Friday 5 January 2018 Tuross River - Snake Flat to Coomerang Forest Rd Bridge

A one way, 11km, tide assisted paddle upstream was todays agenda. High Tide at Tuross Heads was 11.45am, reaching Tuross River West Head at 1.19pm. So L did some maths and creative guess work and decided we should be on the water paddling from Snake Flat by no later than 1.00pm. We were unsure of the river conditions beyond the 7km mark and wanted as much water as possible underneath us; in this we were assisted by a high, high tide of 1.79m.

We met at G&R's at 10.00am and after a coffee and some initial confusion (putting it lightly) caused by my addled brain, we set off for the Tuross River with G&R and S&V dropping of a car at Coomerang Forest Rd Bridge on the way.

Expecting Snake Flat to be a seething mass of holiday makers, toilet paper and used nappy discarders L&I were pleasantly surprised to find it practically empty and looking quite clean. We set about unloading the boats and lining them up on the little beach. The others soon arrived and we ended up taking to the water at 11.50am - well ahead of schedule (could we be turning over a new leaf for 2108 - is this a CKC New Years resolution no one has told me about!)

 8 minutes later we were all on the water and ready to paddle. S limbers up in preparation for the paddle ahead

The river beckons

After about 3kms we stopped for lunch just before 1.00pm

Only 45 minutes for lunch today - no-one wanting to lose the advantage of the incoming tide we were on the water again by 1.40pm

Massive she-oaks line the banks in parts

Not a lot of paddling going on

After 6kms we passed the place where we had lunch our first trip up the Tuross, NOT where S,V&L said some 31/2 back down stream. My brain is not as addled as I thought!

This is where we turned around on our previous trip so from now on its new territory

Our first island. Hanging back to see if our dear leader has picked the right side

Next island. V,S&I go left

And we have a clear passage

With S leading the way, into the zone

and soon we paddled past these dairy heifers.

And a little further on we had a short delay  at Coomerang Farm as a herd of dairy cows were driven, by dogs and a man in a row boat, to ford the river. The last of them a bit recalcitrant to leave to river bank. Having a quick chat as we passed we were told not far to go now - just around the next bend, said the farmers wife!

2 1/2 kms later we round the last bend and our destination hoves into sight in the distance.

The Coomerang Forest Rd Bridge.

The desire to paddle to the next bend and peek around the corner was too strong to be denied. Looks very inviting.

However, El Capitano pointed out that however far we went we would have to paddle the same distance back again. And we still had the car shuffle and grueling task of packing up the boats ahead of us. So reluctantly we turned around and followed our leader.

Back to the bridge

Ending our paddle at 4.20pm

By 5.10pm, boats loaded and gear packed away, we head for home - but first a little detour further up river to the Tyrone Bridge to look at the water levels up there; the farmer's wife having told us there was more water in the river than usual. There would be a few obstacles to be overcome, but it looks doable. L&I quite excited. The others - unusually silent on the subject!

After getting back to Bermagui and unloading G&R's boats, L opted to go on home and the rest of us retired to the balcony of Maison 57 for a quick drink and a review of our day. The quick drink quickly turned into two or three and after numerous bottles of champagne, rose and something I've never even heard of and the sacking of R&G's 'nibbles' hoard (thank you very much for your hospitality)  S&V dropped me home just after 11.00pm.  A fun evening at the end of a great day.

Trip Notes:

High tide at Tuross Heads 11.35am
River Gauge @ Eurobodalla: 67
Water level at Coomerang Forest Rd Bridge, still full at 4.00pm

Put In: Snake Flat
Take Out: Coomerang Forest Rd Bridge
Total kms 12.2
4hours 30 mins