The Adventure Tour is a premier offshore boating experience showcasing the magnificent Hunter coastline. Experience the breathtaking coastal scenery of Newcastle, with pods of resident dolphins, seabirds, and other marine life. Enjoy the thrill as you cruise 30 kilometres down the Hunter Coast in comfort and safety aboard CoastXP’s custom-built vessel ‘Atmos’ to stunning Caves Beach and historic Catherine Hill Bay. Along the way, you will have a unique view of Newcastle Harbour, historic World War II coastal forts, world-renowned surfing beaches and rugged cliffs.

The tour visits Newcastle and Lake Macquarie’s most impressive sights including the ANZAC Memorial Walk, the Bogey Hole, Glenrock Lagoon, Redhead Shark Watchtower and hidden gems Moon Island, Pinney’s Headland and Shark Bay. Marvel at the amazing sea caves at Caves Beach, with CoastXP the only adventure boat to visit these caves up close.

You will be captivated by the marine life and beautiful landscape of the Hunter Coast, including fascinating coal seams, volcanic rocks, and sedimentary cliffs. Our team are trained in sharing the language and importance of the various Aboriginal sites we visit, and their significance to the local Awabakal people.

Highlights include:

• Unobstructed 360° views
• Safe and comfortable eco-tourism vessel
• Local knowledge of the coastline
• Up close experience with sea caves
• Premium weatherproof jackets provided
• Accredited quality and sustainable tourism business

The thrilling Ocean Explorer Tour is a fast-paced, fun-filled adventure along the stunning Lake Macquarie coastline. Departing from Chalmers Street Jetty, on the oceanside of Swansea Bridge, cruise through the pristine waters of Swansea channel before zooming along the Lake Mac coast, past Moon Island Nature Reserve, discovering hidden sea caves and visiting Catherine Hill Bay. Share in the natural history of the area with an experienced wildlife guide making this tour fast, fun and informative. This tour is the perfect adventure for anyone seeking an unforgettable offshore boating experience.

Highlights include:

• Water-level views (close to the action)

• Professional guides, knowledgeable on wildlife and the local environment

• Safe and comfortable eco-tourism vessel

• Premium weatherproof jackets provided

• Comfortable, slim-profile life jackets provided

• Accredited quality and sustainable tourism business

Step aboard CoastXP’s custom-built adventure boat for an all-inclusive lake cruise and guided nature walk overlooking the largest permanent saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere. The experience involves an adventure boat tour of Lake Mac, a 2km guided bushwalking tour and a catered lunch.

Begin at Belmont Foreshore before you pass the idyllic bays, beaches and islands of Lake Mac on CoastXP’s adventure boat before alighting at Wangi Peninsula for a guided bushwalk through the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area. Following the walk, relax on the shores of Lake Macquarie at Dobell Park to enjoy a premium individual grazing box with a view of Pulbah Island Nature Reserve before returning to Pelican Foreshore by boat.

Highlights:

• Unobstructed 360° views
• Guided ecotourism experience
• Safe and comfortable eco-tourism vessel
• Licensed National Parks Eco Pass operator
• Accredited quality and sustainable tourism business
• Commentary surrounding local Aboriginal heritage and Maritime history

The Encounter Tour is a premier whale watching experience aboard our custom-built adventure boat. The tour focuses closely on the annual Humpback Whale (Megaptera Novaeangliae) migration along the east coast. In addition to watching the whales up close, the experience travels along the stunning Newcastle coastline with the added chance of encountering dolphins and long-nosed fur seals.

Humpback whale numbers have been increasing at a rate of over 10% each year, with more than 35,000 individuals passing our coast each and every year. Adult humpback whales can grow between 14 – 18 metres long and can weigh up to 50 tonnes, while humpback calves are born at approximately 2 tonnes – now that’s a big baby!

The reason we love humpback whales so much is that they are one of the most inquisitive and interactive species out of all marine mammals. In particular, watching whales in Newcastle is spectacular as we get to witness part of their exceptionally long journey from the Antarctic to the warm safe waters south of the equator in order to have their calves.

Highlights include:

• Unobstructed 360° views
• Premier Newcastle whale watching cruise
• Local knowledge of the coastline
• Safe and comfortable eco-tourism vessel
• Premium weatherproof jackets provided
• Accredited quality and sustainable tourism business

The Whale Discovery Tour is a unique opportunity to observe whales migrating along the stunning Lake Macquarie coastline. Departing from Chalmers Street Jetty, on the oceanside of Swansea Bridge, cruise through the pristine waters of Swansea Channel, before exploring the Lake Mac coastline in search of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Keep an eye out for long-nosed fur seals and common dolphins, too! Our custom-built boat offers protection from the elements while providing a wide view of wildlife at water level.

• Water-level views (close to the action)
• Premium whale watching experience
  
• Professional wildlife guides
• Safe and comfortable eco-tourism vessel
• Premium weatherproof jackets provided
• Comfortable, slim-profile lifejackets provided
• Accredited quality and sustainable tourism business

CoastXP and Daily Salt proudly bring you a unique opportunity to join our ‘Sunrise Whale Photography Experience’. The Hunter Coast as a destination is renowned for its amazing coastline, beaches, cafes, restaurants and creative culture. Amateur and professional photographers alike love photographing the spectacular coastline of Newcastle, local surfers as well as the harbour itself.

Professional ocean photographer and Newcastle local Scott Harrison, is known for his wave and nature-based images. Scott’s lifestyle surrounds his love for the ocean, much of our happiness he believes comes directly from time spent in or near the ocean. Scott’s ocean and whale images have been viewed by millions of people landing him photography awards and having his work shared all around the world.

The Sunrise Whale Photography Experience has been specifically designed for both amateur and professional photographers.

• Already know the difference between your DOF and your ISO? No problem, enjoy being aboard CoastXP’s custom-built boat, with limited passengers at the absolute best time of day to be taking photos.
• Want to take your photography to the next level? Scott will be aboard to personally cover all the basics you need to understand and progress with your DSLR Photography. Scott will cover all the elements of aperture and shutter speed so you can take control of photographing any subject, as well as the essential rules of photo composition that will transform your images from simple snapshots to photographs that you will be proud to display.

This experience is much more than just whale watching, although that’s included too. While aboard, we will take into account the key destination landmarks that make Newcastle such a unique destination. Our experience begins in Newcastle harbour with a briefing including the types of scenes we expect to capture throughout the morning. Scott will provide professional tips and tricks in order to get the best images on the day, regardless of your photography ability. We limit our photography experience to 12 passengers, as this provides you with a more intimate experience, and gives you time directly to chat to Scott about your personal photography goals.

CoastXP’s vessel ‘Atmos’ is a custom-built rigid inflatable.  Atmos provides the perfect platform to get the best shot. With unobstructed 360° views, there is nothing between you and the whales. CoastXP will provide jackets on board so that you stay warm during your experience. The morning starts early at 6:15 am, this is how we share with you our dose of Daily Salt!

Depart:

• 6:15 am

Duration:

• 2.5 Hours

Price:

• $170 Per Person

Note:

• Passengers must bring their own camera equipment (This experience will be most beneficial if you own a DSLR Camera).

Tours Depart from Harbour Square Boat Dock, along the Honeysuckle Foreshore.