Participants from SBWC and SGWAAC.
Leader:-Pat Williams, Peter McKenzie, Avenel Casson, Jenny Clarke, Julie parker, Denise Stranger, Michael Haynes, Shane Bright, Don Creed, Michele Timmins, Josie Lomagno and Roz Spratt.
Wednesday 23rd-We arrived in dribs and drabs during the afternoon, settling ourselves into cabins or tent sites. Briefing/happy hour saw nine of us come together and make our plans for the next day.
Thursday 24th-Strong Westerly winds left us with one option, a short paddle on the quiet waters of the Yeerung River. Ready at 9am we left in convoy our first stop was the lookout, overlooking the Yeerung backwater as it meets the ocean. Next stop was the Canoe Launch site. We had just managed to park our six cars (in a very tight parking space), when three fishermen arrived. When a school group arrived in a minibus with multiple kayaks the tiny launch area looked like Bourke Street in Rush hour. Obviously a very popular spot on a windy day. Without fuss we managed to get our kayaks launched and proceeded upstream into the pristine water of the river. The resident sea eagles graced us with an appearance. Fallen logs soon halted our progress, our short paddle just became shorter. Heading out in more open water, the effects of the stiff Westerly made some paddlers nervous, wisely they turned back and took refuge on land. Four paddlers went out to the mouth and had a stroll on the beach, the ocean was pretty rough and our legs received a good old sand blasting. We did have to work into a head wind to return to the cars. Paddlers enjoyed a relaxing lunch by the water’s edge. With kayaks packed up and loaded we drove a short distance to visit the Yeerung Gorge, a tranquil scene that would look very different after heavy rains. The bush was very pretty with lots of flowers on display. With time to spare, some cars went to explore Cape Conron and three of us walked out to the point at the mouth of the Yeerung River, a short but truly beautiful walk. After a freshen up and a cuppa we met for happy hour with Avenel and Peter joining us.
Friday 25th
Up a Creek (Cabbage Tree) without a paddle!!
Not a good way to start the morning. The weather forecast was atrocious - light rain had been falling, wind SSW to 40km, inexperienced paddlers or those without suitable boats not participating, arrived on site, unloaded boats, about to head off to the launch spot – no paddle. Most embarrassing! Just shows that it can happen to anyone – despite the best planning in the world.
The Strzelecki/South Gippsland Clubs are a caring/sharing group – and without a second thought a paddle was produced – thank you Michael and Don.
With an easy launch adjacent to the bridge on Cabbage Tree Creek on the upstream side, we were immediately surrounded by humungous reeds 3m tall. Whilst they generally provided protection from the wind, in other areas they also formed wind tunnels. However with the wind essentially behind us we made quick progress and soon came upon the “secret lake” and the full impact of the wind. Rudders down in order to cross the lake, fetch causing small white caps (fetch = wind speed over water) which carried us down the lake, it was a relief to find “The Cut” – a passage way from the lake back onto Cabbage Tree Creek.
Once more in relatively sheltered waters (compared to the lake) we set off to explore – banks lined with reeds, sword grass and swamp paperbark, stands of eucalypt with evidence of fire having gone through a number of years ago; an Eagles nest in a tall eucalypt up on the escarpment, a hawk or falcon checking out the invaders, an occasional crow or the call of a whip bird but little else – I think they must have been hiding out of the wind.
It was not all plain paddling - navigating fallen timber or a path through reed beds all led to the enjoyment of the day. Unexpectedly our journey was terminated with a fallen tree blocking our way. Retracing our steps we paused for an “in-boat” morning tea; before finding a wonderful, sheltered sun filled glade for lunch accessed via a boat mooring with easy access to the bank.
Reluctantly we packed up lunch, loaded boats and headed back. The wind had dropped slightly so the return trip over the lake was not as difficult as first thought. Before we knew it, we were back at the bridge – some of us with good flexibility did the limbo – slipping under the bridge and paddling on to the Broadribb River.
Those unable to spend the day on the water enjoyed a bike ride to Orbost and back, or fishing in the Snowy River in a sheltered spot off the Marlo Road – too windy in the estuary. Stories of the “biggest fish ever” that got away prevailed – resulting in another day fishing planned for the last day of the trip.
Thank you to Don, Roz, Michael, Denise, Shane and Pat for a wonderful paddle. Avenel.
Today Josie and I rode our bikes from Marlo to Orbost which was about 30kms return.
The weather was quite cool with a WSW strong wind which was a side wind for us, fortunately as the road follows the Snowy River the trees that line the bank protected us from the wind for most of the ride also the sun came out which was pleasant.
On arrival at Orbost, we visited the Information Centre which is a replica of an old bark hut and there was a nice warm fire ? going in the huge fireplace.
Next to the information hut is a beautiful art gallery which we visited and enjoyed seeing the local art.
After which we had lunch at a cafe and returned to Marlo via the same route. We enjoyed our ride which was very scenic beside the Snowy River and farmland.
Michele Timmins
Saturday 26th
There was movement at the campsite, for the word had passed around
That the weather had improved and sun was on its way,
Strezleclki had joined SGWAAC for a paddle on the Snowy,
So all the group had gathered for the day.
What a difference 24 hours makes – the wind had moderated, a light coastal breeze prevailed with next to no wind inland at Orbost, blue sky and sunshine. A perfect day for a paddle Orbost to Marlo. Boats loaded, heading off from Marlo at 8:13am (2 minutes early) to unload at the bridge over the Snowy at Orbost we made good time and soon had vehicles back in Marlo at the Angling Club carpark ready for a return trip to Orbost. Thank you to Peter Mac our chauffeur transporting drivers back to Orbost.
Launching over a wide sandbank adjacent to the bridge we attempted to come together for a group photo, but the current had other ideas quickly encouraging us to head down stream.
Turning the boats, we headed down stream, drifting, paddling, water dragons abound, white heron, water hens, pied cormorants, black cormorants sitting on branches waiting, waiting (not sure what for – perhaps the tide to change), swallows, fantails and wrens. The occasional sandbank, but not shallow enough to preclude paddling. New discoveries -campsites and a boat ramp on the northern banks of the river. We passed a solitary fisherman. Unfortunately, the fishing stories of yesterday were not to be repeated – not a single bite to be had and one very disappointed fisherman
Lunch was a stop on the riverbank, opposite the Little Snowy which provides a short cut through to the Brodribb River. An unusual visitor arrived, encouraged by Don with an apple in hand, a shy 4-legged equine. He checked our lunch bags before wandering off to find some lunch for himself.
With the wind picking up we headed off on the last stage of our journey – into the wind and unchartered paddling waters by these participants. Keeping to the lee bank we again made good progress, starting to feel the full effect of fetch (wind over water) as we came around behind Second Island with small whitecaps making for a choppy sea. The lee of First Island once more provided respite, before the last leg back to the Marlo Angling Club - straight into the wind and choppy seas. Hugging the bank to keep out of the worst of the wind – we made our way to the finish line.
Thank you to all for a wonderful day on the water. Avenel
Michelle and Julie had a leisurely paddle on the Brodribb River today. We put in at the boat ramp a short drive out of Marlo. Plenty of space here for boats and parking and the river is wide. The conditions were good, no wind or current to speak off. The banks mostly had a lot of rushes and other vegetation that provided great habitat for the prolific birdlife and we had time to enjoy it all. The few fishing boats were also very considerate when passing us. We were out for a couple of hours or so. Back at the ramp we lunched with front row entertainment provide by the pelicans and cormorants attracted by the fish cleaning station. Even a young sea eagle joined in, picking up scraps from the river surface and transferring from its claw to beak while on the wing. A delightful day for both of us.
Julie
