Readers who were aware of our plans, might well be confused by the title of this report. True, we had originally intended to paddle Wingan Inlet however after much investigation, discovering the inlet is currently open to the sea and finding the tides unfavourable we decided to kayak the Mueller (which is closed) instead. On our way down yesterday we detoured to Wingan to check it out. It is definitely worth a paddle.
Looking up the inlet
Looking down the inlet
We then toured the campsite and noted down the numbers of the best campsites. Then on our way down to the Mueller this morning we detoured to check out the Thurra campground and inlet.
Just before we reached the bridge across the Thurra we got a most enticing view upstream
Once on the bridge the views upstream and down were even better and L said "bugger the Mueller we have to paddle this". And that is how we came to paddle the Thurra instead of the Mueller which was instead of the Wingan!
Hanging a left over the bridge we soon found a spot where we could park and launch the boats. It is a bit of a hike from Cann River down to the Thurra campground so we didn't take to the water until a little after 11.00am
Firstly we headed down toward the closed mouth
In near perfect paddling conditions
These terns flew in and landed just in front of us and started their ablutions completely unconcerned by our presence.
After we passed them they took wing and wheeled overhead and landed just in front of us again. With a little Banded Plover (I think) in the middle distance on the wet sand line.
Could this be an entry in Sculpture on the Edge? Maybe not.
Having reached the mouth
We set off down the eastern side of the inlet and looked west to Point Hicks Lighthouse
Some of the Thurra campsites are under the trees on the foreshore
Heading upstream
In midstream we paddled past a log garden R would be proud of
Soon we were approaching the bridge
The other campsites are just upstream of the bridge - and the best one from which to kayak
Once under the bridge we see what enticed us to paddle the Thurra - a bloody great sand dune. More about it later - maybe!
Many different types of vegetation line the banks. This on our left
And this immediately on our right
The sand dune beckoned us on
The vegetation constantly changing
We were in awe of our surroundings
At any moment we were expecting to be stopped for reports we had read and
as Google Earth clearly shows the Thurra is only paddlable a couple of kms upstream before a tangle of fallen trees impedes further progress.
This was a very tight squeeze. At lunch L, loving, caring and thoughtful as only he can be suggested I should not eat anything as I could not afford to expand as I might not make it back through the gap!
Surely we were going to be stopped soon but L is determined to get to where the naked sand dune flows into the water
Nearly there
See the 'couch' grass trying to get a toe hold
We made it and L was a very happy lad. It is an impressive sight.
At the 'junction' looking left, down the way the Thurra once flowed until blocked by the sand dune.
We couldn't venture to the end because two swans were trapped between the dune and us.
So we turned upstream, past from whence we had come
Proceeding upstream. After suffering serious cases of the snag wobbles a couple of times, I followed L's path as exactly as I could.
We still had to paddle carefully - the many unseen, in the tanin stained water, snags just waiting to tip us out.
Just before 1.00pm, as we came abreast of these rocks L called a halt as we had paddled much further than we had thought possible.
We retraced our steps a little and found a spot where we could get out and stretch our legs and eat our meagre lunch - a muesli bar and a couple of biscuits.
At 1.15pm we took to the water and even though there was more river to explore upstream, we reluctantly headed back. Exploring further upstream would have to wait for another day - if the water level stays high!
Back toward the sand dune
To L's left is the modern course of the river
With the swans having decamped we could now venture down to the end of the original course of the Thurra. The black mark (which is debris) on the sand in front of L shows the river has been about 2 to 3' higher recently
Back at the junction we turn to follow the river as it flows along the side of the dune
Once more over the main tangle of trees I try to follow L's line
and back along the beside the dune
Carefully negotiating the 'squeezy' bit - luckily we didn't have much for lunch!
Past and over drowned reed beds
and ever changing vegetation
By now a slight breeze had sprung us and with it came a chill in the air, so the sunny stretches of water were very welcome.
The bridge hoved into sight - our paddle was nearly over :(
Not far now
By 2.35 we were off the water and unpacking the boats.
After packing up and changing we drove the short distance to Point Hicks Lighthouse, a fantastic drive just above and very close to the sea. On the way back through the Thurra campground we checked out and made note of the best campsites, from a kayaking perspective of course! They are:....
Bugger me, I've lost the bit of paper :( [much later - found it. See bottom of blog]
After which we started to 40 odd km drive back to Cann River. But of course, as so often is the case when L is driving we detoured down the Mueller River Inlet. It too, looks like a fantastic future paddle, so back on the list it goes. We retraced our steps and resumed our journey but after another twenty kms or so we headed off course again, this time down to Peach Tree Creek and Tamboon Inlet - it too looks very inviting but needs further investigation - from memory of what I've read you can't get very far upstream before encountering rapids.
Rating for the Thurra: It has to be right up there - in the top five.
Trip Notes:
Put in/Take out: Thurra River Campground
9.3kms
3hrs 30mins
Campsites:
Thurra River: Best - No.1 backing onto river with short boardwalk access & beside fireplace area. And No.6 opposite.
or No. 18 good for water access
or 21 &22 beside each other, close to fire pit and toilets.
Wingan Inlet: No.3 & 6. Best waterviews. No. 7 & 8 fire across road. or No 11 & 13 across road from fireplace area
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