Andrew, the new owner of the Wonboyn Lake Resort was most uncivilised, and refused our request to launch at the resort so we could paddle up the Wonboyn River (silly man, we will never go and stay there now) instead we opted to launch down near the mouth and paddle the lake instead.
After lugging the boats 100metres or so from the Council car park down a rough path to the water we ready to launch by 10.00am.
Looking toward the mouth of the lake
Heading down the lake
Pied Oyster Catcher
Going along the northern shore
After R took an exploratory walk to check out the depth of the middle channel - only a short boat drag required - we continued on, picking our path through the shallows
To the sand spit separating the back water we were on from the channel leading to the entrance
After dragging the boats for the last 20 metres we gained access to the channel leading to the mouth
Paddling against the still incoming tide some of us were braver than others. Here, S gets as close as she dares
A flock of cormorants temporarily takes our attention away from
the waves crashing at the entrance to the lake
R & I wondering how much further we dare go
L, like S, is intrepid
But R and I have turned and get wooshed back by the still incoming tide along the fascinating rock formations that make up Bay Cliff
Coming toward the end of Bay Cliff we disturb more cormorants
Rounding the end of Bay Cliff
Paddling along eastern side of Bay Cliff
Looking up the lake to Mount Imlay in the far distance
We followed around the southern shore for awhile and then, not seeing a suitably salubrious spot to take a break we headed back to the northern side and found a lovely spot with a smooth rocky outcrop at perfect sitting height set back a few metres from a pretty little beach. Plus it had a cleared flat area hidden by the tea tree, perfect for camping!!! Have no idea how long we stopped for - guessing 30-40mins.
At any rate we were back on the water by 1.45pm. The tea break/good camping spot is just behind the rock outcrop on the left. We continued our paddle up the lake.
The temperature having dropped and with it starting to spit, S was scarily rugged up
Oyster leases stretch along the length of the narrows. Wonboyn House in the distance
Upon whose beach, we sneakily had a 20 min leg stretch as L and I told the others the story of the Bunya Pine and as much of the fascinating history of Wonboyn House as we could remember. We really needed KT there to fill us in.
We were back on the water by 12.54pm
And before we got underway we noticed a fin cutting through the water about 40 metres away.With thoughts and vocalisations of SHIT, SHARK coursing through our heads and ringing in the air, some slight panic ensued behind me as I looked closer and determined, well 90% sure, it was a dolphin.
The doubting Thomas's to my rear hung back until I paddled close enough for a positive identification. It was swiming around in a rough circle, regularly submerging. Consensus was it was either sick, old or both as it was deemed not to look very well. However, never having seen a dolphin up that close before I'm hoping that it was just feeding on something yummy.
After watching the dolphin for a while, we headed back down the lake, and yep, you guessed it, the forecast breeze sprang up, way overdue and we paddled back into a light headwind, but assisted by the now outgoing tide.
Nearing the end of the paddle
Back on dry land by 2.05pm
10.6km
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