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.
Adventure brief
Nightfall on Wallagoot: Kayaking Beneath Stars and Lanterned Waters
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.
Located on the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, Australia, Wallagoot Lake offers a rare opportunity to witness the vibrant life of coastal wetlands under the cover of night. The Sunset and Stars Kayaking Tour invites adventurers to explore this serene, protected waterway just minutes from the towns of Merimbula and Tathra. This unique nighttime paddle reveals a side of the lake few get to see, blending tranquil scenery with a touch of wilderness under a sky full of stars.
The tour begins at the Wallagoot Lake Sailing Club, where guests are equipped with sit-on-top kayaks designed for stability and ease. As the sun dips low, groups set off to glide silently past wetlands alive with seabirds, including pelicans, black swans, cormorants, and the majestic sea eagles soaring overhead. The sandy dunes along the shoreline come alive with grazing kangaroos emerging at dusk, creating a stunning natural tableau.
After soaking in the sunset over water framed by native flora, paddlers take a break onshore for a delightful supper. This platter features locally produced Tilba cheese, crackers, and seasonal fruit accompanied by hot drinks and fresh orange juice, allowing guests to unwind and savor the peaceful surroundings.
As darkness settles, the tour transforms. Each kayak is outfitted with special underwater lights that reveal the lake’s hidden aquatic residents. Prawns, fish, jellyfish, and occasional stingrays appear beneath the surface, illuminated against the quiet depths. The chorus of evening frogs, rustling birds, and calm waters create a meditative experience rarely found elsewhere.
With a maximum group size of 12 and expert guides leading the way, this intimate adventure balances thrill with comfort, suitable for families with children as young as three. The timing varies seasonally to coordinate with the setting sun, making each outing perfectly timed for optimal lighting and wildlife activity.
Importantly, $1 from every booking supports the South Coast Wildlife Rescue, helping preserve the local ecosystem for future generations. The tour’s emphasis on conservation ensures this slice of the Sapphire Coast remains a sanctuary for its unique wildlife.
Wallagoot’s night kayaking offers an exceptional way to connect deeply with nature away from crowded beaches and parks. Whether you're a seasoned paddler or new to kayaking, this tour reveals the lake’s nocturnal charm and ecological richness, making it a standout experience on Australia’s southeast coastline.
Route Schematic
Route Snapshot
A short, well-paced loop that moves from shore to wetlands, a beach supper stop, then a star-lit return while searching the shallows with underwater lights.
Wallagoot Lake Sailing Club — Launch & Briefing
Meet at the sailing club to prepare kayaks, get fitted with lights and safety gear, and receive a briefing before launching.
Wetlands Glide Toward the Lake Mouth
Paddle through a wetland corridor alive with pelicans, black swans, cormorants and sea eagles while scanning the dunes for kangaroos at dusk.
Shore Supper on the Dunes
Come ashore at sunset for a platter of local Tilba cheese, crackers and seasonal fruit, accompanied by hot drinks and orange juice.
Starlit Return with Underwater Lights
After dark, paddle back as kayak-mounted lights and special underwater lamps reveal fish, prawns, jellyfish and stingrays in the shallow water.
The operator times departures to match local sunset and may adjust the route for conditions; participants should wear closed-toe shoes and follow guide instructions for a safe night paddle.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
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.
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.
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.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour runs for approximately three hours.
The trip begins at the Wallagoot Lake Sailing Club; it’s a short drive from Merimbula (about 20 minutes) and Tathra (about 15 minutes).
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.
The operator can loan some closed-toe shoes and rain gear and provides dry bags for spare clothes.
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.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-10T12:14:06.998Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.