South Coast Weekend Break (SCWB)

3 days, 2 nights

Pick up from Sydney and return

September-November

Take an all-inclusive weekend break to the stunning beaches, coves, cliffs and forests of Jervis Bay – the ‘bay of plenty’. Explore national parks and marine reserves, encounter whales and dolphins on a private cruise, stay in an historic seaside property, learn about local history and indigenous culture. These fully-guided tours give you the chance to get close to nature, relax and unwind in one of the South Coast’s “hidden jewels”.

These getaways have been timed to take advantage of the annual southern whale migration to maximise your chances of meeting these magnificent creatures.

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart Sydney in the morning and travel through the Royal National Park – second oldest national park in the world. Enjoy panoramic coastal views from Bald Hill at Stanwell Park – where Lawrence Hargraves conducted early experiments with flying machines. Drive along the amazing Sea Cliff Bridge before climbing Bulli Pass to Jumbulla Aboriginal Discovery Centre for an insight into Dharawal culture and traditions. Continue south, stopping for lunch in Kiama, to Huskisson on the shores of Jervis Bay. Visit the Lady Denman Maritime Museum, with displays on shipbuilding, navigation, nature and history of the region – including accounts of some of the crazier development proposals which this beautiful place has managed to avoid. Then take a look at the ruins of Cape St George Lighthouse on the rugged eastern headland of the Bay.  Your accommodation for the next two nights is exclusive occupation by your tour group of historic Kullindi Homestead Guesthouse on the tranquil shores of Sussex Inlet.

Day 2

Today’s highlight is a four-hour private cruise on the luxurious catamaran Discover and a comprehensive exploration of Jervis Bay. You’ll experience encounters with marine wildlife including whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and seabirds. Then visit Booderee Botanic Gardens – the only Aboriginal-owned botanic gardens in Australia. You have time to contemplate the beauty of the gardens including rainforests, Koori gardens, wildflowers and birdlife before a picnic lunch. The afternoon is spent at magical Murrays Beach in Booderee National Park, a quiet stretch of some of the world’s whitest sand and clear blue waters.

Day 3

Your final day begins with a short walk to Bherwerre Beach and a look over the wide expanse of Wreck Bay before travelling to Coolangatta Estate near Shoalhaven Heads – an historic property which is now home to a boutique winery and restaurant where you enjoy a cellar door tour and a local tasting-plate lunch. Your return route to Sydney climbs through the Kangaroo Valley to Fitzroy Falls and the spectacular Illawarra Fly – a treetop walk through the rainforest canopy to a stunning lookout over the Illawarra coastline.

What You Get

Pick up in central Sydney and return, two nights accommodation, all meals, morning and afternoon teas, entry and admission fees, local tours and cruises, individual trip kit including personal comfort pack, use of a netbook computer for the duration of the tour.