Paddling on Broughton Creek | photo Greg King
Friday – Sunday 8-10 February: Paddling on the Shoalhaven Coast – M. A weekend mucking around in boats with the Eternity Church boys.
Summary
Distance: 17km in 2 paddles | Grading: M(8) paddle
Photographs
Photographs are available, where you can start a large sized slideshow.
Video
Waypoint and Track Files
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Track Notes
Greg picked me up from my old folks home at 9.30am on Friday. I had little idea where I was going, no food, forgot my phone and had no boat of my own. Just trusting the good Lord and my mates.
A trailer with 3 plastic sit-ons was hitched on at John C’s home and his good wife’s pillow thrown in for me. Another vehicle of 2 sit-ons plus paddlers joined us in Bungendore.
A delightful trip via the Nerriga Road, whisking past all the places we walk from. New country for me (I think) as we passed HMAS Albatross. Into Nowra, south on the Princes Highway, left into Jervis Bay Rd and a few more turns had us at Jervis Bay Cabins and Camping which John C had reserved for us.
A quick settle in (lunch was made up for later) with me as the senior partner allocated the double bed, change of clothes, back the trailer down to Currambene Creek, pop a car down at Huskisson and we were away.
I was so very pleasantly surprised! Having never been on a sit-on before (and probably turning up my nose at them a little), I found Greg’s loan boat very stable, easy to paddle and maneuverable – and so comfortable. I’m a fan!
With no recording device, maps later showed we paddled around 6km, probably taking around 2 hours. Mangroves at the start then, as we neared Woollamia, a nice sandy bottom and some flash boats moored about. Very pleasant to paddle along and look and chat.
Back home for a shower and change of clothes, then into the Huskisson pub. A couple of rounds of drinks (soft for me on my 39th consecutive AFD), then a very nice crumbed calamari meal for tea. A heavy and prolonged thunderstorm entertained us. These friends sure do eat well on their trips!
A mild sheet only night. No comment on who does or doesn’t snore.
Saturday morning we drove to Berry. A very nice breakfast at one of the local eateries.
Drove a little way south out of town to the Broughton Creek Reserve, dropped a car and drove he 5 of us + boats to a suitable launching point onto Broughton Creek at Back Forest.
A longer paddle upstream today. John C had again done his tides research well, but could do nothing about the gusting wind. This paddle wound its way through farming land. The banks dropped off steeply in the water and there was no opportunity for a stop to stretch our legs. Many, many jellyfish floating by. Probably around 11km in 3.5 hours.
Vehicles, boats and bodies back together, we motored to check out further paddles. A nice drive of about 4 hours following the Shoalhaven River up from Nowra into wild country on wild fire trails in the Morton State Conservation Area. We visited Coolendel camping ground and walked down to the Shoalhaven. Called in at Gradys camping ground at Burrier on the way back.
Showered and hit the Huskisson strip for dinner. Saturday night, so many we tried booked out. Eventually David found a swank restaurant and bar and we again dined in style.
Sunday was designated for checking out future paddles too. We drove into Nowra for a down-market breakfast at Maccas, then through Kangaroo Valley and to Talowa Dam. Had a walk down the portage track to the river below the dam, then back up to chat with paddlers just returning from camping up the Shoalhaven River. Plenty of options for future trips.
A dozy and chatty trip back to Canberra for me. Home in time for arvo tea guests, so brownie points for me
Many thanks boys for a terrific weekend. A great combination of travelling, chatting, paddling and fine eating!
Track Maps
Track Currambene Creek
Track Broughton Creek
Party
5 paddlers – David B, Jeff B, John C, Greg K, me.