Solo Packrafting the Shoalhaven River from source to sea - Section 1: Headwaters to Big Hole

Packrafting the Shoalhaven River from source to sea - Section 1: Headwaters to Big Hole

Raft: Alpacka Raft: https://alnk.to/7qdIWtR

SECTION 1

The headwaters to Big hole (Berlang campground).

I did this adventure solo a few years back (before the fires)
This section was made a little difficult as I didn’t have a 4wd vehicle to drop me near the headwaters so there was a long hike in. I also made the mistake of underestimating the cold temperatures and while my sleeping bag was great my air mattress did not have a great enough R value.

DAYS: 3

Transport: dropped and picked up by Georgia.

Hike start: https://goo.gl/maps/uGxRKXJYXmCzWyq86

Entry: https://goo.gl/maps/VGKZ9kyWzxVUqFsw6

Exit: https://goo.gl/maps/dUPLKTbTqrR9FmjA6


BACKGROUND

Come for a paddle in the Australian wilderness,

A bit of a different format, today I’m packrafting the Shoalhaven River from source to sea, this is about a 330km journey with sections of tall trees with beautiful sandy banks, deep river gorges, remote class 4 rapids, degraded farmland and parts where the river is complete overgrown by tea tree and blackberries.

The Shoalhaven is a truly magnificent river that has its headwaters South of Canberra near the town of Braidwood. It flows north across Yuin Country through spectacular and remote gorges, before taking an epic sweeping turn to the east as it heads for the pacific ocean. Near the coast it joins up with Dharawal County.

This river has some large and dangerous rapids on it up to to class 4. As I have limited skills I portage anything above a grade 2. I’m doing this more as a paddling camping adventure, exploring a beautiful remote Australian river rather than an extreme sports adventure. People have died on the river so I have chosen to take my time and do it at a slower pace and really take time getting to know the different parts of the river.

I made every attempt not to trespass on private property – and if I did I am sorry and it was completely unintentional.

I’m breaking up my adventure into various sections ranging from 1 day to 6 days. I really enjoyed overnight wild camping on remote sandy river flats in the NSW bush.

I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of County throughout Australia. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and future.

There is a wealth of knowledge on river rafting on the waterwaysguide.org.au, including suitable water levels for rafting (I went at low water for most of my trips).

UPSTREAM OF KRAWAREE http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/map/...
KRAWAREE TO BALLALABA BRIDGE http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/map/...
BALLALABA BRIDGE TO FARRINGDON http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/map/...
FERRINGDON CROSSING TO BOMBAY CROSSING http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/map/...
BOMBAY CROSSING TO WARRI BRIDGE http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/map/...
WARRI BRIDGE TO LARBERT http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/map/...
LARBERT TO CHARLEYONG http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/map/...
CHARLEYONG TO OALLEN FORD http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/map/...
OALLEN FORD TO TALLOWA DAM http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/map/...
HORSESHOE TO BUNGONIA http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/map/...
TALLOWA DAM http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/map/...
TALLOWA DAM TO FOSSICKERS FLAT & RETURN http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/map/...
ILLAROO TO NOWRA http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/map/...
NOWRA TO SHOALHAVEN HEADS http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/map/...

Thanks for watching.

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NOTE: All equipment was purchased with my own money. I am not sponsored.

For details on my hiking gear: http://www.australianhiking.com/gear

Contact information

Personal website: http://www.kategrarock.com/
Instagram:   / kategrarock  
twitter:   / kategrarock  

Music

Take to the Sky - by Joshua Wellington

Video fly though with the help of Relive