Lake Alexandrina Archives - Adelaide Canoe Club

A change of plans turned the Lakes Three Ways into the Two Lake Crossing. Mike and Matt organised a car shuffle to allow for a very civilised downwinder. Day 1 from Wellington to Narrung, and Day 2 on to Meningie.

Day 1: Wellington to the Narrows

Mike and Matt left a car at Meningie and shuffled their way back to Wellington, hitting the water by 11 am. The breeze was on our tail and sails were up. It wasn’t quite the forecasted 8+ knots. But still made for a pleasant paddle to Pomand Island.

We were greeted by roosting pelicans on the point, lifting off in thermals — a spectacular sight. After lunch, we tackled the 14 km crossing to the Narrows.

The wind held steady for the first half hour, then faded to glassy conditions. Not the downwinder we’d hoped for, but still a beautiful paddle. We landed at the Narrows and set up camp by the fire.

Later, we were joined by Colleen and John — local paddlers who shared stories of their adventures on the mighty River Murray well into the night.

Day 2: Narrows to Meningie

We hit the water early at 7 am to catch the NW winds, pushing 10+ knots. Under sail and surf, we made great time across Lake Albert, hugging the western shoreline.

The wind dropped off earlier than expected — almost to zero — so we pulled in for morning tea among the reeds on a western spit, surrounded by swans, carp and frogs. A peaceful break.

Back on the water for the final 9 km crossing, we wrapped up the trip with a well-earned bakery lunch in Meningie.

A brilliant two-day paddle exploring the Lower Lakes — great company, stunning wildlife, and ever-changing conditions.

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.