OVERVIEW

So ... you're interested in going for a paddle through the renowned Noosa Everglades with your partner, family or a bunch of mates, but you don't have any equipment, you don't know where to start, you don't know the best places to go and you're time-stretched to get organised.

You also want the best value deal around, and you don't want to be messed around with loads of logistics problems.  You also want flexibility in the arrangements with the freedom to go anywhere and to explore whatever most interests you.

Look no further!  This is the trip for you ... a full day to explore the Everglades at your own pace, and all fully packaged and heavily discounted for groups of 2 or more people.  We keep the price down by making these self-guided, but we go all the way to get you there and back, with all the right gear and all the right guidance on what to do and where to go.

We provide all the canoes, kayaks, safety gear, maps, full and detailed briefings, and instruction on paddling techniques and boat handling, and optionally we can drop you right on the doorstep of the Everglades via our water taxi services so you can quickly get started, or get back, and enjoy the day to its fullest.

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Either way, you can do this as a half-day or full-day trip, mindful that the half-day equates to about 5 hours because that's what you will need to make the trip worthwhile - most people do these trips as full day outings.

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All you need to do is get yourself to Boreen Point.  A fantastic and safe day outdoors!

Price depends on duration (half or full-day) the number of people in your group.

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To make these day trips worthwhile you will need a minimum time commitment from arrival until full completion, of 6 hours.  Most people do these explorations of the Noosa Everglades as full day trips, normally returning around 3:30 - 4:30pm depending on the time of year.

These are our PER PERSON rates for Everglades day trips:

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• $55pp for full-day trips, with your choice of canoe or kayak (assuming use of double canoes or double kayaks)

• $50pp for half-day trips (maximum on-water time of 4-5 hours)

• $15pp single kayak supplement*
   

• $10pp for children accompanying the adults in their canoe, to a maximum of 2 kids per canoe

* Note re single kayaks - groups are normally assigned to double canoes or double kayaks (that is, 2 adults per boat).  If you have an odd number of people in your group we will assign one person to a single kayak and they will pay the same per-person hire fee as everyone else.  However, if you specifically request more than one single kayak, a per person supplement will apply to those taking the single kayaks

• Please be aware that these Everglades trips are serious undertakings with around 5-6 hours of paddling time plus stops along the way.  While you don't need to have any previous paddling experience you do need a good general level of fitness.  If you are looking for something less demanding and easier to paddle but still interesting and fun on the same waterway system, please econsider one of our Paddle'N Picnic hires

• For these Everglades trips we encourage early starts in order to help get the best paddling conditions, and thus we aim to meet you here in Boreen Point between 7:00 - 8:00am depending on the time of year.  When you make contact to book for your preferred date you will be informed of the appropriate specific meetup time.  We do open from sunrise so if you'd like to arrive earlier or later, please just talk to us about this

• You have the choice of launching from the lakefront at Boreen Point or, to get the shortest and safest paddling route to the Everglades, the public launching ramp at Elanda Point would be our recommendation

• Either way, we provide you with detailed briefings on where to go and what to see, map reading, navigation and landmark identification, paddling and boat handling techniques and emergency procedures - all intended to help ensure your trip into the Everglades is safe and enjoyable

• If launching from Elanda Point we will initially meet you outside the entrance to the national park - beside the group of four roadside letterboxes located at 81 Lake Flat Road, Boreen Point - where we will provide the pre-departure safety briefing, after which you will follow us in your vehicle to the Elanda Point launch area, just a 4 min drive away, where we will together unload and prepare your boat before you get underway

• If launching from Boreen Point, we'll meet you next to the public boat ramp in Urunga Parade, Boreen Point near it's intersection with Orchard Ave

• Most hires are provided with GPS tracking devices, enabling us to remotely monitor your progress - in the event of any issues we will attempt to advise and assist you

• You may follow our recommended route and timings through the Everglades or vary these to your own interests.  There are opportunities to stop along the way, some toilets are available, and you can indulge in fishing, swimming, bird watching, photography, hiking, bush walks and other activities as you prefer

• At some designated time or location through your trip you will start your return paddle back to the departure point, normally ending the trip around 3-4pm.  You can of course return ealier than this if you wish

• The Kinaba Information Centre, with its static displays, posters and maps offers useful and interesting details about the area. The building itself is made of timber and sits close to the shore elevated on stumps above the water. You can paddle right up to the steps across the front of the building

• An elevated circular walkway through the mangroves is located near to the Information Centre

• The camp ground at Figtree Point, with its jetty, picnic and toilet facilities

• The circular forest walk at Figtree Point

• The smaller Figtree Lake and larger Lake Como - each is completely different and unique

• All parts of Kin Kin Creek and the Upper Noosa River but especially the area within the Everglades known as "The Narrows" with its tannin-stained and highly reflective surface reflections - "The River of Mirrors"

• Harrys Hut campground, with its amenities, plus many other river-front camping spots

• The various walking trails which traverse this area including the walks to Kinaba, Harrys Hut and Camp Site 3

• The 3-4 hour return walk from Camp Site 3 to the impressive Cooloola Sandpatch offering spectacular ocean and hinterland views

• The water taxi trip itself is a highlight, if you have taken this option

It's highly unlikely you will be able to see and experience all of this in a single day, so we always suggest you get the most out of your day by leaving early, which is why we open from sunrise.

• Canoes or kayaks, with paddles (1 or 2 paddlers per boat, plus up to 2 small children accompanying two paddlers)

• All mandatory safety gear including PFDs (buoyancy vests)

• Dry bag for the safe storage of personal items

• Accurate maps

• Detailed explanation on a suggested route to follow and places to stop, map reading, landmarks and emergency procedures

• Instruction on paddling techniques and general boat handling​

• Transfers by our water taxi service between Boreen Point and the Sir Thomas Hillary Information Centre at Kinaba, if this option is taken

We use Canadian-style 2-seat and 3-seat canoes manufactured by Old Town in the USA, with solid back rests on the forward and rear seats.  Our double and single kayaks are the sit-on style and are made in New Zealand by Ocean Kayaks, and have a foot-controlled rudder for easy steering and manoeuvring. 

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Generally speaking:

• Seating structures in canoes tend to be solid and more supportive of the paddlers' backs, and thus to be more comfortable for a day's outing - they are also more raised allowing you to sit with your legs bent as if sitting in a chair

• Canoes tend to better cater for the storage of gear - they have much more space than kayaks and it is all easily accessible

• Canoes tend to offer better protection from small waves and the wash from any passing boats

• Canoes can be used with either single or double bladed paddles while kayaks generally require the double blades, and experienced paddlers can cover more water using double blades

• Kayaks are affected less by the breeze because they have lower sides than canoes - however 90% of the Upper Noosa River is relatively narrow and protected from the breeze so wind is mostly not an issue while on the river

• Our kayaks have a rudder which is controlled using foot pedals by the paddler closest to the stern. This can be an advantage in terms of steering, though manoeuvring canoes by paddles is also easy after you have been given some basic instruction

Overall, the choice usually comes down to a trade-off between comfort and ease of paddling because essentially the seating in canoes is more comfortable and spacious while the kayaks are more efficient through the water and therefore slightly faster to paddle ... but then again, who's in a hurry?