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.
10.1kms
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