Ord River Canoeing

Submitted: Friday, Apr 02, 2010 at 22:27
ThreadID: 77416 Views:4476 Replies:9 FollowUps:5
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Hi
We are thinking about doing a self guided canoeing trip on the Ord River in late June/early July this year. We have seen some basic details on a couple of websites about 3 day trips. We are fit but don't generally do any canoeing/kayaking.
We would love to hear of anyone's experiences on these trips and any advice/feedback or specific recommendations on any of the companies would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your replies

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Reply By: a convict - Friday, Apr 02, 2010 at 22:40

Friday, Apr 02, 2010 at 22:40
see :FollowupID: 675218 Submitted: Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 21:46

'..... lower Ord', has crocks

AnswerID: 411475

Follow Up By: Member - Phil H (NSW) - Friday, Apr 02, 2010 at 22:49

Friday, Apr 02, 2010 at 22:49
....paddle fast!
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FollowupID: 681543

Reply By: Member - John and Val - Friday, Apr 02, 2010 at 23:07

Friday, Apr 02, 2010 at 23:07
When we took a cruise from Kununurra upriver to Lake Argyle we did see a few people in canoes. The water runs rather fast in some sections of the river, so maybe some experience would be required - it is very rugged and remote country, and as well as freshies there could be the occasional saltie in there.

Maybe do a cruise first to get an idea of the conditions before you commit yourselves.

Cheers,

Val
J and V
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AnswerID: 411479

Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Friday, Apr 02, 2010 at 23:18

Friday, Apr 02, 2010 at 23:18
Above the diversion dam is ok.
There are monsters below the dam.
Stumpy lives on the bend - he's about 70 years old and has lost a front leg in a previous fight.
These guys pull in cattle - a little kayak or canoe would be a nice entree
AnswerID: 411483

Reply By: Motherhen - Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 00:04

Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 00:04
Hi Hunt

As Val says, the water is very fast flowing as you get upstream. You also need to make it to specific spots suitable for camping each night. We took the very popular Triple J boat from Kununurra to Lake Argyle and returned by bus. The boat passed a few young tourists (usually from overseas) paddling hard and looking like they were on a torture trial. We did it the easy way and thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Motherhen
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Reply By: Member - Barnesy - Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 00:09

Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 00:09
Make sure it leaves from the argyle dam and goes down towrds Kununurra as trying to paddle upstream may be hard work as the water can flow fast.

Even though they say it's fine above the diversion dam, people swim, there's an active watch for salties and there's a ski club, I have spoken to locals who have seen the odd saltie walking across the road on top of the dam! Don't exclude the possibility of a rare saltie being in those waters.

Having said that there has never been an incident above the dam. It's beautiful country, i took the tinny down there last year and coming from SA I have never seen so much fresh water in my life!

Can't recommend specific companies though, sorry.

Barnesy
AnswerID: 411488

Reply By: Member - Doug T (NT) - Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 00:20

Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 00:20
I remember hearing about a bloke not so long ago who went canoeing on some river up Cape York way, 1 Croc' had a tasty meal.
Image Could Not Be Found

On the other hand...up here in the Top End the crocs give good entertainment.

SEE HERE

.


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AnswerID: 411489

Reply By: Muntoo - Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 01:13

Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 01:13
Hundreds of people use the lake each week for swimming, ski ing, fishing, etc and there has never been an incident with salties. Saying that thought, they have been spotted in there. They do many tours on the canoes and never any probs, just make sure you catch the tour going down stream. Much easier, i myself would prefer just the boat tour or hire a dinghy and have a look yourself at your own rate.

Heaps of redclaw and cherabun available.
AnswerID: 411496

Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 18:29

Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 18:29
Munto,
you say: "Hundreds of people use the lake each week for swimming, ski ing, fishing, etc and there has never been an incident with salties"

do you live in the area ??

Maîneÿ . . .
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FollowupID: 682262

Follow Up By: Muntoo - Saturday, Apr 10, 2010 at 18:16

Saturday, Apr 10, 2010 at 18:16
Yeah, have lived there before, currently away at the moment though.

Your not stalking me are you?

Im getting a little disturbed
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FollowupID: 682419

Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Saturday, Apr 10, 2010 at 19:21

Saturday, Apr 10, 2010 at 19:21
believe me, I'm not stalking you at all

If your getting a "little disturbed" get me some too will you :)

Maîneÿ . . .
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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 11:42

Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 11:42
We bought this trip in canoes as a 25th wedding anniversary gift for my sister & bro-in-law a few years ago.
They had never canoed over night before. They had a ball.

The hire company supply watertight containers for the gear and they have a couple of campsites along the way with facilities.

It is a spectacular trip of about 65km through the gorge and is downstream all the way. We have done it in a tinny a couple of times and camped along the way.

Do it.

Cheers,
Peter
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AnswerID: 411513

Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 11:44

Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 11:44
BTW, it is NOT the lower Ord.
It is below the Argile dam to the Diversion dam at kununurra.

Cheers,
Peter.
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FollowupID: 681584

Reply By: bgreeni - Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 12:48

Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 12:48
Did the return trip in a tinnie in the late 60"s when I was working in Kununurra on the main dam construction.

In those days it was very remote. Fantastic scenery. Must get up there one day again.
AnswerID: 411522

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