Moore River: A Winter's Paddle.

Group Raft Up At Start Of Paddle



Gisela's Briefing

Winter is the time of the year for river paddles and the Moore River is a favourite.

Thanks go to Gisela for leading the paddle and for the accommodation on Saturday night. We had a tasty dinner of casserole beef, washed down with red wine and awesome homemade Gluhwein – just what’s needed for a winter’s night!

  The weather was cloudy, a tad windy and overcast, but not raining which made for a good day. Everyone was on time and some were even waiting on the river bank before we arrived.

With high water levels it was a delight to paddle to the river mouth, particularly at this time of the year, we had the river to ourselves, sharing it with the wild life: two pink and grey galahs, perched on a branch in the river; a Goss hawk circled high above us; a flock of water fowl, probably ducks, took fright as we approached.

As we paddled we could smell the paddocks, not the cut grass of summer, but the damp, wet odour of winter.

The sea was pumping at the river mouth and waves were almost overflowing the sand bar.  How long it will be before the bank is broken is anyone’s guess, but probably not long.  With the breach the river level will drop, so we were very lucky to enjoy a winter’s day of good paddling.

The wind increased for the return, making the exposed area’s hard work, but in general it was just a pleasant day on the river