Sunday 5 April 2026 Wallaga Lake Entrance and Merriwinga Creek reed beds

Hoping to beat the Easter Sunday hordes and the rising breeze we left home a tad before 7.00am and headed for Paynes Island, our launch site into Wallaga Lake. As we carried our boats to the waters edge there were only two fishing tinnies on this part of the lake and the breeze largely non existent; so it seemed our plan was working :).

With the lake currently closed and the water level quite high we decided to head across and cruise along the edge of Honeysuckle island seeing Ibis, Swans, Egrets, and Masked Lapwings along the way.

Then crossing to the western shoreline we paddled up to Wallaga Lake Reserve seeing a Common Greenshank/Sandpiper type bird (if you can identify it, please let me know), and a little further on another one missing a foot. 

Having paused for a moment at the closed entrance we picked our way along the eastern shoreline passing a mixed group of Pelicans, Terns and Seagulls before pausing again to wait for a tiny immature, I think, Red Capped Plover to approach our boats. 

We continued on and by the time we reached the entrance to Merriwinga Creek 5 tinnies and 4 fishing kayaks had joined us on this side of the bridge - hardly a crowd.

200 metres up the creek, other than the sound of wrens warbling in the reeds, fish jumping, plopping and swirling the hush of the red beds descended and we were transported into another world.

With the high water level we glided over the footbridge and on up the creek, further and further until it was so narrow L called a halt.  I managed to back paddle around obstacles for 30 or so metres to where with 5 minutes or so of back and forth I eventually turned and then back paddled back to L in order to retrieve a phone, pinpoint our location and change the GoPro battery. Then it was L's turn to reverse paddle, under my directions, around obstacles and bends the 100 metres or so until we found somewhere we thought it possible to turn his longer boat. We were a little optimistic and his kayak got jammed. Pondering for a bit L instructed me to ram the bow of his boat which, other than nearly tipping him out of the boat, did the trick and managed to free him.

Chuffed with our success we paddled back to explore the remainder of the reed bed. At the eastern reach L stopped to fly the drone. Unfortunately it was not a success, he having inadvertently toggled on the zoom, so he was discombulated and the resultant footage is blurry. However, if you are keen, check out the blog entry of 24.6.2023 where there is some great drone footage.

Once back at the entrance to Merriwinga Ck we turned east and paddled to the little beach. However when we reached it we decided, with the sun gone and the breeze bordering on cold, to forego morning tea and head straight back to Payne's Island.

At 11.30am we were loaded up, in the car, ready to head for home. And the icing on the cake - as we turned out of Payne's Island there in front of us was a Sea Eagle perched on the crossbar of the power pole unconcerned by the traffic passing below.

A short but fun paddle.

Put In/Take Out: Payne's Island

7.08kms

Thursday 2 April 2026 Cuttagee Lake: Morning Paddle

 We headed down to the lake just before sunrise; the sky to the east streaked red bathing the paddocks in a golden glow - a magical start to the morning.

Having left ahead of schedule L and I had our boats unloaded and were nearly ready to launch when S&V arrived. This turned out to be fortuitous as after another 80+ ml of rain and the sea washing into the lake during the wild weather on the 26th and 27th March the water level had risen appreciably, narrowing the launch site to two kayaks at a time.

We paddled up the lake and into Cuttagee Creek, this time nearly up to the paddleable limit, to find the last little stretch blocked by a debris pile. Retreating 40 metres or so we pulled in on a sunlit pebble beach for morning tea.

Returning to the lake we paddled down to the bridge where we marvelled at the amount of sand pushed in by the recent storm before heading for 'Cabbage Palm' creek. Here we found we needed another 15+cm of water to enable us to reach the palm grove.

Sunrise paddles really are the best - the problem is getting these decrepit old bodies up and functioning so early.

12.5kms

Tuesday 24 March 2026 Brogo Dam

We had an early start to the day and managed to depart on time at 7.00am. However S&V had what they hope is only a mechanical hiccup and had to pull up. As we were only 10kms ahead of them and they were keen to paddle we turned around and went back. After transferring their boats and gear we abandoned their car and resumed our journey.

Upon beginning our descent to the dam we could see it was shrouded in mist however after a pitstop to use the loos and by the time we were ready to paddle the mist had evaporated and, as you will see on the video, a sublime view up the dam presented itself on this beautiful autumn morning.

After taking to the water later than planned we paddled up the dam for a couple of kilometres soaking in the views and reflections and turned into Nelson bay. Having greeted a couple of campers heading out for a paddle we headed up Nelson Creek as far as we could go. There we stopped for morning tea. By the time we ready to head back the way we had come the day had warmed up and we were happy to paddle in the shade whenever possible.

Exiting Nelson Bay the first of our wildlife encounters happened - a snake swimming across the dam. A little further on it was a goanna swimming across the water. It must have been quite a tough swim, the first thing it did upon reaching the edge was to haul itself partially out of the water and splay flat in the sun.

Ten minutes or so later another goanna was spotted, this time much closer. Swimming is far more awkward for them, no wonder the first goanna flopped in the sun as soon as it exited the water.

As we pulled in for another stop, this time for lunch, I disturbed a water dragon which took off into the water, quickly disappearing, camouflaged amongst the reeds.

L flew the drone once more and nearly bid it goodbye. Whilst flying it up Brogo River all contact with it was severed for a few minutes. Quietly panicking (the rest of us had no idea of the drama unfolding) he kept pressing the come home button. As you will see the drone eventually responded, doing inadvertently, in drone speak, a magnificent 'reveal' as it miraculously missed crashing into the trees. Control was regained only after it was 3/4s of the way back and a quakey kneed L had to sit down whilst his heart returned from his mouth to its normal position.

As we lunched a light breeze sprang up. Thankfully the forecast possible thunderstorm did not manifest itself tho' the air did become a little oppressive and the paddle back to the boat ramp was a bit of a slog through heavy feeling water.

Having stopped in at the local mechanic on the way back for some advice, we drove on to S&V's car and followed them back to the mechanics where their car was left. Then it was into town for some delicious and well deserved gelati (thanks S&V) before dropping them home and thence ourselves.

9.00kms

 

Wednesday 18 March 2026 Cuttagee Lake

 It was a delightful paddle on this very grey, muted, humid but most importantly, windless day.

After paddling across and up Little Cuttagee we decided, upon entering the main lake to do a northern shoreline creep. Other than the sound of our chatter and some muted birdsong it was blissfully quiet.

Lots of smaller fish were spotted jumping out of the water and guddling about just below the surface. Sadly we saw only one bigger fish as the commercial fisherman had netted the lake the week before.

We stopped for a lengthy and relaxed break at the end of Little Lake where we discussed what we had learn't from the newspapers, journals and podcasts to which we variously subscribe - the grim state of the world and the dismal state of Australian politics being chief amongst the topics.

Proving that kayaking to is to mental wellbeing what Mounjaro is to weight loss we returned to the water and happily continued the rest of our shoreline crawl. 

Only a short video today, for a more complete view of Cuttagee check out entries from a few years ago.

10.45kms

Wednesday 21 January 2026 Cuttagee Lake

 This was our first opportunity after the 124mm of rain last week to paddle the closed Cuttagee Lake.

The wind forecast meant an early start and arriving at the lake we were suprised to find the water, though tannin stained was remarkably clear.

Whilst waiting for S&V to join us we passed the time being mesmerized by the cloud reflections upon the glassy water.

We headed up the lake and then the creek, keen to see how the bush was recovering from the 2023 fire, along the way collecting a number of plastic tree guards washed down the creek by the rain.

Besides catching up with the neighbours there were two other highlights.  Alerted by a noise sounding like a creaky, rusted hinged S and I stopped paddling, searched and spotted a pair of endangered Gang Gangs - the male with his vivid scarlet head and crest and a close up, long look at his female partner. They are a rare sight in this area.

Then upon our return down the creek, near its entrance into the lake we spotted a swan with two cygnets. We stayed well clear of them so no pics or GoPro footage.

Can't wait to head back out for a full explore of the lake.

10.3kms

Sunday 4 January 2026 Bermagui River and Nutley's Creek: a family outing

 High Tide: 9.32am 2.1 m

15.4kms

Friday 5 December 2025 Wapengo

 

At last, weather suitable for a paddle plus another 2.00m high tide - bliss.

As high tide was due at 8.52am at the entrance we met up at the oyster sheds at 8.00am. Having launched we decided to head up and across the lake and a little way up the creek.  The oyster farmers were busy tending their produce and preparing for the Christmas holiday rush.

 Up the creek we turned at the old oyster shed and headed for the mouth. A little past our launch spot the tide turned and we had a lovely float down to where we pulled in for morning tea. Having not seen each other since we last paddled in early October, the sun obligingly came out and we settled down in a patch of it and for the next hour or so caught up on each others news.

Back on the water the incoming swell aided our paddle for the first 100ms or so but when it fell away we found ourselves struggling to make progress against the outgoing tide. Forward momentum fell to a crawl as we approached and rounded the first corner and I for one was very relieved to reach the eddy in the little bay.

Resting in the eddy for a moment we realised our mistake.  We should have paddled down to the entrance first off, and then returned on the slack. For the rest of the trip we stuck to the edge, paddling from eddy to eddy and further on sneaking behind the oyster beds where the flow of the outgoing tide was barely felt.  

Not much filming today, we were too busy chatting.

9.9km