Australian Geographic recently toured the Far South Coast to scope out the region for inclusion in its ever-increasing portfolio of recommended expedition locations.
Located halfway between Sydney and Melbourne and just a three-hour drive from Canberra, the Sapphire Coast is quickly emerging as a favourite nature-inspired travel experience for those keen to get away from the usual tourist traps.
The Australian Geographic media familiarisation was planned by Karen Dempster, tourism business advisor for Business Connect, facilitated by Navigate Expeditions, and hosted by Tanja Lagoon Camp.
The "famil" was supported by in kind sponsorship from Destination NSW, NSW National Parks and many South Coast businesses.
The team from Australian Geographic was offered an immersive nature-based experience thanks to Navigate Expeditions' "Forest Meets the Sea" hike through Mimosa Rocks National Park, with a gourmet picnic brunch from Blend Providore.
Guests also participated in a Welcome to Country ceremony, bush tucker walk and basket weaving workshop to highlight the connection to Indigenous culture, while the Davidson Whaling Station and Green Cape Lighthouse tour and an overnight stay at the lighthouse was a highlight for history buffs on the tour.
There was also an oyster shucking class with Broadwater Oysters and a relaxed kayak with Kiah Wilderness Tours.
The tour was based at the recently upgraded Tanja Lagoon Camp, one of the premier eco-tourism destinations on the Sapphire Coast.
Owner of Tanja Lagoon Camp Loz Hunt said the Australian Geographic tour was one of the first to see TLC's two new eco-cabins and meeting place workshop spaces.
"We focus on providing guests with a unique experience connecting them with the environment, community and culture of the area," said Ms Hunt.
"Our vision for the two new cabins and shared spaces was to spark conversations, natural interactions and collaboration among guests they might not get elsewhere.
"We want guests to reconnect with each other and enjoy the nature-based experiences TLC has to offer."
Jess Taunton from Navigate Expeditions, a tourism veteran who has previously guided guests on every continent in the world (including Antarctica!) before settling down on the Sapphire Coast, said the coast's nature-based experience offerings were truly unique.
"We're expecting more and more people to seek out sustainable travel experiences in the post COVID-19 world, and collaborating with Tanja Lagoon Camp and Australian Geographic couldn't come at a better time," Ms Taunton said.
"We endeavour to educate, inform, and make a valuable contribution to citizen science through all the tours that we run.
"We are already looking forward to welcoming Australian Geographic and other environmentally conscious small group touring guests in 2022."
For more information on tour offerings and bookings, visit www.tanjalagooncamp.com.au and www.navigateexpeditions.com.
