’s a quick turn around with the same ship and different passangers returning tomorrow for another epic day in Eden. Bring it on, we can’t wait !

07/02/2024

At Navigate Expeditions we take safety for our clients very seriously.
Last Friday we conducted one of our Guide Training and Update days where we test all our policies and procedures with our kayak guides. Among our tasks, we look at briefings, weather and tides, towing of kayaks, rescues, PFD performance and more...And we get to have a little fun too!

'Getting on the river is always fun! Come and join us!

31/12/2023

Kick off your next year with an adventure! Join us for our upcoming tours:

2nd Jan: Aboriginal Cultural Kayaking Tour (2 spots left)
3rd: Bermagui River Kayaking (3 spots left)
4th: Pambula River
5th: Kayak and Shuck and Bermagui River
6th: Pambula River
7th: Pambula River
8th: Pambula River

29/12/2023

Excited to share this wonderful feedback about our Aboriginal Cultural Kayak Tour on the Pambula River, in collaboration with Twofold Aboriginal Corporation and expertly guided by Nathan from .on.country . 🚣‍♂️

'Thank you for the great experience this morning. The guides were amazing and so knowledgeable! I learned so much about local history and enjoyed yummy bush tucker samples. Most enjoyable and highly recommendable!' - Toni Johnson

It's so nice to receive such positive comments and grateful for recommendations. Thank you for your words and photos, Toni

Our next Aboriginal Cultural Kayak Tour is on January 2nd 2024.