Go Ride A Wave Night Sky and Nature: Twilight Kayaking on the Great Ocean Road

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A quiet guided twilight kayak tour of the Anglesea River on the Great Ocean Road, spotting native wildlife and seeing the southern stars from the water.

Days

1.5 hours, at dusk

Age

Group size

Small group, max 14

Start / finish

Anglesea / Anglesea

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Double kayak with lights and a guide

Meals

Hot drink or soup and a snack

Route

Map of Go Ride A Wave Night Sky and Nature: Twilight Kayaking on the Great Ocean Road

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Included experiences

Anglesea River — guided twilight paddle
Riverbank wildlife — kangaroos, possums and owls by headlight
Southern Sky — stars pointed out by your guide
Lights-off float under the stars

Go Ride A Wave Night Sky and Nature: Twilight Kayaking on the Great Ocean Road

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

SUNSET: BRIEFING ON THE RIVERBANK

Meet your guide in Anglesea on the Great Ocean Road as the sun goes down. You change into a wetsuit and booties, collect a head torch, and get a short lesson on the riverbank before you push off in a double kayak fitted with its own lights. No kayaking experience is needed. The Anglesea River is a sheltered estuary with no real current, which makes it an easy place to paddle after dark. The town itself was called Swampy Creek until the 1880s, which tells you something about the wetlands you are about to paddle through.

DUSK: WILDLIFE ON THE RIVER BENDS

As the light fades, the river picks up the colours of the sky and a light mist often settles on the water. Switch on your head torch and watch the banks. Eastern grey kangaroos come down to graze at dusk, and Anglesea is known for them: a mob famously lives on the local golf course. Look up into the trees for brushtail possums, listen for owls, and you may hear a last kookaburra calling the day closed. Your guide sets an easy pace around the bends.

NIGHTFALL: STARS AND SOUP

In a quiet stretch of river the kayaks stop for a hot drink or soup and a snack. With the town's lights kept low, the southern sky comes out sharp, and your guide points out its features. Find the Southern Cross and its two pointer stars; the brighter one, Alpha Centauri, is the closest star system to the sun, about 4.4 light years away. On clear nights the Magellanic Clouds, two small galaxies, show as faint smudges. Then all the lights go off and you simply float, listening to the night.

PADDLING HOME BY STARLIGHT

The last stretch back is lit by your head torch and the stars reflected on the water. Back on the riverbank you peel off the wetsuit, about 90 minutes after you set out.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: 106 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea.
Minimum age: 14 years.
Fitness: Relaxed to moderate; no kayaking skills or experience required.

What to bring

Warm clothing for the weather: jumper, beanie and rain jacket
Swimwear and a towel, in case you get wet

What is included

Double kayak with lights, paddle and life vest
Head torch
Wetsuit and wetsuit booties
Guided tour and kayak instruction — no experience needed
Hot drink or soup and a snack

Not included

Photography

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

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Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

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Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

My daughter and I really enjoyed the night kayaking. The instructors were friendly and knowledgeable.

Kate Stanley Verified· Travelled 1st May 2026

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