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Stingray Creek

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Stingray Creek

Hi everyone, finally the weather broke & held for our paddle on Sunday down Stingray Creek.
It was so good to see clear skies, some sun & to be out on the water.
Eleven of us enjoyed our morning gliding around the mangroves & down to the lake which was like glass.
Four elected to paddle across the lake the Limeburners Creek while the rest of us enjoyed the confines of the creek , little bays and stunning vistas across a very calm Queens Lake. You don’t often see it this tranquil. 
Lunch for most was back at the surf club while four of us elected to have a picnic overlooking the river which was very pleasant.
Thanks to those who joined us.
Caroline & Bill 

                             

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Lake Cathie

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Lake Cathie

Hi everyone,
These are photos from Leon’s paddle around Lake Cathie a few weeks ago.
Sorry they are late but in the intervening period my computer died & went to cyber heaven & I am still getting used to my new version!!
This was a fantastic paddle as the lake was full & blocked off & Leon took us through the long grasses and melaleucas on the far reaches of Lake Cathie.
After navigating our way through the grasses, which was fascinating, we went back out in Cathie Creek where some of us headed towards Lake Innes. Bill & I elected to paddle up the lovely side creek & were not disappointed.
Paddling through the grasses is quite an experience & you have to keep up or risk becoming lost in a very short space of time. With the height of the grasses you Had to keep an eye out for the blades of the paddles of those out front as they were often the only things to guide you through!!
Thanks Leon
Cheers
Caroline                                

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Little Rawdon Island

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Little Rawdon Island

Hi everyone,
Attached are some photos from Leon’s paddle around Little Rawdon Island on January 30.
We had perfect conditions after what was a foggy outlook up the Hastings from our place at Riverside; a real pea soup feel to it!!
The ramp at McMillan Drive is so much easier to navigate now & we ( 15 of us ) set off heading up river with some lovely views across the wide expanse of water to the distant hills. The highlight of the day for me from the photographic point of view were some of the cloud reflections further up closer to Little Rawdon Island. 
Along the way there were some pleasant rural scenes with a farmhouse on a gentle slope overlooking the river, a rustic lean to and a more ‘shabby chic’ riverside shack, all with views just perfect for quiet contemplation. One thing I enjoy about paddling up this section of the river is the comparative lack of motorised vessels.
A few elected to have a quick leg stretch at the old ramp on Galloway’s property on Little Rawdon Island before heading back to Blackmans Point.
It was a lovely paddle; thanks Leon for leading.
Cheers
Caroline

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Devils Elbow at Congarinni towards Bowraville

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Devils Elbow at Congarinni towards Bowraville

Hi everyone,


Four of us ( the three Bill’s & myself) enjoyed an absolutely beautiful paddle on Wednesday from Devil’s Elbow at Congarinni towards Bowraville.


Despite what the information plaque states, the paddle was 12.14 kms return & we could not get all the way up to Bowraville due to a fallen tree.


We had not done this paddle for years and had forgotten just how beautiful it is along this section of the Nambucca River. Everything was so green, there were flowers everywhere and it had to be azure kingfisher ‘central station’. It is such a special paddle with so much variation along the way. The big trees are camphor laurels with a variety of others thrown in. There were cattle mooching around under the expansive boughs of the trees, plenty of ‘white sandy beaches’ along the way and constant birdsong. The weather was perfect and the rain did not arrive until we were safely back at Macksville enjoying lunch at Café Cha Cha where we could actually sit down inside at a table (some cafes are still doing take away only).
Enjoy the photos.


Cheers
Caroline

                     

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Cooperabung Creek

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Cooperabung Creek

Hi everyone,


Well last Sunday’s paddle saw us thwarted with access to the anabranches, but we still enjoyed a lovely paddle, in particular Cooperabung Creek  which was just beautiful.


We paddled from Hacks Ferry straight up to where the Maria joins the Wilson River & veered right to follow the Maria. The first anabranch we usually take closest to Hacks (Torrens anabranch) had a blockage and also the Maria anabranch. Luckily Cooperabung Creek did not disappoint & we paddled on up the Maria and turned into where the two anabranches meet. A few decided to tackle the Torrens anabranch; they got through but it was difficult & not for everyone ( or their kayaks!!). Bill W had advised that the Maria anabranch had a blockage right up this end. I checked it out & it was a no go also, so we paddled back to Hacks via the Maria, a paddle of approx.. 15.17 kms.


Bill W, Colin and Peter paddled up from Fernbank & met us back at Hacks. I think there were 15 of us on Greg’s paddle which is another great roll up.


Thanks Greg for leading this paddle.
Cheers
Caroline