Kayaking and canoeing in the River Red Gums - NSW National ...
Kayaking and canoeing in the River Red Gums - NSW National ... Kayaking and canoeing in the River Red Gums - NSW National ...
Kayaking and canoeing in the River Red Gums Photos by D Finnegan/OEH Become acquainted with the mighty Murrumbidgee and Murray Rivers in the River Red Gum forests of southern NSW through the best way possible – on the river itself. The river red gum forests provide the perfect setting for paddling through the waterways, which also include lakes, lagoons and wetlands. Whether you’re a paddle sport expert or a humble novice, there’s an aqua experience just waiting for you. ABOUT THE AREA Lining the banks of rivers and wetlands, sometimes growing up to 45 metres, the River Red Gums provide welcome shade to a myriad of plant and animal life, help stabilise river banks, and provide the perfect backdrop for a scenic canoe or kayaking adventure. The river red gum reserves of NSW include a range of national parks, regional parks and nature reserves, all perfect settings for your next bush experience. GETTING THERE The Yanga, Murrumbidgee Valley and Murray Valley Regional and National Parks are ideal places for an aquatic adventure. All three can be found in the Western Riverina district of southern NSW. So if you’re within coo-ee distance of towns such as Deniliquin, Balranald, Moama, Mathoura, Narrandera, Leeton or Hay, then you’re in the right place. And if you’re not, then it’s worth the trip. TOP WATERWAY EXPERIENCES Absorb the beauty of the natural scenery and water life of this gorgeous pocket of paradise at one of these top spots for kayakers and canoeists, or join in a guided kayaking tour with the Riverina Experience www.riverinaexperience.com.au. BALRANALD Hire a canoe from Balranald Caravan Park, on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, and embrace the calm setting from the shade of the ancient river gums. LEETON Go with the flow of the Murrumbidgee River alongside MIA II, and paddle your way to the picturesque Middle Beach. NARRANDERA A paddle past the Narrandera Nature Reserve and Narrandera Regional Park is a must-do for kayakers, with the abundant birdlife and wildlife sure to sneak a peek at you as you take your water journey. Keep an eye out for the koalas! MATHOURA Grab your kayak and get up close to the waterbirds near the Reed Beds Bird Hide, then set up camp at the riverside Edward River Bridge Campground. MOAMA Set on the banks of the mighty Murray River and with easy boating access, Five Mile is perfect for a paddle, as is the nearby Benarca Campground, with its sandy beach and magnificent views. Drop in at Echuca Boat and Canoe Hire www.echucaboatcanoehire.com to get the gear you need. DENILIQUIN It’s inland beaches aplenty in this neck of the woods, and what better way to enjoy the Edward River than a canoe trip between the picturesque McLean Beach and Willoughby’s Beach. BAROOGA Ski Beach has been a magnet for leisure-loving families for years. Come and see what makes it so popular, particularly for kayakers, then set up camp at the nearby Quicks Beach Campground.
<strong>Kayak<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>canoe<strong>in</strong>g</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>River</strong> <strong>Red</strong> <strong>Gums</strong><br />
Photos by D F<strong>in</strong>negan/OEH<br />
Become acqua<strong>in</strong>ted with <strong>the</strong><br />
mighty Murrumbidgee <strong>and</strong><br />
Murray <strong>River</strong>s <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>River</strong> <strong>Red</strong><br />
Gum forests of sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>NSW</strong><br />
through <strong>the</strong> best way possible<br />
– on <strong>the</strong> river itself.<br />
The river red gum forests<br />
provide <strong>the</strong> perfect sett<strong>in</strong>g<br />
for paddl<strong>in</strong>g through <strong>the</strong><br />
waterways, which also <strong>in</strong>clude<br />
lakes, lagoons <strong>and</strong> wetl<strong>and</strong>s.<br />
Whe<strong>the</strong>r you’re a paddle sport<br />
expert or a humble novice,<br />
<strong>the</strong>re’s an aqua experience just<br />
wait<strong>in</strong>g for you.<br />
ABOUT THE AREA<br />
L<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> banks of rivers <strong>and</strong> wetl<strong>and</strong>s,<br />
sometimes grow<strong>in</strong>g up to 45 metres, <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>River</strong> <strong>Red</strong> <strong>Gums</strong> provide welcome shade<br />
to a myriad of plant <strong>and</strong> animal life, help<br />
stabilise river banks, <strong>and</strong> provide <strong>the</strong><br />
perfect backdrop for a scenic canoe or<br />
kayak<strong>in</strong>g adventure.<br />
The river red gum reserves of <strong>NSW</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>clude a range of national parks,<br />
regional parks <strong>and</strong> nature reserves,<br />
all perfect sett<strong>in</strong>gs for your next bush<br />
experience.<br />
GETTING THERE<br />
The Yanga, Murrumbidgee Valley <strong>and</strong><br />
Murray Valley Regional <strong>and</strong> <strong>National</strong><br />
Parks are ideal places for an aquatic<br />
adventure. All three can be found <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Western <strong>River</strong><strong>in</strong>a district of sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
<strong>NSW</strong>. So if you’re with<strong>in</strong> coo-ee distance<br />
of towns such as Deniliqu<strong>in</strong>, Balranald,<br />
Moama, Mathoura, Narr<strong>and</strong>era, Leeton<br />
or Hay, <strong>the</strong>n you’re <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> right place. And<br />
if you’re not, <strong>the</strong>n it’s worth <strong>the</strong> trip.<br />
TOP WATERWAY<br />
EXPERIENCES<br />
Absorb <strong>the</strong> beauty of <strong>the</strong> natural<br />
scenery <strong>and</strong> water life of this gorgeous<br />
pocket of paradise at one of <strong>the</strong>se top<br />
spots for kayakers <strong>and</strong> canoeists, or<br />
jo<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> a guided kayak<strong>in</strong>g tour with <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>River</strong><strong>in</strong>a Experience<br />
www.river<strong>in</strong>aexperience.com.au.<br />
BALRANALD Hire a canoe from<br />
Balranald Caravan Park, on <strong>the</strong> banks of<br />
<strong>the</strong> Murrumbidgee <strong>River</strong>, <strong>and</strong> embrace<br />
<strong>the</strong> calm sett<strong>in</strong>g from <strong>the</strong> shade of <strong>the</strong><br />
ancient river gums.<br />
LEETON Go with <strong>the</strong> flow of <strong>the</strong><br />
Murrumbidgee <strong>River</strong> alongside MIA II,<br />
<strong>and</strong> paddle your way to <strong>the</strong> picturesque<br />
Middle Beach.<br />
NARRANDERA A paddle past <strong>the</strong><br />
Narr<strong>and</strong>era Nature Reserve <strong>and</strong><br />
Narr<strong>and</strong>era Regional Park is a must-do<br />
for kayakers, with <strong>the</strong> abundant birdlife<br />
<strong>and</strong> wildlife sure to sneak a peek at you<br />
as you take your water journey. Keep an<br />
eye out for <strong>the</strong> koalas!<br />
MATHOURA Grab your kayak <strong>and</strong> get<br />
up close to <strong>the</strong> waterbirds near <strong>the</strong><br />
Reed Beds Bird Hide, <strong>the</strong>n set up camp<br />
at <strong>the</strong> riverside Edward <strong>River</strong> Bridge<br />
Campground.<br />
MOAMA Set on <strong>the</strong> banks of <strong>the</strong> mighty<br />
Murray <strong>River</strong> <strong>and</strong> with easy boat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
access, Five Mile is perfect for a paddle,<br />
as is <strong>the</strong> nearby Benarca Campground,<br />
with its s<strong>and</strong>y beach <strong>and</strong> magnificent<br />
views.<br />
Drop <strong>in</strong> at Echuca Boat <strong>and</strong> Canoe Hire<br />
www.echucaboatcanoehire.com to get<br />
<strong>the</strong> gear you need.<br />
DENILIQUIN It’s <strong>in</strong>l<strong>and</strong> beaches<br />
aplenty <strong>in</strong> this neck of <strong>the</strong> woods, <strong>and</strong><br />
what better way to enjoy <strong>the</strong> Edward<br />
<strong>River</strong> than a canoe trip between<br />
<strong>the</strong> picturesque McLean Beach <strong>and</strong><br />
Willoughby’s Beach.<br />
BAROOGA Ski Beach has been a<br />
magnet for leisure-lov<strong>in</strong>g families for<br />
years. Come <strong>and</strong> see what makes it so<br />
popular, particularly for kayakers, <strong>the</strong>n<br />
set up camp at <strong>the</strong> nearby Quicks Beach<br />
Campground.
SAFETY INFORMATION<br />
As beautiful as <strong>the</strong>y are, <strong>River</strong> <strong>Red</strong><br />
<strong>Gums</strong> are also habitat trees. They<br />
provide important tree hollows for a<br />
range of animals. As a result of <strong>the</strong> tree<br />
hollows, sometimes branches do fall,<br />
so it’s important to be aware of what’s<br />
happen<strong>in</strong>g above you.<br />
Many <strong>NSW</strong> parks are rugged places,<br />
wea<strong>the</strong>r can change quickly <strong>and</strong><br />
conditions <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> bush or on <strong>the</strong> water<br />
may be unpredictable. When visit<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
national park, be aware of <strong>the</strong> risks <strong>and</strong><br />
take responsibility for your own safety<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> safety of any children <strong>in</strong> your<br />
care. Remember to plan ahead, choose<br />
your activities to match your stam<strong>in</strong>a <strong>and</strong><br />
fitness level, ensure you take enough<br />
fresh dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g water <strong>and</strong> food for your<br />
trip, <strong>and</strong> tell someone where you’re go<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>and</strong> when you’ll be back. Road conditions<br />
can also be hazardous when wet.<br />
PARK RULES<br />
Camp<strong>in</strong>g is free <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>River</strong> <strong>Red</strong> Gum<br />
reserves, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>re’s no need to book.<br />
Just pull up your caravan or car <strong>and</strong> pick<br />
a spot <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> designated campground.<br />
Cook<strong>in</strong>g outdoors is part <strong>and</strong> parcel of<br />
<strong>the</strong> camp<strong>in</strong>g experience, <strong>and</strong> it’s a good<br />
idea to pack a gas or liquid fuel stove<br />
for your trip. Unlike many o<strong>the</strong>r bush<br />
camp<strong>in</strong>g spots, small campfires are<br />
allowed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>River</strong> <strong>Red</strong> Gum reserves<br />
outside of <strong>the</strong> solid fuel ban period.<br />
A solid fuel fire ban applies<br />
between 31 October <strong>and</strong> 31 March<br />
each year. Park management may<br />
vary this if local conditions change.<br />
If you do have a small campfire, make<br />
sure you completely ext<strong>in</strong>guish all fires<br />
before leav<strong>in</strong>g an area or go<strong>in</strong>g to bed.<br />
A small amount of glow<strong>in</strong>g embers can<br />
start a bushfire.<br />
Please don’t feed native animals - it can<br />
damage <strong>the</strong>ir health <strong>and</strong> make <strong>the</strong>m<br />
dependent on campers for food. To avoid<br />
attract<strong>in</strong>g scavengers, store food <strong>and</strong><br />
garbage <strong>in</strong> a secure conta<strong>in</strong>er.<br />
Don’t forget, dogs are only allowed <strong>in</strong><br />
Regional Parks, so best to check before<br />
you br<strong>in</strong>g Fido along for <strong>the</strong> ride!<br />
TO FIND OUT MORE<br />
For fur<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong>formation, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
detailed maps <strong>and</strong> directions, visit:<br />
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/<br />
murrumbidgee-valley-national-park<br />
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/<br />
murray-valley-national-park<br />
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/<br />
yanga-national-park