MacAlistair Paddle 7th & 8th November: Camping at Paradise Valley we undertook 3 half day paddles on McAlister River and associated waterways - 2 on the Glenmaggie Creek and one on the lower reaches of the McAlister abjoining Lake Glenmaggie
Friday 6th November – Having checked and rechecked Meteye for the weather at Glenmaggie. I was very disappointed to wake to Friday morning rain and wind – this was not predicted. Misting rain causing windscreen wipers to work overtime, loading vehicles in the rain and we are going kayaking and camping out. We must be mad.
As we cleared the rain sodden hills of South Gippsland, travelling into the Latrobe Valley and the McAlistair Irrigation area the weather cleared to a perfect sunny day, a different world. Travelling the back way via Glengarry onto Cowwaar-Seaton Road, then Heyfield Seaton Road, Seymours Lane and finally on to the Licola Road. It took approximately 1.5 hours from Mirboo North.
We stayed at Paradise Valley, a 135ha sheep/beef/camping property. The property was first settled in 1884 by John Gell the son of a tailor , who moved to the area from Geelong. Travelling by steamship to Port Albert he continued on to the Lake Glenmaggie area by bullock wagon and took up the land now known as Paradise Valley. The family continued to farm this land until around 2014. The Camping Ground being established in 1974.
Paradise Valley offers adlib camping (no set sites) along a 1km river frontage to the Macalister River. Setting up the Cub Camper on her inaugural voyage would have been entertaining for a bystander. Having ummed and aahed, changed my mind at least 6 times, a campsite was finally set, on a ridge with pristine river views, grassy areas for tents and a fire pit centrally located.
Friday afternoon was spent setting up and settling in, dinner around the campfire – thank you Ros/Graham/Kate for bringing wood and Pat for her fire-starting skills. Due to recent rains and increased streamflow it was decided against paddling upstream of the campsite and to travel down to Lake Glenmaggie to explore.
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Saturday we woke to a cold morning but the promise of a sunny spring day. Having loaded up we set off heading to the backwaters of Lake Glenmaggie. We pulled off the Glenmaggie Licola Road onto an access track to the lake, which provided ample parking and easy access to water – not another water craft in sight. Heading off across the waterway, seeking shelter from wind by paddling in the lea of the cliff, admiring the chaos of light, shadow, and rock caused by earths upheaval. The rocky cliff gave way to eucalypts and scrubby undergrowth before opening up to pasture. Mature gums dotted the shoreline, one containing a massive collection of sticks. Peering up, examining the structure, paddlers were delighted with a rare glimpse of a Wedgetail Fledgling, on the edge of the nest, ? waiting for morning tea.
Exploring this area of the backwater we came across a flock of Pelicans, Pat was challenged with water depth and reeds and had to retreat a couple of times before finding clear passage, finally finding the main channel which we followed. This took us through an area of farmland, before passing under the bridge over the Glenmaggie Creek its under surface lined with mud nests of ? swallows. Once through the bridge we paddled into a whole new world of tranquility, of mirror perfect reflections, a rocky bottomed creek lined with areas of introduced species and native flora and fauna, a sacred kingfisher, wrens, water birds, insect catchers abounded. The waft of honey suckle, hum of bees industriously collect eucalypt pollen, tinkling water as it rushed over rocks. Much to our disappointment we reached the point of “none shall pass” – a rocky pebble race. Retreating we retraced our steps back to the start and a welcome lunch stop.
The afternoon was an exploration down onto Lake Glenmaggie and the McAlistair River. The water level had dropped significantly since last viewed 2 weeks ago, when passage under the bridge on the Licola - Glenmaggie Road would have been impossible. Travelling under the bridge, we hugged the left shore and rounded Katrina Crescent point, the lea side which provides a perfect launch spot for a future northern exploration of the McAlister River. There is a small area of public access and car parking, visited on the day by 3 golden retrievers bundles of energy bounding and frolicking in the shallow waters. For one of the dogs, this was hydrotherapy, having developed rear limb paralysis. Her owner has built a 2 wheeled crate so that she can mobilise independently on land, in water she was just “one of the dogs”. Travelling up the McAlistair River, a large open waterway we were tempted with plans for future paddles. However that is a story for another day. Turning, we made our way back to the start and headed back to base camp – we had a wedding to catch from a distance.
Sunday we were joined by Patsy and John, wishing to try out the clubs Sea Kayaks. Having adjusted boats to suit occupants, basic mentoring in paddling we set off. With deteriorating weather due to wind, we decided to repeat our Saturday morning exploration in the sheltered waters of the Glenmaggie Creek. Much to the delight of onlookers the fledgling Wedgetail Eagle took his first flight from the nest, landing out of sight in the undergrowth below. Bird life was not as prolific as on the previous day, but the paddle was enjoyed equally by all.
Thank you to all who participated – Graham, Kate, Roz, Pat, Chris, Don, Marg, Patsy, John and made this a most successful and enjoyable weekend. Avenel
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