For a .pdf file, please click here…..POLICY DOCUMENT – Member Information Booklet

When:

Tues 28th May to Mon 3rd June.
The voyage across to the Island will be made by Catamaran.

Proposed Agenda:

The actual paddling programme will be finalised on the island.
Keppel has the great advantage of having safe paddling somewhere in most weather conditions.
We will paddle on 5 days with no official rest day.
Only extreme weather should cause the cancellation of this camp.

The north side of the island is most sheltered and scenic.
Two days could be well spent paddling in and out of the bays, up into Sheep Station Creek to visit the old homestead.
We can paddle to Butterfish Bay for smoko then continue on below the cliffs until we meet the open ocean at Big Peninsula.
Walkers could meet the paddlers at Butterfish Bay for smoko.

Middle Island is but a short paddle across the passage. A protected tropical island to visit!

Humpy Island is a most popular spot. It has a large camping area with a good walk up over the hills for views of the surrounding area.

If we strike that spectacular calm weather, which is very possible in June, then the more adventurous kayakers could consider a circumnavigation of Great Kepple or a visit to North Keppel.

I am confident that kayakers and non-paddlers could all enjoy 5 days in this tropical location.
If some wish to (as with the Tassie camp) an overnighter to Humpy or Middle Island could be included.

Accommodation:

Please understand that this is Backpacker Standard Accommodation.
However, we have hired the whole village for the 6 nights so will be able to organise as we please.
The accommodation is scattered a little so we can have some personal space.

The group that visited the Island, last July, camped at the same holiday village as planned for this trip and were most impressed.

We will have access to a kitchen, amenities with hot showers, and laundry.

Electricity is by a generator. This is off thru the night.

Bring your own food, but I believe Woolworths can organise supplies via the daily ferry.

There is a nearby resort hotel that provides a venue for an afternoon drink and the traditional camp dinner.

Cost:

This will depend on numbers and your choice of accommodation at The Great Keppel Island Holiday Village.

Cheapest Option will be approximately $200 – Catamaran crossing plus camping in your own tent for 6 nights.

If you wish shared accommodation in a 4 berth cabin with ensuite then the cost will be approximately $350 including the Catamaran crossing.

Should the camp be cancelled at short notice due to extreme weather (see more detail later) your max financial loss risk will be $125 or less!

Conclusion:

This is a camp not to miss.
The resort owner and staff have gone out of their way to assist.
They have offered a 4×4 utility for us to move our gear off the beach and a tempting hot chocolate or similar pudding served up (gratis) at supper each evening.

Club members have indicated that they want to join the trip and I am interested in finding out how many may want to join this trip. If you are even vaguely interested in going please let me know by return email so as I can do some further planning.

Aim:

To provide a variety of kayaking experiences as well as a quick scenic tour of the Murray Riverlands.

To this end I am planning paddles – down the Murray River (with going through one or more of its locks) – through National Parks and Regional Reserves backwaters and wetland formed by the Murray River - for day paddles or for those who want to paddle and have overnight camps I am planning 2 different occasions when this can be done.

To keep costs to a minimum I am planning this trip on similar lines to the Tasmanian trip we had in February 2012. Fly to Adelaide, hire 12 seater buses or vehicles as necessary for our duration in South Australia and travel to the Riverlands. Our accommodation will be in cabins at a caravan park.
We will hire kayaks and all necessary equipment with the buses towing a trailer with our hire kayaks.

Itinerary:

Please note that this itinerary is very preliminary and is subject to changes depending upon interest and ideas for this trip.

• Nov 4. Depart Sunshine Coast for Brisbane using a Airshuttle service. Fly from Brisbane to Adelaide. Rent vehicle(s) – 9 days – as required.

Overnight accom. -  tentatively Berri Riverside Caravan Park for the whole duration. Location Map

View Larger Map

• Nov 5. Day paddle in Loch Luna Game Reserve (Nockburn Trail)
• Nov 6. Murray River Paddle (Pike River area), shopping, if necessary, for overnight campers in afternoon
• Nov 7. Group 1 – day paddle – (Katarapko Game Reserve) Group 2 – commence 2 day camping overnight paddle – (Katarapko Game Reserve)
• Nov 8. Group 1- day paddle – (Pike River area). Group 2 – return from overnight paddle.
• Nov9. Day off – resting or scenic tour of the area.
• Nov 10. Group 1- day paddle – (Chowilla Game Reserve) Group 2 – commence 2 day camping overnight paddle – (Chowilla Game Reserve)
• Nov 11. Group 1- day paddle – location to be decided upon. Group 2 – return from overnight paddle 18 Feb.
• Nov 12. Berri to Adelaide then Brisbane to Sunshine Coast using a Airshuttle service.

Costing:

Assumptions used to work out final costing:

The costs for:

• Airshuttle from Sunshine Coast to Brisbane and return at the end of the trip.
• Airfares from Brisbane to Adelaide and return.
• Vehicle hire for the duration.
• Accommodation at Berri.
• Kayak and equipment hire.
• National Parks & Wildlife Pass for the National Parks we will be visiting.
• Food and  fuel and other incidentals for the kayaking trips .

Various items may not be applicable to all the members and adjustments will be made accordingly to the various costs as necessary.

I estimate the total costs (variations on kitty dependent on fuel and food costs) to be approximately $A1200.

To register your interest, please contact:

Jim Blyth

koongalba@bigpond.com

Roger Barlow from the PORT MACQUARIE CANOE CLUB paddled with the group and extended an invitation for club members to do likewise if ever in the Port Macquarie Region.

This is a picturesque coastal location and certainly worthy of consideration.

Here is the Club Website …

Thanks Roger.