Thursday 23 September 2021 Wonboyn River

 If there is a god of good fortune she smiled upon L&I last week.  As we were driving home from our last paddle R received a call from her other half to let us know the it had just been announced that Covid restrictions for our area were to be lifted at 5.00pm that afternoon - perhaps our booking at Green Cape Light Station could be reinstated??  So as soon as we got home I was straight onto the phone to National Parks; after a few phone calls back and forth, late Friday it was confirmed, we could head down to Green Cape on Sunday - bliss.  Sadly, our friends from Victoria would not be able to join us this year, the border between the two states still being closed.  However, after some quick planning V&S were to join us on Wednesday for a paddle on Thursday.

After some frantic planning and preparation on Saturday we headed south on Sunday and arrived at Green Cape to find we had the place to ourselves. Although whale sightings, close in, were a bit thin on the ground we did see some. 

However the rest of the wild life kept us entertained and during the week we saw several pods of dolphins, seals, sea eagles, gannets, an albatross and other marine birds. The weather was variable, but always interesting.

And the resident wombats could be seen every afternoon.

Coming back from a walk one evening we encountered the local laird.

 

He boldly waddled up to L and 

gave him the once over

and then waited expectantly for this mere paying member of the public to tug his forelock and step aside.

S&V joined us on Wednesday arvo and after a convivial evening we set off Thursday morning for Wonboyn. Having arrived later than planned we hustled to get the boats unloaded and get on the water.

We were greeted by this pelican who paddled off in disappointment when it became apparent we had no fish to offer. The entrance to the river is across the lake just above the fish table.

We set off at 10.25am and paddled the 1.8km across the top of the lake to the river entrance. Once in the river we eased our pace a little and

the chat started.

After a further 3.56 kilometres we spied our take out for morning tea. Looking upriver before heading to shore.

We pulled in at 11.40am and relaxed for 30 minutes. 

Taking to the water again

we continued upstream,

the glassy water only disturbed by the occasional zephyr

I marvelled at how much vegetation had grown in the 11 months since we last paddled Wonboyn. The next two pics were taken in the same area at the end of October last year!

At 12.50 we reached the rock garden the marked the limit of our paddle.

A well disguised water dragon eyes us warily.

We wove our way around the garden to see if there were a way through. Not here

Maybe here, but those with the composite boats were reluctant to rough them up and I had already ground the bottom of my beauty on a number of rocks. Plus there was the long return paddle to be considered. Perhaps another time as Google Earth shows another long pool ahead.

Having spent 10 minutes or so exploring the rock garden we returned downstream,

heading for the island where we would stop for lunch. We pulled in at 1.10pm  and in between the usual polly pounding, this time with the added fillip of some cynical submarine discourse we enjoyed our lunch and lazed in the sun.

As is par for the course when paddling a breeze sprang up which prodded us into packing up and continuing our paddle. So after a 50 minute break we pulled away from the little island and

paddled downstream into the breeze.

Just past where we stopped for morning tea we took a side trip up Stevens Creek

With S leading the way

we marvelled at the thick new undergrowth and pondered the usefulness of fuel reduction burns.

With the water too shallow for L and I, S with V soon to follow forges on.

Around the corner they found a large deep rock lined pool at the end of which the water narrowed and became too shallow even for them.

Returning down the pool.

Once back out in the river we paddled into the breeze. 

With about 2.7kms to go we pulled in for a quick break and to don more clothing before tackling the most exposed part of the river and the lake crossing.

 

Once on the lake we paddled through choppy water which came at us sideways so we lined up the inlet to the boat ramp and 

in the late afternoon light we paddled steadily toward it.

All a bit damp from the spray and the chop we were pleased to reach the inlet and boat ramp at 4.20pm where we were sheltered from the now cold breeze.

Next morning we woke to another sunny, but windy day and enjoyed watching the waves break on the point as we ate our breakfast on the sunny sheltered verandah all the while keeping an eye out for whales.

A wave demon getting ready to pounce.

Trip Notes:

Put In/Take Out: Wonboyn Boat Ramp

High Tide: Lake Entrance 9.30am 1.5ms

17.5kms

6 hours

Thursday 16 September 2021 Cuttagee Lake

 With an ease in restrictions to allow 5 people to meet outdoors R took the opportunity to join L&I for a paddle on Cuttagee. We hit the water at 10.00am,  turning into the straight we heard a faint buzzing and R looked up to find our no doubt envious :) neighbour charting our progress.

Stopping for a chat with a fly fisherman who had been at it since 5.30am and had had no luck. The fisherman mentioned the commercial fisherman had netted the lake this morning I have seen him laying his nets 3 times since Cuttagee closed in the middle of June and I suppose he has stripped both Little Cuttagee and the main lake of most of the bigger fish. I hope the pair of Sea Eagles that call Cuttagee home are finding enough fish to feed their young.

We paddled down the lake

and into the ephemeral lagoon, which now held plenty of water, where we stopped for morning tea. 

After a pleasant 35mins in the sun we headed back down the lagoon

past all the new growth on the silt jetty,

some of which will soon be doomed by the rising water.

This section of the silt jetty, then high and dry, was where we had morning tea in early August.,

Three swans taking flight toward us as we paddled up the creek.

Further on, near the first bend another takes off toward me. I got a close up view as it swerved at the last minute to pass me at head height.

Once round the bend we were sheltered from the breeze

This time there was enough water to get over the Backwater ford so we continued on up the creek.

At the far end of this spit I ran aground, R having made it through.

While we waited for R to explore to the paddlable limits I extricated myself and admired the clarity of the water

and the surrounding forest.

R's exploration was stopped by the spit, narrow channel and 

rock wall ahead.

Back she comes

this time failing to find the sweet route

We stopped for another 35mins, this time for lunch, on our way back down the creek. The sound of the rising breeze the only thing prompting us to move on again.

Retracing our route round the back of the island to stay sheltered that little bit longer.

Once back out in the lake we paddled steadily into the head breeze until we turned for home, where L got to deploy his sail for a few hundred metres,

before we turned and paddled back across little Cuttagee, ending our paddle around 2.30pm.