An 8.04am, 1.9m high tide at Wagonga Entrance (8.15am from our launch site at Bar Beach South) made for an early departure of 5.45am. Having loaded R's boat onto our car the previous afternoon, we drove directly to Quota Park in Narooma where we collected R and left her car. We then made our way to Bar Beach South and quickly unloaded the boats.
It was a tad daunting to see the tide still running in hard and strong, and to realise we would have numerous fishing boats to avoid, not to mention dealing with their resultant wakes, as they left the inlet for their days fishing
Setting off at 7.0am we headed up along the beach before cutting a wide arc through a bevy of early morning swimmers. L had issued advice to keep well away from the groin to avoid been mashed onto the rocks by the incoming tide.
Once around the groin and being swept along on the tide, it wasn't long before we were kept busy dealing with speed boat wakes, buoy avoidance and making it around the corner in one piece.
Once safely around the corner life calmed down although we were still being carried along at a fair clip by the tide.
We espy a seal approaching who checked L and I out as it passed.
It then turned back to follow R for awhile
for what looked like a rudder inspection, at one stage touching it with his nose.
Next it was Masked Lapwings, who ignored us as we swept by.
The current carried us along the boardwalk and past the moored boats
Past a Nankeen Night Heron
and under the bridge onto calmer waters.
After heading up the lake for a bit
We turned right to explore the edges of Barlows Bay
L inspects a very well kept boat house at the head of the bay
Having headed up the other side of the bay
we crossed Clarks Bay and rounded Black Bream Point. After a short confab it was agreed that a tea break was a matter of some urgency for those of us for whom breakfast before dawn was an anathema. Accordingly we crossed from Black Bream Point to Ringlands Point and followed it around into Ringlands Bay where we stopped at 9.20am to replenish the batteries.
Whilst there we were visited by a large stingray, of which we had seen several on the paddle so far.
It came to within 5-6 feet of the shore and sat on the bottom perfectly well aware that we were there. It sat there for about 10 minutes. I think it mistook us for fishermen and was hoping for some fish heads or guts to the thrown its way.
At 9.55 we took to the water again for
the short paddle across the lake to Quota Park, stopping 3/4's of the way across for a raft up and chat.,
Amongst other things, having decided that lunch together somewhere seemed like a good idea
we paddled on and finished at 10.30am. Whilst we waited for the car shuffle to be completed V book us into Octopi back in Bermi. Yum Yum
Trip Notes:
This paddle is best done on a windless, sunny day to fully appreciate the beautiful water and the marine creatures that reside in it.
High Tide: Entrance 8.04am 1.9m
Bar Beach South: 8.15am
Put In: Bar Beach South
Take Out: Boat ramp at Quota Park.
3/12 hours
8.9kms
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