you never really know what weather you are going to get when you plan a paddling trip months ahead, but you start and unwrap each day, plan the best paddle possible and ..... a wonderful time had by all. Thanks Roz for all your efforts into arranging a most enjoyable trip.
Duck Arm - Day One
Half the group, Roz, Pat, Mike, Ruth and Richard met up at Eagle Point Caravan Park in the early afternoon on Monday, decided not to waste such a beautiful day and made plans to hit the water straight away. We launched at Duck Arm in near perfect conditions with just a slight breeze and had an enjoyable paddle up the whole length of Duck Arm. There was plenty of wildlife, mainly pelicans and black swans, but Pat had a fairly close encounter with a water snake. We took a short side trip into Picnic Bay to see a sea eagle nest, but unfortunately no one was home.
At the mouth of the arm, we ventured out into the lake , but the breeze had picked up and the water became a little choppy, so we turned back into Duck Arm. A short break for afternoon tea on the beach and then we made our way back to the start, past several school camps along the shore with the students having such a great time kayaking, sailing and mountain bike riding, much more fun than we remembered from our own school days.
Back at camp, at 5pm Happy Hour, we met up with the remainder of the group, Marie, Noel, Tina and Derrick, and anticipated our paddling adventure the following day. Author - Ruth
Raymond Island
Plans for day 2 were to circumnavigate Raymond Island. Unfortunately, the South West wind made it too choppy to go around. First, all 9 of us had to coordinate past the Raymond Island Ferry, it seems very large these days. We paddled to a South West point, then with group consultation and local knowledge, it was decided to go up Newlands Arm. A very nice paddle was had by all of us, we went up a small creek at the top, a sea Eagle was nearby.
15km paddle enjoyed by all and definitely the best decision for the wind conditions. Nice and cool temperature, very scenic. Author - Maree
Silt Jetties
The weather forecast for day 3 was strong winds and a temp heading towards 37C so an early start was called.
To compliment the early start, it was a delight to watch the sun rising as we prepared our kayaks.
At 8km in length, the Mitchell River Silt Jetties are the longest in the world. Previously the Mississippi Delta was noted as the longest, however Hurricane Katrina 2005 destroyed the Mississippi Delta and our Mitchell River was the next in line.
A short distance upstream from our launch point, past floods have created a break in the silt jetty, through which it's possible to access into Lake King. Our plan was to pass out through that break, then follow along the outside of the Silt Jetties until we reached the river mouth, then turn back into the Mitchell River and return paddle inside the Silt Jetties back to our starting point.
Recent flood events have carried many logs and trees through the break and out into Lake King, which then settled in the calmer water. In this way, nature has provided a completely clear river for easy navigation, and beyond the path of the river, a large collection of logs and protruding branches that become festooned with water birds. Forget the one-liner about a 'Shag on a Rock'. There were hundreds of Cormorants still perched shoulder to shoulder after the long night, plenty of smaller Divers and the
majestic Pelicans.
To our wonder, it was easy going with a light overcast sky closing the sun out and NO wind as we followed along in Lake King for the 6.5km to arrive at the river mouth. We soon pulled into the bank for a snack and to stretch our legs. To our pleasure and comfort, the cloud cover was very slow to thin and the water barely a ripple for the whole 6.5km back up the river.
It was a perfect days paddle, and a very contented group that loaded their kayaks and then enjoyed lunch under a shady tree as the sun finally broke through. Author - Noel
Mitchell River
For our 4th day of paddling for the week, we set off at 7:30 am on a sunny but windy morning.A reduced group of 5 met at the Rivermouth Rd boat ramp at the start of the Mitchell River Silt Jetties with 4 kayaks - Roz leader, Marie, Ruth, Richard and Mike.
We commenced paddling upstream, past 3 Nankeen Night Herons perched in a river bank tree and rounded the bend past “The Cut” to find the prominent sandstone cliffs on the right bank. Richard pointed out the stratum of river stones high above our heads and we speculated on the geological history of the area. Paddling past a bespoke house boat opposite we met a stiff westerly for 500 metres before turning north towards Bairnsdale.
After following well treed banks the river upstream traversed open farmland accompanied by noisy traffic on the nearby Paynesville Road for a few more kilometres. After a short pause we determined to turn and back track to our launch point.
After morning tea back at camp we walked through the excellent Lakes Nature Reserve to a lookout overlooking the river and lakes at the top of the aforementioned sandstone cliff.
Our afternoon activity was a pleasant and more relaxed Mitchell River loop walk from Howitt Park, Bairnsdale.
The customary pre dinner drinks celebrated the success of the week’s activities.
Author - Michael
