Glenelg River Kayak 3 day trip — 19-22 Feb 2026
On a perfect Thursday, 9 paddlers with 8 kayaks met up at Nelson Vic Caravan Pk to set up camp in prep for 3 days paddling down the Lower Glenelg River.
This was just a taste of how the weather looked after us for the whole paddle, even giving us enough time to set up camp back at Nelson on kayak day 3, before the predicted rain returned.
After a meal at the Pub Thursday night, we slept as a fog came in, giving the small seaside town a real fishing town feel. We awoke to a great day, and although there were some experiencing this kind of adventure for the 1st time, and with new equipment and limited set up experience, we set off with plenty of time.
Kayak day 1
Thank you Anne and Simon for going the extra mile(lots with the car shuttle) and assisting with the set up of others. We soon relaxed into a leisurely paddle from Moleside campsite to our 1st camp site at Georges Rest. A special mention to new club member Rosemary, for her effort, her great attitude, and enduring some members humour, persevering with steering issues and water intake until camp. While setting up camp, and cooking a meal, Rosemary also re-adjusted her kayak setup and repaired a hole…all before the sunset. Great effort for a 1st timer. Another test to Rosemary, and to all, was the organiser ( me) had sourced wrong info, and the paddle was 3.5km longer than predicted. The obligatory ribbing was received.
Kayak Day 2
The second day had a perfect 18km paddle to Lasslets Camp site. The weather was cool, the rest stops lovely, and bird life interesting. Many experienced emus in water for the 1st time. The very relaxed atmosphere of the paddles each day, led to paddlers playing under branches, around obstacles, into caves and under over hanging cliffs. A little bit of splashing, racing and bumping may have going on as well.
At the campsite, most took the opportunity for a swim, a read, or just soaking up the vibe. There were other paddling campers on the site, and all were commenting and predicting the concerning weather info we were expecting that night and the next day. We all retired for the night prepared for the possibility that it would be an AM packing of kayaks in the rain, then paddling in some rain and probable increasing head winds, and possible lightning.
Kayak Day 3
What we received instead was: the rain stopping well before we arose. Then a breeze actually assisted us all morning heading West, and again after a break, when the river was now meandering East toward Nelson as the wind then strengthened to a steady following wind, making our last hour a very comfortable and hastened paddle. Rosemary, had to work a bit as she adjusted to the following winds in her new kayak, but soon appreciated the extra speed. This ended up being the perfect 15km to finish the trip. The scenery, the cliffs and the greenery were much enjoyed each day. There was no lightning and the rain held of till we had packed up at Nelson, and set up our tents. Dinner was again at the local hotel, where various fresh made pizzas were enjoyed along with a few drinks and laughs.
Kayak Day 4
The next morning, we all parted company, some enjoying a visit to the beach lookout before saying goodbye. All very fortunate regarding: the weather, the campsites, the well kept toilets, the minimal mosquitos, ants and flies, and no leeches. It was one of those paddles where all got a lot out of the adventure and the company.
Highlights
At the end of each paddle day, Anne sourced highlight comments from each paddler. Here is a selection summary of responses:
- Day 1: The different colours of green, impenetrable scrub on each side, conversations with others, relaxed, companionable, good crew, Berny ‘flying past’ as he towed Rosemary. Going under low branches.
- Day 2, Limestone Cliffs and swimming at camp, exchanging paddles, trying a greenland, helpful tips, bird life, a Great Crested Grebe.
- Day 3, Fortunate, Fulfilled, Friends, Fun, Conversations, Spacious, Awesome, Good, Good, Good. Cliffs, Caves. Tail Winds, Stunning Scenery. Jokes, Magnificent.
And some insider comments:
- “Upside-down, right way up, and Forward (referring to the changing progress of Rosemary’s Kayak experience.)”
- “Its a scream ( referring to a certain paddlers vocal responses while kayaking into, around and under various tree overhangs.)”
- Lets go under that branch (referring to certain paddlers enjoying the challenge and sometimes testing physics and height limitations.)
- Weekend With Berny ( Alluding to A movie comedy).
Joke of the paddle: What do you call a man with a Rubber Toe? Roberto.
All very hilarious, I know. But all said a very good paddle, and great crew.
We arrived at the launching spot near Customs House Houseboats about midday on Saturday. We quickly unloaded the kayaks from the cars and packed, as we were all eager to set off before it got too hot. A short paddle across the river, and then we let the current take us down Suders creek to get to Hypurna Creek. This was not as eventful as it normally is. The big tree which normally blocks the creek seems to have been washed away which made the trip down relatively easy.
After finding a suitable campsite we pulled up and set up camp. We soon put up tents, inflated mattresses, assembled tables and chairs. After such effort, we took a cooling swim in the creek, disturbed only by the shrimps nibbling on your feet if you stayed still for too long.
Luckily Wiperna creek proved to be mostly clear despite being narrower than all the other creeks we had been through. Mostly clear. Right at the end, 100 m from the camp, the creek was completely blocked by a large fallen tree, necessitating people having the climb out of their kayaks, onto the log, drag the kayak over the log, and then climb back in again. Some people opted to skip the last step and just walked back to camp while the kayaks drifted back.
Next morning we packed up the camp and headed off down Hypurna creek. This time with the current so all the obstacles were a bit easier to manage. We opted to do a short (100m) portage to get back to the Murray rather than try and paddle back up Suders creek. This wasn’t too bad despite the kayaks being loaded. Carry straps and six people per kayak made short work of it. We took the opportunity to have a final swim before setting off to do the final few kilometres to get back to the launching spot.
This was another great day. We started with a slight side wind resulting in the occasional wave coming over the front deck but we were soon in the sheltered waters of the oyster beds (Coffin Bay’s famous industry). We stopped on Point Long Nose for a short break, congratulating ourselves on judging the tide and not running aground on its shallows. Our next stop was the whale skull, stranded quite high up on the beach. By now the slight breeze had completely dropped and we had glassy calm water as we paddled along the sand hills of Seven Mile Beach. Their colours and shapes make this section of the paddle very scenic.
The day started near perfect, and then the wind dropped further and again we had glassy calm, crystal clear water. The reefs part way along Seven Mile Beach called for another snorkel, rewarding us with lots of different fish. There was a large pod of dolphins feeding near us as we continued along the coast. It was time for lunch when we reached Point Long Nose but we had to eat standing up because the tide was coming in quickly covering the sand. Back in our kayaks the tide rushed us around the point then we headed back through the oyster beds.
After hugging the cliffs for the first stretch of our paddle back we headed towards the Brothers Islands into a medium head wind. The shelter of the islands gave us a rest and a good view of a couple of big male seals. Luckily they were not interested in us. We timed our return to Coffin Bay township for the incoming tide so even though we still had a head wind we made very good time. After a much appreciated shower our day concluded with dinner at the Yacht Club again.
