FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What methods of payment do you accept?
A. Full payment must be made at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled tour date. We accept direct deposit bank transfers only. There is no EFTPOS facility available on-site or cash payments taken on the day.
Q. Do you hire out your fleet of kayaks to the public to use at their own leisure on the river?
A. We offer fully guided tours to our guests only. Unfortunately we do not hire our kayaks out to the public. If you would like to hire kayaks or canoes to use at your own leisure on the river, please contact our supplier Australis Canoes & Kayaks - Ph: 42 85 2000.
See hire details here: www.canoes.com.au/index.php?dispatch=pages.view&page_id=5
Q. Where do the tours leave from?
A. All tours depart from our launching area on the Minnamurra River which is located inside the Killalea State Park. Entry to the park is via Killalea Drive. It is approximately a 5 minute drive off the Princes Hwy. We will meet on the opposite side of the road to the kiosk (on the grassed area), and we will then take you down to the river in our vehicles. Look for the silver kayak trailer parked off the right side of the road, located directly opposite the kiosk.
Q. What time should I arrive for my tour?
A. Please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour, which is noted in your booking confirmation email. If it is a group tour and if you’re running late, the rest of the group is left waiting. If you have not arrived by the scheduled booking/tour time, we will depart without you.
Q. What should I bring on the tour?
A. A hat, sunglasses, suitable clothing, a camera and if required, any personal medication. The less the better, just yourself and some shoes that are able to get wet and are suitable for a short beach walk. Leave your towel, change of clothes and valuables in your vehicle until after your tour. Your items can be carried inside our kayaks sealed hatches either in a small bag or backpack.
A friendly smile and a sense of adventure is a must!
Q. What should I wear?
A. Clothes that will get wet. On the bottom, wear board shorts or tights that dry quickly. Up top, wear layers underneath and a spray jacket as the outer layer. Wear shoes that you can beach walk in. Dress to the weather conditions. Bring a towel and spare pair clothes to get changed into afterwards. Don’t wear jeans or denim shorts. Strictly no barefeet are allowed.
Q. Do I need to have any kayaking experience?
A. No, not at all. We use stable and highly durable sea kayaks and sit-on-top kayaks. It’s really easy to pick up and learn. Our guides will give you a lesson on how to paddle prior to your tour, with tips and paddling advice provided throughout your tour.
Q. Do I need to be able to swim?
A. No, we provide Personal Floatation Devices - PFD's. Even if you tip out which is highly unlikely, you will float safely until a guide provides assistance.
Q. Is there a maximum height and weight restriction for the kayaks?
A. Our single kayaks are limited to 110 kgs maximum and are suitable for people up to 6' tall - 1 person. Our double kayaks are limited to 230 kgs maximum for 2 people. If you are over 6' tall or of a larger/solid build, we suggest pairing up with a friend or family member and using our double sit-on-top kayaks.
Q. What happens if there is bad weather?
A. Escape Kayak Tours keeps a close eye on updated weather forecasts. Kayaking is fine in the rain, the main factor is strong wind. If the wind is too strong and EKT has to cancel, you will receive a 100% refund or the option of a tour credit to the same value which is valid for 12 months.
Q. Is kayaking OK for young children or teenagers?
A. Yes, we provide smaller PFD's (Personal Floatation Devices) to fit most teenagers. Our tours are not suitable for younger children under 14 years old. Children must be 14 years old and above. Persons between 14-18 years old must be accompanied by an adult or family member.
Q. Is there parking and toilet facilities nearby?
A. Yes there is free parking available inside the Killalea State Park. You can safely park behind the campground office which is located just before the campground boom gates. Public toilets are located at the kiosk area, 400m from the park's entrance on the left side of the road.
Q. How many people per group?
A. Escape Kayak Tours can accommodate couples, families or small groups of up to 8 people. We offer single seated sea kayaks and double sit-on-top kayaks for all our guests. Groups of 8 people will use 4 double sit-on-top kayaks.
Q. Can bookings be tailored to suit couples, families or groups?
A. Yes, we can accommodate all of your kayaking adventure needs, whether you would like to book a customised or extended tour, request a highly delicious gourmet catered lunch or have any other special requests. Call us on 0412 377 761 to discuss any requests which you may have.
Q. Do you supply food and drinks?
A. Yes! We supply 600ml bottles of water to all of our guests on every tour. Light snacks and refreshments are also provided on our Sunrise, Minnamurra Spit and Half Day Adventure Tours - excluding the shorter Mangroves Tour. We now also offer our guests the option to choose from an amazing selection of gourmet platters, using healthy and delicious locally grown South Coast produce. Please note: Gourmet platters will incur an additional cost of $20 per person. If you would like to arrange a gourmet platter for yourself or your group, simply let us know when booking your tour.
Q. Do you offer vouchers or gift certificates?
A. Yes we offer Gift Vouchers for all of our tours. Call us on 0412 377 761 and we will gladly design one and email to you which you can then print off. We also have hard copy gift vouchers which would make an excellent present for that special loved one!
Q. Do you offer refunds?
A. Yes we do. If EKT has to unfortunately cancel your tour due to unsafe weather conditions, you will receive a 100% refund or the option of a tour credit to the same value which is valid for 12 months. Please see our terms and conditions on the bottom of your booking confirmation.
Q. Do you run sunrise tours?
A. Yes, we have introduced exclusive sunrise tours for our guests. These tours begin from our launching area at 6.30am in the morning.
Q. Is there public transport nearby?
A. Yes, Shellharbour Junction train station is approximately 4km from our launching area. If you would like to arrange transport from the train station please let us know.
Q. Do you accommodate people with a disability?
A. We try our very best to accommodate and encourage people with disabilities to participate in all of our tours. Please contact us on 0412 377 761 to discuss your required needs.
Q. What methods of payment do you accept?
A. Full payment must be made at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled tour date. We accept direct deposit bank transfers only. There is no EFTPOS facility available on-site or cash payments taken on the day.
Q. Do you hire out your fleet of kayaks to the public to use at their own leisure on the river?
A. We offer fully guided tours to our guests only. Unfortunately we do not hire our kayaks out to the public. If you would like to hire kayaks or canoes to use at your own leisure on the river, please contact our supplier Australis Canoes & Kayaks - Ph: 42 85 2000.
See hire details here: www.canoes.com.au/index.php?dispatch=pages.view&page_id=5
Q. Where do the tours leave from?
A. All tours depart from our launching area on the Minnamurra River which is located inside the Killalea State Park. Entry to the park is via Killalea Drive. It is approximately a 5 minute drive off the Princes Hwy. We will meet on the opposite side of the road to the kiosk (on the grassed area), and we will then take you down to the river in our vehicles. Look for the silver kayak trailer parked off the right side of the road, located directly opposite the kiosk.
Q. What time should I arrive for my tour?
A. Please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour, which is noted in your booking confirmation email. If it is a group tour and if you’re running late, the rest of the group is left waiting. If you have not arrived by the scheduled booking/tour time, we will depart without you.
Q. What should I bring on the tour?
A. A hat, sunglasses, suitable clothing, a camera and if required, any personal medication. The less the better, just yourself and some shoes that are able to get wet and are suitable for a short beach walk. Leave your towel, change of clothes and valuables in your vehicle until after your tour. Your items can be carried inside our kayaks sealed hatches either in a small bag or backpack.
A friendly smile and a sense of adventure is a must!
Q. What should I wear?
A. Clothes that will get wet. On the bottom, wear board shorts or tights that dry quickly. Up top, wear layers underneath and a spray jacket as the outer layer. Wear shoes that you can beach walk in. Dress to the weather conditions. Bring a towel and spare pair clothes to get changed into afterwards. Don’t wear jeans or denim shorts. Strictly no barefeet are allowed.
Q. Do I need to have any kayaking experience?
A. No, not at all. We use stable and highly durable sea kayaks and sit-on-top kayaks. It’s really easy to pick up and learn. Our guides will give you a lesson on how to paddle prior to your tour, with tips and paddling advice provided throughout your tour.
Q. Do I need to be able to swim?
A. No, we provide Personal Floatation Devices - PFD's. Even if you tip out which is highly unlikely, you will float safely until a guide provides assistance.
Q. Is there a maximum height and weight restriction for the kayaks?
A. Our single kayaks are limited to 110 kgs maximum and are suitable for people up to 6' tall - 1 person. Our double kayaks are limited to 230 kgs maximum for 2 people. If you are over 6' tall or of a larger/solid build, we suggest pairing up with a friend or family member and using our double sit-on-top kayaks.
Q. What happens if there is bad weather?
A. Escape Kayak Tours keeps a close eye on updated weather forecasts. Kayaking is fine in the rain, the main factor is strong wind. If the wind is too strong and EKT has to cancel, you will receive a 100% refund or the option of a tour credit to the same value which is valid for 12 months.
Q. Is kayaking OK for young children or teenagers?
A. Yes, we provide smaller PFD's (Personal Floatation Devices) to fit most teenagers. Our tours are not suitable for younger children under 14 years old. Children must be 14 years old and above. Persons between 14-18 years old must be accompanied by an adult or family member.
Q. Is there parking and toilet facilities nearby?
A. Yes there is free parking available inside the Killalea State Park. You can safely park behind the campground office which is located just before the campground boom gates. Public toilets are located at the kiosk area, 400m from the park's entrance on the left side of the road.
Q. How many people per group?
A. Escape Kayak Tours can accommodate couples, families or small groups of up to 8 people. We offer single seated sea kayaks and double sit-on-top kayaks for all our guests. Groups of 8 people will use 4 double sit-on-top kayaks.
Q. Can bookings be tailored to suit couples, families or groups?
A. Yes, we can accommodate all of your kayaking adventure needs, whether you would like to book a customised or extended tour, request a highly delicious gourmet catered lunch or have any other special requests. Call us on 0412 377 761 to discuss any requests which you may have.
Q. Do you supply food and drinks?
A. Yes! We supply 600ml bottles of water to all of our guests on every tour. Light snacks and refreshments are also provided on our Sunrise, Minnamurra Spit and Half Day Adventure Tours - excluding the shorter Mangroves Tour. We now also offer our guests the option to choose from an amazing selection of gourmet platters, using healthy and delicious locally grown South Coast produce. Please note: Gourmet platters will incur an additional cost of $20 per person. If you would like to arrange a gourmet platter for yourself or your group, simply let us know when booking your tour.
Q. Do you offer vouchers or gift certificates?
A. Yes we offer Gift Vouchers for all of our tours. Call us on 0412 377 761 and we will gladly design one and email to you which you can then print off. We also have hard copy gift vouchers which would make an excellent present for that special loved one!
Q. Do you offer refunds?
A. Yes we do. If EKT has to unfortunately cancel your tour due to unsafe weather conditions, you will receive a 100% refund or the option of a tour credit to the same value which is valid for 12 months. Please see our terms and conditions on the bottom of your booking confirmation.
Q. Do you run sunrise tours?
A. Yes, we have introduced exclusive sunrise tours for our guests. These tours begin from our launching area at 6.30am in the morning.
Q. Is there public transport nearby?
A. Yes, Shellharbour Junction train station is approximately 4km from our launching area. If you would like to arrange transport from the train station please let us know.
Q. Do you accommodate people with a disability?
A. We try our very best to accommodate and encourage people with disabilities to participate in all of our tours. Please contact us on 0412 377 761 to discuss your required needs.
