Ord River Canoeing

see :FollowupID: 675218 Submitted: Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 21:46

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE HERE

.

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.

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
OKA196 Motorhome

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.