Having long extolled the virtues of a Lake Yarrunga paddle to our dear friends, KT & G, from Victoria; they at last found time in their hectic schedules to join us to kayak the awesome Shoalhaven Gorge section of the lake.
As L was determined to also paddle Bundanoon Creek we split the paddle into two parts. Today's section would be a day paddle to the limit of Bundanoon Creek returning to Tallowa Dam and the delights (and comforts) of Kangaroo Valley for another night before returning on Wednesday to kayak camp up the Shoalhaven Gorge for a further two nights.
After fueling up with a Wildes breakfast we drove the 22km up to Tallowa Dam. As you will see in the video, whilst we were getting ready to paddle we were buzzed by a low flying navy helicopter which turned out to be the first of a few helicopters we saw this day. By 9.55am we were on the water and starting the 2.5km paddle down to the mouth of Bundanoon Creek.
Looking up the Creek.
As we made our way up the creek this tree, with its unique colouring, really stood out
Soon, the oohs and ahhs were coming thick and fast - some of them from close encounters with the subsurface lurkers. Only gas bubbles breaking on the surface marred the glassy smoothness of the water on this perfect paddling day.
The creek starting
to narrow
and the water shallowing
as we approach
the limit of our paddle at 11.56am
Returning back downstream we pass an amazing 'rock garden', the pics of which
don't do it justice.
At 12.20pm we pulled in to the sun drenched sandy spit, we had noted on the way up, to have lunch.
We took in the view as we ate, watching an Eagle soar along the heights. Once it departed L sent the drone up for a quick looksee.
Resuming our paddle an hour later we poddled our way back down the creek and upon reaching the junction pulled in at Sawyers for a quick break,
before paddling the last leg, reaching the launch ramp at 3.25pm - the Victorians, like L&I, awed and enchanted by the beauty and magnificence of Lake Yarrunga. Little did they know the best was yet to come! :) :)
And here is the GoPro and Drone footage which render KT's and my pics rather superfluous.
After loading the kayaks and putting air in the tyres of the trailer we returned to Kangaroo Valley and were relieved and delighted to find that finally our accommodation had hot water. After long hot showers, feeling refreshed we repaired to the pub for another convivial evening.
With no aim in mind other than to get onto the water and enjoy another sunny autumn day, once launched we decided to explore the Narira Creek entrance while the tide was still rising at this end of the lake.
For reference here are the high tide times for various parts of Wallaga Lake:
Inlet (entrance):7.51am 1.5m
Bridge: 9.16 am
Merriman Is: 10.25am
Regatta Pt: 10.35am
Launching at 10.30am, we headed over
to the Narira Creek/ Meads Creek 'delta' and had a lovely time exploring some of its nooks and crannies. The following footage is of the mouth - the remainder of our paddle having been recorded in earlier blogs.
Once we returned to the lake we paddled down to Snapper Point where we pulled in for lunch at 12.20pm
Having enjoyed our lunch the rest of us lazed in the sun and watched V enjoy? a spot of fruitless fishing for flathead whilst all around the point other fish were regularly rising.
Eventually we returned to the water and paddled steadily back into the light breeze that had sprung up, ending our paddle at 2.20pm.
With another perfect paddling day forecast we decided to revisit Brogo Dam and paddle the Brogo River arm. We launched around 10.30am and headed up the dam. We passed a lone canoeist and shortly after a couple of kayakers returning to the ramp. The coots, in large numbers, were out again skittering across the water as we paddled up the lake. As we approached the Brogo River arm we met up with another couple of kayakers fishing, otherwise we had the dam to ourselves again.
Due to my lack of GoPro skills and ageing brain we have no pics or footage until just before we pull in for lunch - I had forgotten to remove the lens cap on the GoPro and when I did remember I forgot to adjust the angle and shot mainly sky :(
So the record of our journey starts before we land for lunch at 11.30am.
There followed a bit of fishing, drone flying, eating and a heated debate re the Federal Government's refusal to repeal the legislated state 3 tax cuts (due to start next year and which are estimated to cost $41 billion and set to benefit just 3.7% of all income earners! - I don't suppose that MP's benefiting to the tune of $9,000 per year is influencing their decision?).
Before we knew it and hour and a quarter had flown by and we hastened to the boats to continue our explore upstream. Having negotiated a shallow section and some downstream flow we reached the little rapid that marked the limit of our exploration.
After sitting for a bit, wondering what might lay beyond,
we turned and floated back downstream soaking in the sights.... and reflections
After another break whilst V dealt with her hopelessly twisted fishing line we headed for the boat ramp checking out the nooks and crannies along the way. Most had something special to offer - a pair of kingfishers in one, a startled Grebe (I think) in another and in yet another cool, slightly damp eucalypt scented air which instantly transported L&I to our former home in the Strzelecki Ranges.
And here is the video of our lovely and salubrious day.
At 3.40pm we pulled into the boat ramp to find a couple of local families cooling off in the water on this beautiful warm autumn day.
Memories of our 3 previous trips to Brogo Dam are stark and rather bleak. The first in March 2017 was our first attempt at camping for more than 20 years - all was grey and gloomy and we were chased off the water by a thunder and lightning storm which scared the bejesus out of us and then it rained all night. The second trip was in October 2019, the dam was at only 68% and the surrounding forest was suffering dreadfully in the drought. The third, in July 2020 was after the fires and even though the dam was at 103.03m it was depressing. The water was brown, the sides of the dam were covered in ash silt and the forest was barely starting to recover and was largely silent - we only heard 3 birds the whole day.
So we headed off today with no expectations other than knowing it was a perfect autumn day - blue skies, 20oC and only a zephyr of a breeze. So you can imagine our surprise when we arrived at the boat ramp and gazed upon a sublime view up the dam.
Nearly as surprising was the new jetty and low dock.
We set off at 10.55am heading for
Nelson Creek. Entering Nelson Bay we encountered the only other humans we saw all day; two young lads in a tinnie with an electric motor who were heading home after a few hours of fruitless fishing.
After a delightful poddle up the creek we hit a gravel bar and managed to sneak up most of its length before running out of water.
We got out to check was beyond. Inviting as it looked we decided to
venture no further. After a short break we retraced our route, drifting along
and taking in the views.
Back in the bay, we started to look for a lead through the reeds so we could pull in for lunch.
Finding only one small lead we headed in and beside the bank found a shallow section with a hard sand bottom. Perfect.
Having set up in the shade we lingered and lazed for nearly 1 1/2 hours listening to the birdsong and the coots, busy out on the water and in the reeds, before reluctantly setting forth once more.
We had our 5th vaccination yesterday and whilst L was feeling no effect I was feeling rather manky. So even though L was keen to paddle up the Brogo River arm we poddled slowly back to the launching ramp.
We hugged the margins,
sometimes a little too close.
Exploring all the nooks, crannies and
bays along the way.
Delighting in all the reflections and
masses of little fingerlings and water dragons (between the two trunks) we saw as we cruised slowly back.
And more reflections until
at last we reached the boat ramp at 3.15pm.
As the footage will show, despite feeling off, we had an exquisite day. Other than the odd zephyr the only ruffles on the water we caused by the Eurasian Coots skittering across the surface.
Just a short paddle today as a luncheon date at the Tathra pub awaited. As low tide at the entrance was at 7.16am (0.5m) and the next high at 1.24pm (1.2m) a lazy paddle up river on the incoming tide was anticipated. Instead we started paddling at 10.05am on the last of a still outgoing tide - go figure!
Being the school holidays we found the river quite busy - tinnies, paddle boarders and kayakers on all variety of craft. As on our paddle of the Murrah, good views of a Sea Eagle were had and other than the tinnies and the petrol fumes they emitted we had a good time.
At 11.35am we stopped for a 35min break while L launched the drone and flew much longer and further than usual.
Even tho' we had to work harder than planned we made our rendezvous with G at Blackfellows Lagoon at 12.30pm as scheduled and he helped us pack up the boats. Then it was off to the pub to meet up with S&V for lots of lovely nosh and gossip.
Talk about a day beset with car troubles! The plan was to paddle the Tuross River. However the usual tow vehicle had to be in for a service. So we had to use the KIA instead. It wouldn't start - various warning symbols and annoying beeps being the only sign of life. Finally worked out the keyfob battery had died and we didn't have a replacement. Got that sorted, hooked up the trailer - the trailer lights wouldn't work. Got that sorted. Discovered one of the KIA tyres had a slow leak (which accounted for one of the warning symbols - never did work out the others). Limped into town, inflated the tyre and collected R (who was carless this day) then got a call from S&V - their car battery was dead and on the charger - could we delay departure? An hour later still no signs of life from the little white car. Plans for a lovely day out on the water about to be scrapped when L suggested the Murrah instead.
So back past home we drove, and on to S&V's. Somehow we managed to cram them and their gear into the KIA. Four, by then, hot and grumpy people stuffed in a car is not to be recommended. R worked hard to lighten the mood and restore the peace and by the time we reached the bridge calm had mostly prevailed.
So instead of a 9.30ish start on the Tuross we pushed off at on the Murrah at 11.00am on a still incoming tide.
We paddled over many small schools of fish swimming upriver on the last of the incoming tide. On the trip down river we passed a bloke in a canoe and then an imperious Sea Eagle
A truly magnificent specimen.
While paddling downstream, the Murrah worked its magic; any lingering grumpiness evaporated and a feeling of wellbeing had been restored. About 45 mins later we were cautiously approaching the entrance on a now strongly outgoing tide. At noon we pulled in for lunch.
Where we stayed for an hour and 15 mins. During which S&V braved the waters for a swim (although still too wimpy for kayak fall out practice), L flew the drone, we ate a scrummy lunch prepared by R, enjoyed the beautiful autumn day and had fun mostly bagging the Alone Australia series and guessing where it was filmed. The Reece dam on the Pieman River would be my guess.
As we got ready to depart the lone canoeist returned, reprovisioned for a couple more nights. Paddling back upstream against the outgoing tide was a bit of a slog, however we were aided by the slight breeze at out backs.
Halfway back we pulled in for a quick 'nature break' and R came within a bees dick of an involuntary fall out practice.
The dunking avoided we paddled on and watched two Sea Eagles flying into a tree just ahead. As we approached a Wedgetail Eagle flew out of the next door tree. Then one of the Sea Eagles flew off
while the other remained and obliged for photos before it too took wing.
So, the question is do Sea Eagles and Wedgetail Eagles happily share territory?
Having made it nearly all the way back without running out of water, we had to walk the boats the last 20 metres or so, very grateful it wasn't more seeing we were paddling the Murrah totally out of sync with the tide. By 2.10pm we had the last of the boats up on the bank. All that remained was the pack up. And unlike our drive to, our departure from The Murrah was in a car crammed with replete (in every sense) and thoroughly happy old paddlers.
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