Stories of change - Navigate Expeditions
Navigate Expedition's success is a testament to the importance of local collaboration, making the most of the support and opportunities that are available to you, and living and breathing your ethos.
Ecotourism business Navigate Expeditions provides sustainable, environmentally conscious adventures that showcase the natural beauty of the Sapphire Coast. The business combines ecotourism, outdoor education, and environmental science – offering kayaking, mountain biking, and walking tours near Eden, Merimbula, Tathra, and Bermagui.
Running unique experiences that immerse travellers in the ecology and culture of the local environment, Navigate Expeditions has a focus on respect, conservation, and regeneration. They aim to leave travellers with confidence they’ve left the environment a better place than when they arrived.
“Everyone that comes to visit just ends up falling in love with the environment and the nature.”
Navigate Expeditions found collaborating with other like-minded businesses in the Bega Valley Shire to be a game changer. Showcasing local stories, produce and ecosystems – through experiences such as kayaking and oyster shucking tours with Broadwater Oysters – Navigate Expeditions has worked to drive their ethos beyond the banks of their own business.
“Collaborating with other like-minded businesses in the Bega Valley has been absolutely instrumental in our tours and our operations”
Navigate Expeditions’ partnership with Twofold Aboriginal Corporation is driving change in the local community. The Aboriginal Cultural Tour is an immersive kayak experience, framed by the knowledge and stories of an Aboriginal guide, highlighting the cultural significance of the Pambula River.
The tour teaches travellers the story and importance of the land’s Aboriginal heritage and aims to bridge the connection between the local environment and the rich Aboriginal culture in the region. The collaboration also supports the Aboriginal Corporation, with a portion of the proceeds from each booking going directly to the organisation.
“I hope that by taking people on these experiences and educating them that they care for the environment a little bit better.”
Navigate Expeditions launched in 2021, a challenging time for the ecotourism industry. The local community was working to heal from the Black Summer bushfires while contending with rolling lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Navigate Expeditions found they could flourish despite the challenging circumstances by utilising the support and opportunities available. Various workshops, networking events, webinars, and mentoring opportunities were available through Business Connect, the South Coast Centre of Excellence and Sapphire Coast Destination Marketing, which supported the team in growing their business and taking advantage of opportunities that arose.
“We've just jumped on all of the different events and networking opportunities, webinars and mentoring that have been available to us.”
Navigate Expedition’s success is a testament to the importance of local collaboration, making the most of the support and opportunities that are available to you, and living and breathing your ethos.
To learn more about Navigate Expeditions, visit their website.
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