19 March, 2017

Paddling the Barwon - Part 2

In the first part of this post, I gave brief descriptions of the sections of the river which I have paddled up to this point in time.
On the Barwon, January, 2013

Below is a table giving details of the various points along the river from which it is possible to launch small water craft such as kayaks and the type of access involved. I have also included links to a photo of each location.


Access Points
Approximate GPS Co-ordinates
Distance to next access
Comments
Bell’s Bridge, Inverleigh-Winchelsea Rd, Inverleigh

S38 º 6.792’
E144 º 3.787’

16.2km

Access from the north bank via dirt track about 200m downstream of Bell’s Bridge
Hamilton Hwy, Murgheboluc

S38 º 6.654’
E144 º 8.459’

8.2km
Steep bank access. Entry via 400m grassed laneway to the north bank behind “please shut the gate” sign opposite Murgheboluc Public Reserve, Hamilton Hwy, Murgheboluc
Pollocksford Rd, Gnarwarre

S38 º 8.627’
E144 º 11.206’

1.8km
Access from the east bank via a rutted track to a small weir about 150m north of the bridge
Dear’s Lane, Stonehaven

S38 º 8.427’
E144 º 14.713’

9.9km
Steep bank access via dirt track from the end of Dear’s Lane, Stonehaven
Merrawarp Rd, Barrabool (Ceres)

S38 º 8.496’
E144 º 15.750’

5.7km
Steep access to the south bank adjacent to the west side of the bridge via rough access track (approx. 200m)
Track off Gully Rd, Ceres

S38 º 8.749’
E144 º 16.081’

640m
Access via shallow bank. Entry via 550m gravel track from Gully Rd, however permission is required
Cnr Cyril Synot Dve and Degoldi’s Rd, Fyansford.

S38 º 8.946’
E144 º 17.995’

5.1km
Access via 200m gravel track to parking area. River entry from concrete-paved slipway or timber deck
Moorabool River west bank, Fyansford Common, Fyansford

S38 º 8.672’
E144 º 18.691’

2.4km
Access to the Moorabool about 450m upstream from the confluence with the Barwon via a paved slipway. Portage of around 150m required from nearest parking
Fyans Park boat ramp, Cnr Gairloch and West Fyans St

S38 º 9.389’
E144 º 19.280’

2.6km
Concrete ramp access adjacent to parking
Marnockvale Rd, Newtown

S38 º 9.893’
E144 º 19.970’

2km
Access via timber deck adjacent to the Geelong Canoe Club facilities
South Geelong

S38 º 9.930’
E144 º 21.261’

1.9km
Access either from the deck at the rowing sheds (north bank) or ramp access from opposite bank (access via Barrabool Rd)
Breakwater
Gun Dog Lane, Breakwater
Upstream
Downstream

S38 º 10.906’
E144 º 21.861’

1.9km*
Upstream access from timber deck adjacent to road bridge (west bank). Downstream access from the west bank below the bridge
Wilson’s Rd, St Alban’s Park

S38 º 12.076’
E144 º 23.140’

3.7km
Access from the bank adjacent to the Geelong Water Ski Club at the end of Wilson’s Rd
Lake Connewarre
Or

S38 º 14.217’
E144 º 25.776’

S38 º 12.927’
E144 º 28.922’

7.4km


(5.2km from Tait’s Point)
Access via concrete-paved boat ramp or pontoon, end of Stacey’s Rd

Shallow bank access via steep track from the end of Brinsmead’s Lane
Barwon Heads
Or
Or

S38 º 15.922’
E144 º 29.795’

S38 º 15.774’
E144 º 30.475’


S38 º 16.884’
E144 º 29.682’








11.2km
Access via boat ramp, River Parade on the west bank


 Boat ramp access from carpark



Beach access from either side of the river at Barwon Heads/Ocean Grove

Of course, there are other locations from which it is possible to launch small craft, however they either do not have close enough vehicle access, are on private property or there is another suitable access point with better facilities nearby. For example, it is possible to launch from the decks near the bridge at Queen's Park, but the boat ramp at Fyans Park is within 1km of the bridge and provides easier access to the river.
River access points plotted o Google Earth. Click to enlarge

The first part of this post can be found at Paddling the Barwon - Part 1Happy paddling everyone!



7 comments:

  1. Hey, Thanks for all of you hard work.
    It is appreciated.
    C

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  2. Thanks for your hard work.
    It is apprreciated.

    C

    ReplyDelete
  3. hello, not sure if you are still active on this blog, just wondering how long it you would think it would take a novice to kayak from barwon heads up to taits point and back?

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    1. Hi! I sure am! Hmmm...it's a while since I've paddled that stretch and I usually do it in one direction only or as part of the full distance from Geelong to Barwon Heads.
      The distance from BH to Tait's Point in one direction is about 12km and I paddle at about 4-6km/hour I think. It is worth considering the tide and weather. Last time I was paddling on the river at BH it was very windy and would have been very slow going had I paddled upriver. Tide may well be an issue too.
      I would also suggest if you are paddling back from Tait's Point that you mark a waypoint with a GPS device so you can find the channel entry as the river splits into lots of little channels where it joins Lake Connewarre. The lake can also be quite shallow in places and the lake floor is quite soft and muddy too which can slow things down.

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    2. Thanks! I think I will paddle down from Taits point to the heads. Sounds like it may be tricky if done at low tide (but may be the only option I have, limited window at the moment between other activities) I will make sure a plan ahead with GPS. Thanks again

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  4. Hi Jo, thanks for all the wonderful info here. You've done an amazing job. I'm looking to organise a bunch of blokes to paddle the Barwon as a fundraiser for Men's Health. I was looking at starting somewhere (no idea where), camping beside the river somewhere after a full days paddling (maybe on someones farm??) then paddling out to Barwon Heads the next day. No idea if this is even possible, could you paddle from outside Geelong to Barwon Heads in a day? I would love some feedback to see if this is even possible or if I could come up with an alternative. I'd love to chat to you about this if at all possible.
    Thanks in advance
    Troy

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    1. Hi Troy, glad the post was helpful. Not sure I can help much with the camping side of it.
      Paddling from Geelong to Barwon Heads in a day is quite possible if you're up for several hours paddling. I have done it on a number of occasions. From memory it's somewhere over 20km. There are a couple of catches however. Normally, I would put my 'yak in at Breakwater (Gundog Lane) however, since I last paddled, the authorities have clamped down on paddling under the aqueduct which is in a rather perilous condition and likely to fall on someone's head. I would think that portage around the aqueduct would be difficult at best (I've never tried it). It is quite long (750m?) and extends well past the river banks on either side and there is fencing etc too.
      My alternative entry point is just outside the gates of the waterski club at the end of Wilson's Rd in Newcomb, however there are no facilities and the bank is steepish. I guess you could ask the club if you could use their landing to put the 'yaks on the water. This will make your trip a few kms shorter than it would be from Breakwater.
      The next difficulty is the lower breakwater which requires portage. I've done it before. Again, there are no facilities, but generally there are gaps in the reeds probably where other paddlers exit/enter on the south bank. The distance between the upper and lower breaks is about 8km, less from Wilson's Rd.
      Below the lower break, the channel is an easy paddle (as is everything between the breaks), however once you enter Lake Connewarre it becomes very shallow and the lake bed is very muddy. I've not yet made it through without some rather mucky wading in the shallowest spots (although it should be possible as seals occasionally make it up to the lower break). I would strongly recommend using Google Earth/Maps or similar and marking your exit channel from the lake prior to departure as there are many little channels on the Barwon Heads side and it is hard to know which is the correct one when you are on the lake (likewise in the other direction if you are returning).
      Once you do find the right channel it is reasonably straightforward paddling from there to Barwon Heads. The only other thing to note is that I generally find that wind can make life hard depending on the weather. Probably paddling with the tides for the river below the lake might make life easier, but I've never bothered. Wind is the biggest factor.
      I hope this helps. Anything else, let me know or shoot me an email: jomitch@ncable.net.au
      Cheers,
      Jo

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