Lake Alexandrina Crossing - 4-5 Janunary 2025

A stunning way to spend a weekend paddling waters less paddled. Nine Adelaide Canoe Club members, under the guidance of their trip leader Matthew Eldred, gathered at Wellington Boat Ramp, preparing for a warm 30km paddle across Lake Alexandrina to camp at Narrung.

Day 1

With almost perfect conditions, the group enjoyed the serene views offered by the glassy water. At times, landmarks disappeared behind mirages, sparking conversations about this fascinating phenomenon as we paddled closer to them.

During a break halfway across the lake, Berny decided to take the opportunity to cool off with a swim, giving Matt a chance to practice his skills in helping Berny back into the boat.

The group arrived at the Narrows Campground and set up camp near the water’s edge. We discussed the reasons for the inaccuracies of deck compasses and took the ferry to visit Australia’s only inland lighthouse.

Day 2

The next day, the weather forecast predicted winds of up to 16 knots, but the reality was even more challenging, with winds exceeding 20 knots hitting the sides of our boats throughout the day. Despite the tough conditions, the paddlers handled them with expert skills, making for an exhilarating paddle across the rest of the lake. We travelled from the Narrows to Point Sturt for lunch and then from Point

Sturt to Milang. The 27km paddle on Sunday concluded our three crossings of Lake Alexandrina.

Fun Facts about Lake Alexandrina

Lake Alexandrina is named after Princess Alexandrina, who later became Queen Victoria. The lake is part of the Murray-Darling Basin, which is one of the largest river systems in the world. It is also home to a variety of wildlife, including the endangered Murray Cod and the rare Southern Bell Frog.