Overview

 Highlights


  • Trek remote and awe inspiring coastlines
  • Enjoy peaceful bush walks
  • Wildlife encounters
  • Marvel at spectacular cliff-top views
  • Spot migratory whales, white-bellied sea eagles, Australian fur seals and bottlenose dolphins
  • Walk with just a day pack on this fully supported trek
  • Learn about local Aboriginal culture and geology

On this fully supported trek you'll walk with just a day pack as you experience one of Australia’s most spectacular walks. You'll discover an abundance of wildlife, sculpted rock landscapes, pristine beaches, turquoise blue waters and dramatic coastlines as you walk the stunning newly developed Wild South Coast Way on South Australia's Heysen Trail. This 74km trail, with some additional return side trips starts from Cape Jervis where you’ll follow the trail into Deep Creek National Park and Newland Head Conservation Park before finishing at Encounter Bay. The walking experience offers some of South Australia's most spectacular and awe inspiring coastal walking imaginable. The Wild South Coast Way provides trekkers with a genuine sense of wilderness, featuring remote beaches, native bushland, rugged cliffs, First Nations’ history, breathtaking vistas, deep gullies and a rich diversity of native birds, bush and wildlife. Each day of the walk delivers a new experience and challenge. We hope you can join us on one of Australia’s best new walking trails.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Adelaide

Activities:

Grading:Introductory to Moderate   


Our journey begins with a Adelaide accommodation pick-up between 7-7:30am before we start travelling south through the picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula. Our journey starts at Cape Jervis a small township near the western tip of the stunning Fleurieu Peninsula and most well known as the gateway to Kangaroo Island. Our walk today follows sandy coastal tracks and exposed coastal hillsides, providing spectacular views over Backstairs Passage and over to Kangaroo Island, if we're lucky enough we might even spot a passing whale on the migratory journey. We take time to enjoy the tranquil waters at Fisheries Beach and Blowhole Beach. Keep an eye out for the Futuro House - shaped like a UFO, the house has become quite the sight to see for travelling trekkers. Towards the end of the day the trail enters Deep Creek National Park before a short climb through native bushland to Cobbler Hill and our campsite for the night. We enjoy our first night together as a group sharing a delicious meal prepared by our guides under the southern stars. | Hike -14km | Walking Time: 4-6 hours | Overnight - Cobbler Hill Campground |

Meals:  L,D

After an appetizing breakfast prepared by our guides we walk out of camp to enjoy another day on this great wilderness escape. Prepare to be amazed by some of the most beautiful coastlines in Australia while exploring the spectacular valleys of Deep Creek and spotting wildlife in their native habitats such as joeys emerging from kangaroo pouches and short-beaked echidnas scurrying for food. We will journey through dense sheoak forests with rugged terrain and enjoy a peaceful pit stop at Deep Creek Waterfall. Today we take an extra side trip to visit Deep Creek Cove where have a steep descent that provides sweeping views across rugged coastline and dense vegetation. We will be able to enjoy spectacular views of Deep Creek in this secluded cove before making our way back towards Tapanappa lookout and our nearby campsite for the night. We enjoy another restful night underneath the stars. | Hike -16.5km | Walking Time: 5-7 hours | Overnight - Tapanappa Campground |

Meals:  B,L,D

This picturesque section highlights the diversity of the Wild South Coast Way and Heysen Trail. Our walk continues through dense native bushland in Deep Creek Conservation Park before veering toward the coast providing unparalleled views of Tunkalilla Beach - be sure to keep an eye out for some playful seals! We then complete a steep descent to Boat Harbor Beach, from the lookout we might catch dolphins playing in the surf. Some more coastal walking leads to a challenging section along Tunkalilla Beach where we have the chance to cool off in the refreshing Southern Ocean before our steep climb up to Balquhidder Hill. We enjoy the final section of our walk through the rolling hills and farmland that the iconic Fleurieu Peninsula is known for. This afternoons campground is a short transfer away. | Hike - 17.5km | Walking Time: 6-8 hours | Overnight - Stringbark Campground |

Meals:  B,L,D

After a filling breakfast we head out on a stunning section of the Wild South Coast Way that is filled with picturesque farmland, unspoilt sandy beaches, rocky headlands and numerous chances to spot whales and dolphins enjoying the untouched shoreline. With a shorter walk today we have plentiful time to enjoy the powerful Southern Ocean up close at both Parsons Beach and Waitpinga Beach - a short walk from our campground for the night. We enjoy our final dinner together as a group and wonder at the genuine sense of wilderness we have been encompassed in over the past few days as we watch the final rays of sun disappear over the horizon. | Hike - 12km | Walking Time: 3-5 hours | Overnight - Waitpinga Campground |

Meals:  B,L,D

Todays walk includes numerous highlights including one of the most iconic landscapes in South Australia, the Waitpinga Cliffs rising up 100 metres from the sea. Keep an eye out for white-bellied sea-eagles, one of a just a few breeding pairs of sea-eagles on the mainland inhabit the cliffs here. Enjoy the constant peaceful sounds of the ocean crashing against shore and birds sweeping overhead. We conclude our walk at The Bluff, offering splendid views of Encounter Bay and the Southern Ocean. At the completion of the Wild South Coast Way trekkers often marvel at their journey over the last 5 days completing a dramatic hike along one of the most beautiful coastlines in Australia. Going off grid, seeing wildlife in the wild, meeting likeminded travellers, engaging all five senses, and having a sense of achievement creates long lasting memories of this fabulous adventure. Congratulations on all you have achieved over the last five days! Our journey concludes when we drop you back at your Adelaide accommodation by approximately 4-5pm. | Hike - 13.5km | Walking Time: 3-5 hours |

Meals:  B,L


Learning outcomes for students

A World Expeditions Schools adventure is a unique learning experience. Our journeys are designed to encourage thriving and positive youth development along with leaving the communities and environments where we travel in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to enhance the following life skills that will help you grow as an individual:
• the confidence to lead a group and make decisions
• the value of working together as a cohesive team to achieve a common objective
• the ability to face mental and physical challenges
• the ability to adapt to new environments outside of their 'comfort zone'
• to appreciate and care for the natural environment. The environments we trek through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers and also the local peoples
• basic outdoor skills obtained on trek such as personal hygiene, pitching a tent, helping to prepare meals
Importantly our adventures help increase general well-being and build resilience in young citizens to help them deal with adverse situations in life.


Inclusions

  • 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners
  • 4 nights camping including group camping equipment (twin share)
  • Professional wilderness guides
  • National Park and camping fees
  • Emergency communications and group first aid kit
  • Transport from Adelaide

  • Airfares
  • Items of a personal nature, such as laundry and postage
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance
  • Accommodation in Adelaide
  • Face masks and hand sanitiser

Accommodation


Grading

Introductory to Moderate

The Wild South Coast Way is an Introductory to Moderate graded walk. It involves walking with a light day pack through undulating country for up to 6-7 hours a day at a moderate to steady pace. Some sections are long, rough, rocky and very steep. To enjoy this tour you will need a reasonable level of fitness. Bushwalking experience is recommended. If you need to build up your level of fitness prior to the walk, we recommend starting with a 30 minute daily walk and building up to 7 hours. Be sure to trial walking with the pack you intend to take so that you feel fully prepared.


Why travel with us

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

Wild South Coast Way - Heysen Trail Testimonials


Want to find out more?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.


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