NOOSA EVERGLADES

HALF-DAY & FULL-DAY TRIPS

OVERVIEW

So ... you're interested in going for a paddle through the renowned Noosa Everglades with your partner, family or a bunch of mates, but you don't have any equipment, you don't know where to start, you don't know the best places to go and you're time-stretched to get organised.

You also want the best value deal around, and you don't want to be messed around with loads of logistics problems. You also want flexibility in the arrangements with the freedom to go anywhere and to explore whatever most interests you.

Look no further! This is the trip for you ... a full day to explore the Everglades at your own pace, and all fully packaged and heavily discounted for groups of 2 or more people. We keep the price down by making these self-guided, but we go all the way to get you there and back, with all the right gear and all the right guidance on what to do and where to go.

We provide all the canoes, kayaks, safety gear, maps, full and detailed briefings, and instruction on paddling techniques and boat handling, and optionally we can drop you right on the doorstep of the Everglades via our water taxi services so you can quickly get started, or get back, and enjoy the day to its fullest.

Either way, you can do this as a half-day or full-day trip, mindful that the half-day equates to about 5 hours because that's what you will need to make the trip worthwhile - most people do these trips as full day outings.

All you need to do is get yourself to Boreen Point. A fantastic and safe day outdoors!

PRICES (A$)

Price depends on duration (half or full-day) the number of people in your group.

To make these day trips worthwhile you will need a minimum time commitment from arrival until full completion, of 6 hours. Most people do these explorations of the Noosa Everglades as full day trips, normally returning around 3:30 - 4:30pm depending on the time of year.

These are our PER PERSON rates for Everglades day trips:

$55pp for full-day trips, with your choice of canoe or kayak (assuming use of double canoes or double kayaks)
$50pp for half-day trips (maximum on-water time of 4-5 hours)
$15pp single kayak supplement*
$10pp for children accompanying the adults in their canoe, to a maximum of 2 kids per canoe

* Note re single kayaks - groups are normally assigned to double canoes or double kayaks (that is, 2 adults per boat). If you have an odd number of people in your group we will assign one person to a single kayak and they will pay the same per-person hire fee as everyone else. However, if you specifically request more than one single kayak, a per person supplement will apply to those taking the single kayaks

Enquire or Book

AVAILABILITY

These hires are normally offered daily but are always subject to availability, acceptable weather and various other factors including the occasional national park closure. As such these should be booked in advance – please use our booking request form or contact us directly to discuss and obtain more details and guidance. Hires can usually commence as early as sunrise and end around 4-5pm.

If you are in the area and wish to do something today, give us a call, we'll help you if at all possible.

WHAT'S INVOLVED

We encourage early starts in order to help get the best paddling conditions, and thus we aim to meet you here in Boreen Point at 7am. We do open from sunrise so if you'd like to arrive earlier or later, please just talk to us about this
You have the choice of launching from the lakefront at Boreen Point or, to get the shortest and safest paddling route to the Everglades, the public launching ramp at Elanda Point
Either way, we provide you with detailed briefings on where to go and what to see, map reading, landmark identification, paddling and boat handling techniques and emergency procedures - all intended to help ensure your trip into the Everglades is safe and enjoyable
If launching from Elanda Point we will initially meet you outside the entrance to the national park - beside the group of four letterboxes located at 81 Lake Flat Road, Boreen Point - where we will provide the pre-departure safety briefing, after which you then need to be able to transport your canoe or kayak to the Elanda Point launch area (needing roof racks on your car or borrowing our small trailer for free), just a 3-4 min drive away. See further explanation below
If your group includes 6 or more people we can make canoes and kayaks available for you at Elanda Point
If launching from Boreen Point, we'll meet you next to the public boat ramp in Urunga Parade, Boreen Point near it's intersection with Orchard Ave, and your booked canoe or kayak will be ready to go!
Most hires are provided with GPS tracking devices, enabling us to remotely monitor your progress - in the event of any issues we will attempt to advise and assist you
You may follow our recommended route and timings through the Everglades or vary these to your own interests. There are opportunities to stop along the way, some toilets are available, and you can indulge in fishing, swimming, bird watching, photography, hiking, bush walks and other activities as you prefer
At some designated time or location through your trip you will start your return paddle back to the departure point, where we will normally meet you and assist with the unpacking and tidying up

WHY CAN"T WE TRANSPORT YOUR CANOE OR KAYAK TO THE ELANDA POINT LAUNCH AREA?

In February 2019 the Australian Government formally accepted a Native Title Claim from the Kabi Kabi First Nations People over a large area of land from near Buxton in the north (about 36km south of Gladstone) to Redcliffe in the south, incorporating the Great Sandy National Park including the Upper Noosa River area. We are told that permits normally required by commercial hire operators such as oursleves to access areas of national parks can not be issued by the Queensland Government while the Native Title claim and certain other internal government reviews are underway. Without such a permit we are unable to gain direct access to the Elanda Point canoe launch area.

For more details on the respective Native Title claim, please refer to here.

Please note that:

the general public's access to the Elanda Point launch area is unaffected and unrestricted by the current situation; and
our access to launch you from Boreen Point is also unaffected and unrestricted; and
you also have the option to drive into the Everglades area via Harrys Hut campground and to launch yourselves from there.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Kinaba Information Centre, with its static displays, posters and maps offers useful and interesting details about the area. The building itself is made of timber and sits close to the shore elevated on stumps across the water. Visitors can be bought by boat right up to its steps
An elevated circular walkway through the mangroves near to the Information Centre
The camp ground at Figtree Point, with its jetty, picnic and toilet facilities
The circular forest walk at Figtree Point
The smaller Figtree Lake and larger Lake Como - each is completely different and unique
All parts of Kin Kin Creek and the Upper Noosa River but especially the area within the Everglades known as "The Narrows" with its tannin-stained and highly reflective surface reflections - "The River of Mirrors"
Harrys Hut campground, with its amenities, plus many other river-front camping spots
The various walking trails which traverse this area including the walks to Kinaba, Harrys Hut and Camp Site 3
The 3-4 hour return walk from Camp Site 3 to the impressive Cooloola Sandpatch offering spectacular ocean and hinterland views
The water taxi trip itself is a highlight, if you have taken this option

It's highly unlikely you will be able to see and experience all of this in a single day, so we always suggest you get the most out of your day by leaving early, which is why we open from sunrise.

WHAT WE SUPPLY

Canoes or kayaks, with paddles (2 or 3 people per canoe)
All mandatory safety gear including PFDs (buoyancy vests)
Dry bag for the safe storage of personal items
Transfers by our water taxi service between Boreen Point and the Sir Thomas Hillary Information Centre at Kinaba, if this option is taken
Accurate maps
Detailed explanation on a suggested route to follow and places to stop, map reading, landmarks and emergency procedures
Instruction on paddling techniques and general boat handling

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING

Food, drink and snacks for the day (at least 2-3L of water per person)
Hat
Sunscreen
Insect repellant
Light, comfortable sunsafe clothing
Spray/fleecy jacket, in case of wind or rain
Swimming costume & towel
Footwear - thongs are best for your feet, shoes are not recommended
Camera
Mobile phone (just in case)
Optionally, fishing gear
Cash or card to pay

CANOE OR KAYAK?

We use Canadian-style 2-seat and 3-seat canoes manufactured by Old Town in the USA, with solid back rests on the forward and rear seats. Our double and single kayaks are the sit-on style and are made in New Zealand by Ocean Kayaks, and have a foot-controlled rudder for easy steering and manoeuvring.

Generally speaking:

Seating structures in canoes tend to be solid and more supportive of the paddlers' backs, and thus to be more comfortable for a day's outing - they are also more raised allowing you to sit with your legs bent as if sitting in a chair
Canoes tend to better cater for the storage of gear - they have more space than kayaks and it is all easily accessible
Canoes tend to offer better protection from small waves and the wash from any passing boats
Canoes can be used with either single or double bladed paddles while kayaks generally require the double blades, and experienced paddlers can cover more water using double blades
Kayaks are affected less by the breeze because they have lower sides than canoes - however 90% of the Upper Noosa River is relatively narrow and protected from the breeze so wind is mostly not an issue while on the river
Our kayaks have a rudder which is controlled using foot pedals by the paddler closest to the stern. This can be an advantage in terms of steering, though manoeuvring canoes by paddles is also easy after you have been given some basic instruction

Overall, the choice usually comes down to a trade-off between comfort and ease of paddling because essentially the seating in canoes is more comfortable and spacious while the kayaks are more efficient through the water and therefore slightly faster to paddle ... but then again, who's in a hurry?

SAFETY

Your comfort and safety are our primary concerns at all times. You need to be aware that all outdoor adventure activities carry an element of risk and that you need to be in reasonable health to partake in a day of outdoor activity. For your information:

As with any on-water activity, weather plays a very significant factor in the level of comfort and safety you can expect during any hire or trip with us, and so we encourage you to check weather forecasts a few days in advance of any booking and to discuss any concerns with us. Pay particular notice of the expected wind strength and direction through the day noting that wind strength is normally at its lowest in the early mornings and gathers through the day - this is why we mostly recommend early starts for all hires. Remember, you are free to cancel or postpone any booking with us for any reason and at any time - we are very understanding about these matters
Mobile phones usually work on Lake Cootharaba and the higher hills which fringe this area, but will be intermittent or non-existent on the Noosa River and at most of the camping areas
If ever needed, your best source of immediate assistance on the water is probably any passing commercial tour boat and the general boating public
We have a rescue boat and will come to your assistance if called
General and emergency vehicle access is available into the Harrys Hut camp area
National Park rangers do patrol the area at times - both on the water and at the riverside camp sites
For most hires we can provide GPS trackers for added safety and convenience, at no cost
Our pre-departure briefings will alert you to some other matters of safety and some of the actions you should and should not take on these trips

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Your involvement in any of our trips, tours and hires is subject to our General Terms & Conditions, and any other specific hire agreement we may execute with you.

LAKE ESCAPADES