Wednesday 13 August 2025 Burrill Lake

 As a colder day was forecast with a south west breeze kicking in around midday (which when it arrived came from the south east) we chose a circumnavigation of the more sheltered south east arm of Burrill Lake for todays outing.

Wanting to be off the water around 2.00pm it was an early rise and

departure for the 40min drive to Burrill Lake.

By 9.30 the last of us had launched and

we paddled across the water to begin our circumnavigation.  As the water was shallow in parts it was impossible to edge creep. Still we managed to see a Azure Kingfisher, some White Faced Herons, a bunch of Greater Egrets and a whole lot of Little Black Cormorants.

As we approached the end of the arm we paused at the Western Arm Picnic area - complete with picnic table. However as it was partially shaded L suggested we paddle back 500m to the little sunny beach we had recently passed.

This we all somewhat reluctantly did, the picnic table having looked so inviting, but it was very pleasant to bask in the full sun for 20 minutes or so. Soon after settling down we were joined by this very tame kookaburra (the largest of the kingfisher family don't you know). 

When no titbits were forthcoming - no one having packed any worms, mice, small reptiles or insects for their morning tea - he shat on L's chair cover, narrowily missing G's shiny red kayak. Either optmistic or just enjoying some company he stayed with us until we packed up and departed.

Revived, we took to the water once more and crossed the arm to continue our circumnavigation.

Approaching the narrow opening to the arm a brief confab was held and it was decided that as we still had plenty of time we would paddle a little way up the main lake and look for somewhere to have lunch. After a little over a kilometre we found a sunny bit of grass, sheltered from the cold breeze in a little bay on the northern side of Lakeshore Lodge. 

After lots more chat we set off once more and once we had turned into the main body of the lake we found ourselves facing a cold head breeze and so mostly in silence we steadidly paddled the 2kms back to Barker Reserve, ending our paddle a little before 2.00pm.

Not much GoPro footage I'm afraid - nattering away too much.

Courtesy of G&R we had pasta and a delicious beef cheek ragu (in which our friendly kooka would have glady partaken!) for dinner, after which we retired to our cabins and tumbled into bed replete, happy and pleasantly tired after another days paddle.

Again, thanks to J for the photos.

Trip Notes:

Lake: Open

Lake Level at Highway gauge: 0.25m

High tide:    At Inlet 11.07am 1.5m

                    At highway bridge 11.56am 1.5m

Put In/Take Out: Barker Reserve, Lakeview Drive

9.53km