Sunday 15 December 2024 Bermagui River Mangroves

 A 2m high tide meant conditions were good for exploration into the depths of the Bermagui River mangroves.

We set of about 30 mins before high tide at the entrance to take advantage of high water on our quest to discover hidden leads through the mangrove forests.

The first foray was into the wetlands which we have done before. Once back  on the river we crossed to the northern side and paddled up the inside of the oyster lease. Our second foray looked promising but was a bust. 

After paddling up the river for a way our third adventure began and this one was a winner and with relative ease we managed to navigate round the whole, previously unexplored, lagoon. It's always exciting to paddle new water. 

Returning to the river we crossed to the south to explore what looked like a promising lead to the hidden lake. This attempt was short lived, the way being blocked by loads of timber washed in. A little further up we found a much less promising lead. Doubting it would lead anywhere we headed in. Even with the 2m tide it was very shallow.

With lots of ducking and twisting and turning we kept making progress toward the shoreline where there is usually deeper water.  Once there we found the next obstacles - fallen trees.  Most we managed to scrape over or get around. There was one tho' that proved impassable and it was either go back or get out and heave the boats over the trunk. L chose the latter, only to discover a whole lot of branches needed clearing on the other side to enable us to get through. 20mins or so later we were back on the water heaving and jerking ourselves over the semi submerged branches L hadn't been able to move until we reached relatively clear water. 

After that little experience we encountered what seemed only minor inconveniences on the remaining 200metres or so until we emerged into the lake. After a quick paddle round the lake we stop for a break before heading back out to the river and catching a ride back down the river on the now outgoing tide.

Passing the start of the wetlands we saw people on the beach which only a few hours earlier we had paddled over with ease.

Back in Bermagui the water was busy; tinnies, stand up paddleboarders, a jet ski, swimmers and fisherfolk. We were amazed that we'd had the river to ourselves only a little further upstream.

High Tide: 8.41am 2.00m

10.1kms

Friday 6 December 2024 Nelsons Lagoon

 A paddle on the Far South Coast's most beautiful lagoon was long overdue. 

The reason for this is that with members of the CKC being an aged bunch, in various stages of decrepitude, it is a wearisome task to haul the loaded kayaks from the car park to the water and nearly heart attack inducing to get them back again.

However with a high tide of 1.8m at 12.18pm and good weather we decided it was an opportunity not to be missed. 

We arrived at the carpark about 10.10 and finally launched onto the crystalline waters of the lagoon close to 11.30am.

As you will see in the video, we first headed out to the entrance and then made our way up the lagoon.

As we paddled a sea mist wafted in; a most unusual phenomenon in the middle of day. Apparently it is caused by the water further out to sea being warmer than the water along the coast. It was quite eerie at times.

With the 1.8m tide we got right up and under the bridge over the Bermagui/Tathra Rd, only to be stopped from going further by the adjoining landowners fence.  Even up there the water was still crystal clear. We then paddled back down to a little cove opposite the entrance where we stopped for lunch and watched the world float by on the now outgoing tide.

Having put off the inevitable long enough, we packed up and paddle the short distance back to the take out and began the arduous task of getting the boats back to the carpark. Absolutely stuffed by the time we were ready to depart, for awhile we drove in silence. However once somewhat recovered talk began and we spoke of the glorious, partly otherworldly paddle we'd had on Nelson's Lagoon.

Trip Notes:

High tide at entrance: 12.18pm 1.8m

Put In/Take Out:  Nelson's Lagoon Carpark & 336m kayak carry/drag along sandy walking track to put in.

9kms

Monday 2 December 2024 The Murrah

 Yesterday the elements aligned - a 1.8m tide at 9.29am, a light easterly breeze rising slightly later in the day (to assist us back up the river on the outgoing tide) and a clear sunny 23c day. Near perfect conditions to kayak The Murrah.

Upon arrival at the bridge we found two vehicles and trailers; we weren't the only ones taking the opportunity to get out on the Murrah.

Having launched at 9.30am on the incoming tide we found just enough clearance on the left hand side to enable clear passage until the water deepened at the 1st bend. 

Meandering down the river we met a fellow kayaker and stopped for a quick chat before continuing on. Once we had very cautiously negotiated the oyster strewn rocky section we checked out the entrance before R called for a tiffin break.

Shortly thereafter we pulled into a little beach with shade at one end. There we had some tea and cake and in R's case breakfast and cake.  L  launched the drone and captured, as you will see, some lovely footage of The Murrah entrance. 

By the time we were ready to return to the water the tide had turned so once back in the kayaks we headed across the shallows to the deeper water on the other side of the inlet.  From there we paddled slowly back up river.  Along the way we encountered a couple of kayakers coming downstream. They were on a road trip, heading north and paddling some the beautiful inlets, lakes and rivers that abound along this stretch of the coast.

Shortly thereafter we encountered a bloke in a tinny and he imparted a bit of possibly useful information - The tide has to be at least 1.4m to enable him to launch from the bridge and he has to be back at the bridge a couple of hours after high tide at the entrance. I should have asked, in relation to the tide, what time he had to launch.

Another stop was called for, this time for lunch. As we sat enjoying ourselves another couple, this time in a double kayak went past heading downstream and then another kayaker came back upstream - we've never seen the river hosting so many people. 

L launched the drone again and soon after began madly swearing. Turns out he'd forgotten to change the battery and the warning bleep had started. All was well, he managed to get it back in the nick of time. Left a shaken man by the near disaster R and I, politely ignoring the self deprecating mutterings coming from beside us, watched the river flow by a while longer until L recovered his usual insouciant disposition.

Then all that remained was a short 1km or so paddle back to the bridge and thus the end of our  (mostly) restful and soul nourishing outing on The Murrah.

Here is the video link:

Trip Notes:

High tide at entrance: 9.29am 1.8m

Put In/Take Out: Murrah River Bridge, Tathra-Bermagui Rd

8.1km