Tuesday 29 June 2021 Pambula River

 An easy paddle was planned: high tide at the river entrance was 12.29pm (1.4m) and we had to be finished by no later than 3.00pm.

L&I arrived at the carpark at the end of Coraki Drive at 10.30am to find the rest of the group already there, sitting on the park bench, their boats unloaded, packed and ready to go. Timing our launches for between the little swells that were coming in, we were all on the water by 11.00am.  Being the last to launch I was surprised to see how far the incoming tide had drifted the others upstream.

Rounding the corner I could hear oohs and aahs coming from across the river as the Delta brigade drifted over a large school of big fish.

Looking upriver toward the last bend before the lake.

Having woven our way through the Oyster beds and sand spits in the lake we proceeded up the river on still clear water.

At the junction of the Yowaka River, and our destination for a break, we found this catamaran which in the past has been moored back down the river before the lake.

We pulled in just behind the catamaran at 12.20pm and relaunched at 12.50pm to head back downstream. With high tide in the lake being 70 minutes after the entrance the level of the water had risen considerably and we had a quick trip back through the lake into the lower section of the river.

For once the forecast breeze had sprung up, on time and from the correct direction - but not for us - as we paddled back downstream into a cold head breeze.

Thumbs down was given to the wind sheltered, but shady and oyster strewn site across the river and

 we paddled on down to Severs Beach, the site of a vast aboriginal midden, arriving there at 1.45pm and where we pulled in, careful of the little oyster bommes, for lunch. 

Having found a sunny spot somewhat sheltered from the breeze that was coming straight up the river we had a relaxed and leisurely lunch until L idly asked the time and suddenly it was a mad scramble to pack up and get back on the water.

As we took to the water  at 2.30pm it was decided that because of the breeze and now outgoing tide it might be a bit choppy at the beach where we launched. Therefore to play is safe and lessen the possibility of getting tipped out of our boats we would land at the more sheltered beach just upstream of the rocks.

By 2.55pm, after a few exciting minutes at the end, and with L the only one to receive a lapful of slop, we were all back on dry land, another paddle on the beautiful Pambula River was at an end.

Trip Notes:

High tide at River Entrance: 12.29pm, 1.4m

Put in/Take Out: Car park at end of Coraki Drive

10.8kms

4hrs