Nightfall on Wallagoot: Kayaking Beneath Stars and Lanterned Waters

WALLAGOOT WATER ACTIVITIES FIELD GUIDE

Nightfall on Wallagoot: Kayaking Beneath Stars and Lanterned Waters

A 3-hour guided evening kayak on Wallagoot Lake that pairs shoreline wildlife viewing and a shore supper with underwater lights to reveal nocturnal aquatic life.

Nightfall on Wallagoot: Kayaking Beneath Stars and Lanterned Waters.

Duration
3 hour
Location
Wallagoot
Operator
Navigate Expeditions
Category
Water Activities
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

On this three-hour evening paddle, Navigate Expeditions guides you off the beaten path onto the sheltered waters of Wallagoot Lake, where dunes, wetlands and still open water conspire to make sunset and starlight feel elemental. You’ll glide through seabird-haunted shallows, stop on shore for supper, and return by starlight while searching the water below with special underwater lights and kayak-mounted lamps.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE NIGHTSCAPE

Sunset and Stars over a Tranquil Lake

The tour is timed to coincide with sunset, offering a late-evening start that makes for a dramatic transition from golden shorelines to a starlit paddle as the lake’s evening chorus rises.

THE WILDLIFE

Seabirds, Kangaroos and a Chorus of Night Creatures

Paddling through protected wetlands brings close encounters with pelicans, black swans, cormorants and sea eagles; sandy dunes offer chances to see kangaroos grazing at dusk while frogs and evening birds provide a nocturnal soundtrack.

THE UNDERWATER WORLD

Illuminated Shallows: Fish, Prawns and Jellyfish

With underwater lights mounted on the kayaks, guides search the shallow, protected waters for fish, prawns, jellyfish and even stingrays—a different, glowing view of local aquatic life.

What the day feels like

What the Evening Feels Like

You’ll meet at the sailing club, push off into placid water and paddle through wetlands alive with seabirds, then come ashore for a simple supper before heading back under stars with lights cast into the dark water to reveal a secret aquatic world—a compact, deliberate outing that compresses sunset, shore-side grazing wildlife and nocturnal marine life into a single three-hour experience.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this tour suits — and why the small-group format matters.

1
Families with older childrenDescribed as a fantastic experience for the entire family and run as a small-group outing, the tour can accommodate family groups while keeping numbers intimate.
2
Small groups and pairsWith a maximum of 12 participants, the trip is ideal for couples or small groups seeking a quiet, guided night experience.
3
Wildlife watchersThose focused on birdlife and dusk/dawn mammal activity will find the wetlands, dunes and shoreline especially rewarding during the tour’s timed sunset window.
4
Conservation-minded travelersTravelers who prefer operators that support local wildlife efforts will appreciate the tour’s small size and its donation to regional wildlife rescue.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Duration

The tour runs for approximately three hours.

Meeting point & access

The trip begins at the Wallagoot Lake Sailing Club; it’s a short drive from Merimbula (about 20 minutes) and Tathra (about 15 minutes).

What to bring

Bring a hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, a full bottle of water, a head torch, and closed-toe shoes (reef shoes or old trainers). Wear shorts or 3/4 length pants and bring warm layers and a spare change of clothes; bring swimmers and a towel if you plan to swim. Insect repellent is provided (natural); avoid DEET products near equipment.

Borrowable items

The operator can loan some closed-toe shoes and rain gear and provides dry bags for spare clothes.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the Sunset and Stars Kayaking Tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Where do we meet and how far is it from nearby towns?

You meet at the Wallagoot Lake Sailing Club; it’s about a 20-minute drive from Merimbula and roughly 15 minutes from Tathra.

What will we do and see on the tour?

Paddle through wetlands toward the lake mouth to view seabirds and grazing kangaroos at dusk, stop ashore for a supper platter, then return after dark using underwater lights to look for fish, prawns, jellyfish and stingrays.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring a hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, a full water bottle, a head torch and closed-toe shoes; wear shorts or 3/4-length pants and layers for cool evenings. Rain gear, some shoes and dry bags are available to borrow.

Is the tour family-friendly and how many people are on a tour?

The tour is described as a fantastic experience for the family and runs with a maximum of 12 people per trip.

Does the tour support local conservation?

$1 from every tour is donated to South Coast Wildlife Rescue to support wildlife in the region.