Rivers

Some descriptions from the old guide book:

Obi Obi Creek: Maleny to Lake Baroon

South East Queensland. 25km Nambour

Class: III-IV (depending on level)

Length: 18.5km

Level: 0.5m minimum; 0.55 - 0.75m good level; above 1.1m the overall river grading starts rising dramatically

Gauge: Gardners Falls gauge

Gauge URL: http://www.bom.gov.au/fwo/IDQ65390/IDQ65390.540403.tbl.shtml

Character: Continuous and steeply dropping white water

The first 3km of this 18.5km trip is on fast flowing Grade 1 water providing a handy tune-up for the fun ahead. The final 3km is across the Baroon Pocket Dam catchment to the get out point. This leaves 12.5km of continuous and often steeply dropping white water (with a gradient of about 44m/km at its steepest) that provides one of the most enjoyable trips in South East Queensland for experienced paddlers. The mostly clean rapids start with several fast bouncy rock-slides that progress to steep boulder races and drops until Gardners Falls (a 4.1m drop) is reached. Gardners Falls spills into a deep-water pool (a popular local swimming hole) and is often run by kayakers. Downstream there are consistent drops, chutes, gutters, at least one retentive river-width stopper (requiring an aggressive approach) and numerous steep boulder races – some hundreds of metres long. There are a number of fun rapids along the way where those with more playful kayaks can hone their moves. The lush and often dense semi-tropical vegetation along the banks is somewhat reminiscent of Far North Queensland rivers while the occasional interesting geological formation, including a small but spectacular columnar basalt outcrop, further adds to the visual appeal. Unfortunately the concentration demanded by the continuous rapids, particularly in some of the steeper sections, can make it difficult to fully appreciate the true beauty of the surrounding scenery that sometimes seems to pass in a blur. This is one of the classic runs for highly experienced white water paddlers and (accompanied) Grade 3 standard paddlers with solid skills looking to step up to the next level.

Putting In: The park on the upstream side of the bridge in the main street of Maleny (Bunya Street)

Taking Out: Follow North Maleny Road (becomes Baroon Pocket Road) north from Maleny until you reach a picnic area and boat ramp beside the lake. Take note of the time that the gate is locked of an evening

South Maroochy River: Kiamba to Rocky Creek

South East QLD. Nambour

Class: III - V (VI)

Gradient: 10m / km (20m in last 500m)

Time: 2 - 4 hours

Length: 4km

Level: 1.1 - 1.8

Gauge: Kiamba

Gauge URL: http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ60287.html#mary

Shuttle: 4km

Character: Pool Drop. Easy grade 2 and trees between larger grade 3 - 4 - 5 rapids

Needs 40mm of rain on a wet catchment and you have to be there within 6 hours of the rain. In high water the first rapid, called the Grinder is a very gnarly grade 5+. At low to medium flow the Grinder is a solid 5 - swimming this one is not a healthy option as one paddler can testify. We have learnt from locals that a number of swimmers (not paddlers) have died in the first drop after being swept under subterranean caverns in the plunge pool. Another thing we have learnt is that if paddlers do the first drop they tend to get washed onto the river left rock protrusion just before the water leaves the plunge pool. This protrusion is undercut and has caused many boaters to flip in the plunge pool after they did NOT lean hard into the rock. Many paddles just do the last chute and not do the first drop. The rapid at the corner immediately after the Grinder is called Downtime. (it is 80m from Kiamba bridge). After someone got pinned in here the name was obvious. He was dislodged after a number of long seconds. The next kilometre is grade 2 through trees - (quite tricky at 1.8m). Kiamba Falls can be heard from the pool as you approach them. All 3 drops after the first one have been paddled at various levels. The undercut wall on the 3rd fall is particularly dangerous. Watch the rock in the bottom of the 3rd fall. Most people just enjoy the scenery and portage on the River Right (Low water only) to shoot the last small drop into the Echidna Passage. Next is You paddle this and I'll paddle something else. At low levels you can sneak down the left – no rocks at the bottom but check for logs. Right after this is Hoot Shoot. It is by far the best rapid on the river and one of the best you will ever paddle. More grade two’s and rainforest brings you to Guillotine. It is worth a look as it is difficult to see the Guillotine (potential broach rock) from your boat. Guillotine heralds the start of a great section. The Twister, Deception (2m drop on the right hand channel just after twister) the Maze (a chute leads to two channels) and Rocky Drop follow. All good grade 3 - 4's depending on the level. A rainforest pool leads then to Last Chance - a nice grade 3 with a left turn in the middle of it. More grade 2's and trees bring you to the take out at Rocky Creek on the left. Note: In high water ( > 1.5) do not attempt the section below Rocky Creek junction. There is a dangerous grade 5 - 6 canyon that is extremely difficult to portage and with no other rapids it simply is not worth the effort. A great trip for advanced paddlers in SEQ. Best done at lower levels if you don't have someone on your trip who has done it before. Care must be taken as the creek has numerous pinning spots. Runs through private property so please show respect. Some people love this creek - others won’t came back.

Oxley River: Tyalgum to Eungella

Tweed Coast. 35km East Murwillumbah

Class: II +

Length: 13.5km

Level: Eungella gauge: 0.70m minimum; 1.3m good level; over 1.6m high (above 1.35m some play opportunities open up on the bigger rapids but many, if not most, of the smaller rapids start to wash out).

Gauge: Eungella gauge

Gauge URL: http://www.bom.gov.au/fwo/IDN60231/IDN60231.058193.tbl.shtml

Character: Grade 2 + drops and long bouncy races

This is a picturesque 13.5km paddle through lush temperate rainforest and cleared rural land. On a clear day the final kilometre to the finish provides brief glimpses of the lesser-seen north face of Mt Warning's imposing tor. While possibly a bit much for complete beginners, a well-supervised trip makes an excellent introduction to white water for novice paddlers who have mastered basic boat control. The river has many good Grade 2 drops and bouncy races (some several hundred metres long) and three relatively straightforward Grade 3 rapids. Although generally quite open, watch out for overhanging branches (particularly at higher river levels) and the occasional tree strainer. There is only one long (about 1.5km) flat section, however even this is very pleasant as it occurs along a lushly vegetated stretch of the river. Depending on river level there are several low bridge crossings that may require portaging. The prettiness of the surrounding country combined with the fun bouncy rapids make for a very enjoyable trip indeed.

Putting In: Under E.J. Bartrim Bridge over Brays Creek on Tyalgum Road at Tyalgum. Vehicle parking is available in front of a small park on the Tyalgum side of the bridge.

Taking Out: A dirt track from the river up to parkland on the north-east side of the bridge on Tyalgum Road at Eungella.

Leycester Creek: Hanging Rock Falls (Park and Paddle)

Northern Rivers. Nimbin

Class: III

Season: After heavy rain

Time: 10 seconds

Length: 3m Vertical

Level: If it looks good to go

Shuttle: Climb back up using the sling you hook around rock on river left

Character: Park n Huck

If everything south of here is too high to run, or if you are short on time then it's a bit of fun. Not particularly difficult in any way, straight forward drop, is nice for boof practice or to 'experiment' with new ways of going over a drop. Rver right chute looks like it would go, probably a bit boney, and nothing special anyways. You would want to move the rope out of

PADDLE AUS WW GUIDEBOOK 23

the way first. A good way to salvage an afternoon that may have otherwise been thwarted, and though some may disagree with this philosophy- a good way to avoid wasting the day.

Putting In: Turn off Kyogle Road at the Border Ranges Centre into Link Road. When road forks go left. Park at signposted area on Williams Road, 50m South of Junctsion with Link Road.

Taking Out: Back track the same way you came in.

Google Map: http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=-28.559689,153.117158#=1&t;=h&z;=18