Friday 9 June 2023 Tuross Heads and Horse Island

At 6.35am it was looking a beautiful day on which to paddle.

The plan was to explore a small portion of the expansive Tuross River delta followed by lunch at the waterside Pickled Octopus.  

Leaving home at 8.00am we collected R, filled up with diesel and visited the other two petrol stations in town before finding an operating air pump with which to pump up one of the tailer tyres after which we set off the hour long drive to Tuross Heads. 

So somewhat behind schedule it wasn't until 10.25 that we launched the boats toward the eastern end of Lavendar Bay.

We had a delightful paddle, with frequent sightings of the resident Sea Eagles - at one stage watching four of them circle majestically overhead.  However the highlight (which I missed, being busy changing the GoPro battery) was just after we had started the circumnavigation of Horse Island - an Emu entering the water and swimming across the Island. Luckily R caught most of its swim on her phone.

By the time we got back to Lavendar Bay at 1.25pm we had to hustle to pack up, load the boats and change in order to get to the Pickled Octopus for the much anticipated lunch.  Which, I have to say didn't disappoint - in fact it exceeded expectations - the Green Curry, especially, was to die for and the Thai Beef Salad was not far behind.  Needless to say we waddled back to the car a couple of hours later replete and extremely satisfied with the days outing.

Trip Notes:

High tide at the entrance: 1.12pm 1.4m

High tide at Sandy Point: 1.56pm

High tide at Tuross River - West Tuross Head: 2.47pm

(At approx 12.10pm there was just enough water to get round the southern most point of Horse Island.)

Put in/Take Out: Lavendar Bay

10.3kms