2023 Murray River

Hume Dam to Yarrawonga - 226 kms

Expedition Details

Murray River - Hume Dam to Yarrawonga

Dates: 17-21 April 2023

Distance: 226 kms

Paddlers: 7 participants

Boat Type: 5m fast / light sea kayaks

Epic 18, Mirage 530, 532, 580, 582

Launch Day 1: ///overcoming.obsession.listeners Hume Dam to Richardsons Bend 63 kms

Launch Day 2: ///follow.longbow.navigating Richardsons Bend to Kismet - 38 kms

Launch Day 3: ///staffs.compressed.voucher Kismet Riverside Park to Corowa -  42 kms

Launch Day 4: ///bushy.renovations.oneself Ball Park Lagoon to Jacobs Reserve- 39 kms

Launch Day 5: ///conditioner.dares.thirst Jacobs Reserve to Mulwala - 30 kms

Expedition Description: The Murray River ran very low across this section, with many gravel races and hidden stumps. Accessing the banks become difficult during breaks.  The towns of Howlong, Corowa and Mulwala provided enjoyable evenings. 

What did we learn about expeditions?

Planning: The plan for trip was prepared in early 2020, and sat gathering dust for three years.  The November 2022 floods impacted many of the amenities along the river including beaches, campsite, boat ramps and camp grounds.  Our plan did not include paddling in such low water.

Boat Choice: Our fast light kayaks were perfect for the trip.  Smaller river rudders were required for avoiding gravel races and stumps.  Taping the bottom of the hull would have prevented some of the damage to our boats.  The sets of purple slings (Bunnings) allowed for four people to carry heavy kayaks out of the water, without damaging boats or backs. Short front tow ropes proved very useful.

Fleet Flow: Seven paddlers keeping to a 7.5km/hr speed helped keep the group together.  The numerous obstacles saw the fleet playing follow the leader through races and log.  The defibrillator and satellite phone was carried by one person and not limited to the Tail End Charlie, as upstream paddling was always possible.

Technology: Our mapping lead did a fantastic job in recording the waypoints into the GPS.  Importantly he also mapped the anabranches, so when the river came to a stop, and then flowed into the anabranch, we were able to navigate through a significant deviation to our planned journey.  A SPOT tracker, sending a location signal every 10 minutes, allowed other to follow our journey in relative real time.

Paddler Capabilities: Paddlers kept their fitness since the November 2022 Wallis Lake by targeting one 20 km paddle per week. Paddlers were able to maintain 7.5 km/hr in heavy kayaks across the week, with minimum and low flow.  The inability of some paddlers to pack within their kayaks was noted. 

Risk Management: The remote river location, combined with the age of paddler raises the challenges posed by a medical evacuation.  The defibrillator and satellite phone remain a critical part of risk mitigation strategy.

New Equipment: Mirage repair kits, new tent, gum boots and moon boots for wet campsites.