26 BERMAGUI - SAPPHIRE COAST - SPRING 2024 Sapphire Coastal Adventures runs regular whale-watching tours departing from Bermagui Wharf during spring's southern humpback whale migration. Co-owner of Sapphire Coastal Adventures, Jess Millar, said the waters off Bermagui are excellent for whale watching. "It is only a very short five-minute cruise out of the scenic Bermagui Harbour, and from this point whales can be found," Jess said. "The continental shelf is located only 20-kilometres away from Bermagui Harbour, making the waters around Bermagui a hotspot for marine activity. "Depending on where the best whale action is, we may travel north towards the spectacular Murunna Point headland and Wallaga Lake, or head south past the colourful cliffs towards Baragoot Beach." Jess said the Bermagui tours are run aboard the 14-metre 'Sensational II', which takes up to 40 people on each whale-watching trip. "This fast and comfortable vessel provides passengers with waterline viewing, and she features three, powerful 425-horsepower Yamaha engines, so it's lots of fun, and you will get out among the whales very quickly!" she said. When you purchase your whale-watching tickets directly from Sapphire Coastal Adventures, you'll be eligible for the company's 'whale-sighting guarantee', which promises that if whales are not sighted on your tour, you will be offered a free whale-watching cruise during the current or following season. Find out more Sapphire Coastal Adventures' Bermagui whale-watching tours depart from Bermagui Wharf, 73-79 Lamont Street, Bermagui. It also operates regular whale-watching tours from Eden and Merimbula, so if there is no Bermagui tour available on the day of your preference, it's worth checking the operator's other locations. To book or find out more call (02) 6495 1686 or go to sapphirecoastaladventures.com.au A humpback whale breaching off Bermagui. Photo: Sapphire Coastal Adventures Regular whale-watching tours now departing from Bermagui Wharf Located seven kilometres north of Bermagui along Wallaga Lake Road – beneath Gulaga Mountain – is the largest lake in southern New South Wales: Wallaga Lake. A popular place for swimming, fishing, boating, paddling, sailing and bushwalking – as well as birdwatching and wildlife photography – Wallaga Lake is a place that abounds with natural beauty. Towering, smooth-trunked eucalypts, sandy lake shores, and a network of bush trails, make it a wonderful destination for nature lovers. There are numerous places to stay by the lake, including three caravan parks with camping sites, cabins and boat hire. You'll also find picnic and toilet facilities at various locations around the lake. If you like watching (or photographing) the sunset, head to Beauty Point or Wallaga Lake Heights, both of which offer fabulous opportunities for dusk photography, looking west towards the Great Dividing Range. Indigenous heritage Wallaga Lake is the home of Umbarra, the black duck, the totem of the local indigenous Yuin-Monaro people. Merriman's Island, within the lake, is gazetted as an Aboriginal Place in recognition of its significance to the local Aboriginal people, and is not accessible to the public. Aboriginal middens and artefacts, such as cutting stones, have been found in the lake area, and visitors are asked to help conserve these relics by not disturbing them in any way. Natural beauty abounds at Bermagui’s Wallaga Lake Sun rising over Wallaga Lake, Bermagui. Photo: Destination NSW Wallaga Lake is protected by rugged coastline. Photo: Destination NSW Checking out the smooth trunk of a towering eucalypt at Wallaga Lake. Photo: Destination NSW
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