Monday 18 February 2019 Wingan Inlet Day 1

With the boats and camping gear loaded and R aboard we set off at the scheduled time of 9.00am for our 212km journey down south to Wingan Inlet in Victoria. The trip was uneventful and we arrived at 12.30 and quickly located our booked campsites. V&S arrived shortly thereafter. First job on the agenda was digging out the insect repellant, it was hot and humid and the mosquitoes were hungry.

After careful scrutiny of the terrain that was to be our patch for the next two days, the usual 'debate' was had regarding the best places for tent pitching. Once the tents were erected and the mozzies had discovered the parts we had missed with the insect repellant we were all hot and bothered and had to recuperate with lunch and a cuppa.

KT&G, who joined us for this paddle, arrived sometime after 2.00 and after introductions set up their camp in the remaining site.With dark clouds overhead L set up a tarp over the table whilst the rest of us set up our beds, which for R&I meant a lot of huffing and puffing - for S&V it involved a casual bit of foot pumping.  Once the camps were set up to everyone's satisfaction and after another cuppa a quick paddle on the low tide down to the entrance was decided upon.

Getting ready to launch

By 4.10 we were all on the water and heading down the inlet

Running out of water and the tide was still going out

L&I have run out of water!

 However only a short walk was required.

Tho we still had to hunt for a path

Nearing the final bend before the entrance

Getting close to the entrance

we pulled in to view the Skerries

 close up of the seals and cormorants adorning the Skerries (courtesy of KT's camera)

Taking in the view

Terns on the beach

Looking back up the inlet

With the water first flowing one way then the other, we couldn't figure out what the tide was doing

Returning to our boats

We reluctantly headed back up the inlet.

Paddling over to check out a sign which marked the start of the walking track to Easby Creek.
The tide was, at long last, definitely coming in.

We had an easy paddle back through deepening water

and finished our paddle at 6.00pm. Note the the water level and the railings to which the boats are tied in the background.

Noting the other boats tied to the railing, instead of loading our boats back on the trailers and returning them to camp,  we decided it would be safe to do the same with our's and we were relaxing back in camp in no time.

Trip notes:
Low Tide at Rame Head: 2.36pm
4.19kms