Fossicker’s Flat Paddle

Paddler Level:	Novice
Distance:	26 km (return)
Duration:	2 Days (about six hours of paddling all up)
Topo Maps:	Burrier (8928-2N), Caoura (8928-3N)

If you’d like to really get away from it all and enjoy some peace and solitude in a beautiful part of the country, this is the paddle for you! Fossicker’s flat is located in Moreton National Park, reachable only by an easy paddle, or difficult hike. This section of the Shoalhaven River is also under the control of the Sydney Catchment Authority, so no powerboats are permitted on the river.

The river gently makes it’s way from Fossicker’s Flat down to Tallowa Dam in a wide, meandering path through the steep cliffs of Shoalhaven Gorge, permitting some excellent views; on a still day the water reflects the visage of the high cliff tops, giving the impression of flying through the valley.

It’s a nice, easy paddle which makes a great introduction to kayaking for novices, and still provides a fantastic experience for more experienced paddlers. A further bonus is the ability to hire kayaks and canoes from Kangaroo Valley Safaris, which makes it even easier for novices who don’t own a kayak.

Put In

The put in for this paddle is at Tallowa Dam, near the township of Kangaroo Valley. From Kangaroo Valley, turn up the Tallowa Dam Road (follow the signs to the golf course) and follow it to the end. Tallowa Dam is right at the end of this road, the trip takes approximately half an hour.

There are some excellent camping facilities at Tallowa Dam, with a grassed camping area for tents, electric barbecues, and a toilet block; travellers from farther afield, such as Canberra or Sydney may elect to camp overnight the night before, rather than get up incredibly early to get onto the river at a reasonable time.

The dam has plenty of carparking, and there is the choice of a boat ramp, or nice flat bank to load the kayaks.

The Paddle

Fossicker’s Flat lies approximately 13km south-west of the carpark (left as you leave the bank!); so cross the wide section of the river towards the north-west branch (the north east branch will take you to Beehive Point and Bendeela.

Be careful paddling this section of the dam, and pay attention to the line of marker buoys indicating the dam wall-when the river is full, it’s very difficult to discern the top of the dam, and paddling over that is not advisable unless you’re also set up for base-jumping.

As the paddle is mainly through Shoalhaven Gorge, and for most of the time the river is surrounded by steep, high mountains, it’s a good idea to try to get on the water as close to the middle of the day as possible. The paddle takes approximately two to three hours, depending on paddling speed, so it’s a good idea to try to be on the water by about 10:30. The sun doesn’t spend much time on the water due to the mountains, and it does tend to cool down fairly rapidly, so generally speaking it’s much more comfortable to paddle when it’s out (though this wouldn’t apply in the height of summer!)

From the dam, the river meanders around, and things out somewhat turning more towards the west, before turning again to the south-west. The “Ghost Forest” starts approximately two kilometres into the trip. This whole section of the river was flooded when Tallowa Dam was installed as part of the Snowy Mountains River scheme, and the dead trees stand on the sides of the river as a silent reminders of the bushland that was; their leaves have long given way leaving bare branches which make a resting place for various birdlife and the occasional lizard.

Shoalhaven Gorge starts around the same time, providing spectacular scenery of the steep mountains rising from the river, heavily forested which clears to the tall cliff faces atop the mountains, staring out like huge, golden walls encasing the gorge. These cliffs are truly inspiring (and tempting to climb!) an observant paddler could see many nooks and crannies in the cliffs, and the occasional waterfall (okay trickle, or stain on the rock where a waterfall used to be).

And, if the scenery isn’t enough to keep a paddler occupied, there are the trees on the edge of the river, which can make for an excellent slalom course (I’m looking at paddlers with ocean kayaks - it’s an excellent opportunity to practice lean turns). There are, however, a few submerged obstacles, such as branches around these trees, so take care!

The river will bend more towards the west, followed by another south-west drop where the mountains subside briefly around the six kilometre mark, which provides an excellent opportunity for a half-way break and landing; there are only a few good, flat spots to land here, so it’s best to take advantage of them as soon as they become visible (if you feel like a break, that is!) There are some nice little areas there to stop for lunch though.

From this section the river starts back on a south-west course, and the mountains rise steep and close to the banks once more; there is virtually nowhere to easily land a kayak between this point and Fossicker’s Flat, though the scenery is breathtaking, at some points the rock falls all the way to the river. This is more undisturbed country, where a keen paddler may spot lizards, birds and even the occasional mountain goat walking up some of those sheer rock walls (without any of that flash climbing equipment!)

The river will turn on a more due westerly-course around the 12km mark; this marks the area where paddlers should start looking for campsites. There are quite a few areas of flat land where camp can be set up; but you have to look for it! Chances are if there’s a beach, there will be some flat ground behind it.

The campsites are entirely natural campsites, with no facilities whatsoever, so hopefully you’ve remembered to at least bring a shovel! Once again, it gets dark quite quickly around the river, so it’s better to set up camp before exploring too much (and it’s a good idea to find all the stinging nettle in the daylight!) Though it’s definitely worth having a look around once you’ve set up. Bear in mind also that it can get quite cold near the river at night, so it’s a good idea to bring some nice, warm clothes!

Fossicker’s Flat is a fairly popular camping area (it’s rarely crowded, but campers are a regular feature), which means some of the locals have grown quite accustomed to campers-possums and goannas in particular. Ensure food is secured during the day, as goannas will try to nick it (even if you leave it in your tent) and the possums will come calling at night.

Depending on the time of year, you may also be treated to quite a fireworks show at night as glowbugs wake from their slumber and fly down towards the river. They can fly along in a line, like a big string of light, heading down towards the river. It’s an amazing sight for a weary paddler!

The return trip is just the reverse of the trip up, however, again, it’s a wise idea to try to leave relatively early. Often there can be a bit of a headwind that builds up through the gorge, which can become quite strong in the last two kilometres or so of the paddle back to the dam. It’s nothing dangerous, but may well detract from the paddling experience (particularly for novices).

Coffee and pies can be had at the “World’s Best Pies” shop just up the road from Hamdpen Cottage, or weary paddlers can venture in to the township of Kangaroo Valley for something more substantial before heading home.

Gear Lists

There are no facilities at Beehive Point; so you‘ll have to bring in whatever you need for the camp (and carry out all of your rubbish). It’s a wise idea to not even leave food scraps behind, as it will encourage possums and goannas to hang around the campsite.

The following lists are not exhausive, and represent only a minimum of gear to bring.

Kayak Gear

Kayak	Paddle	Tow line/rope
PFD	Pump	Water bottle
Towel	Dry clothes	Paddle munchies

Remember to bag all of the gear you pack in a kayak; water can get in, even on an easy river trip.

Camping Gear

Tent	Sleeping Bag	Sleeping Mat
Pots/Cooking gear	Stove/Cooker	Mess Kit
Clothes (incl. warm stuff)	Strong garbage bags	Cups
Billy	Toilet paper & shovel	Firelighters/matches

Food

Water (at least 3L per day)	Paddle Munchies	Night dinner
Lunch (both days)	Tea & Coffee	Brekky