2021 Darling River

Wilcannia to Menindee - 280 kms

Expedition Details

Darling River

Dates: 24-28 May 2021

Distance: 280 kms

Paddlers: 7 participants

Boat Type: 5m plastic sea kayaks

Prijon Marlin, Q-Kayak Shearwater and Penguin & Australis Salamander

Launch Day 1: ///drizzled.earnest.endowments Warrawong

Launch Day 2: 62 kms ///centurion.directs.territory Culpaulin

Launch Day 3: 62 kms ///framework.renderings.respectful Allambie

Launch Day 4: 58 kms ///motors.trickle.tingled Nelia Gaari

Launch Day 5: 41 kms ///groundin.raindrops.memoir Windale

Finish Day 5: 35 kms ///grandstand.pianists.angering Copi Hollows

Expedition Description: This was a remote paddle, in the red dirt country of NSW, following a flood. From Wilcannia to Menindee, there is not much in between except a wonderful floodplain full of wildlife.

What did we learn about expeditions?

Planning: The remote location required a high level of preparation to map the river, nearby stations and airfields. GoogleEarth, What3Words and other website were very useful. Despite the remoteness, a number of exit and assistance points were incorporated into the plan. The hard copy of the plan proved valuable along the way.

Boat Choice: Muddy banks provided significant exit and entry challenges. To improve safety, we rammed our plastic sea kayaks heavily into the banks to find a firm footing. Never would have done this in my Mirage.

Fleet Flow: The consolidation of paddlers into the minimum number of cars, and use of the trailer, ensured the two day drive and shuttle, went off safely. On the water, the 10 minute fleet guide worked well in keeping paddlers together. The daily paddling routine worked well in pacing paddlers progress.

Technology: Again the value of UHF radios were vital in warning and guiding paddlers around a life threatening obstacle on day 5. The satellite phone almost came into play at one stage. The SPOT tracker assisted in bringing together the fleet with the support crew in an isolated outback setting.

Paddler Capabilities: Paddlers only had six weeks preparation and some still required some conditioning. Commitment to the group ensured everyone came home safely. Nelia Gaari proved an important exit point for one paddler suffering a medical condition. In this regard, paddlers with pre-existing medical conditions, should provide a letter from their doctor, to be kept in the float plan, in case of emergency. Medical services in the outback are not like the city.

Risk Management: The nature of expedition leadership as a collective capability was demonstrated on this trip. Leadership is not the role of one person, so as one person pulls out, the expedition does continue.

New Equipment: Stretcher (doubles as a ground sheet), portable soda stream, new defibrillator