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PADDLE'N PICNIC

With Casual Canoe and Kayak Hire

LAKE COOTHARABA

OVERVIEW

The Upper Noosa River which feeds into Lake Cootharaba forms part of the Noosa Everglades, and is a well regarded area for paddling and exploring.  If you are wanting to do a day or overnight paddling trip to the NOOSA EVERGLADES, please see separate details here.

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Not so well known are the various other routes and destinations available to paddlers on and around Lake Cootharaba which are generally easier to reach, have simpler navigation and can be selected based on prevailing weather conditions, how much time you have and your own specific interests. 

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All the adventures we offer comprise paddling by canoe or kayak plus offer opportunities to stop along the way and take a picnic break (BYO), go for a swim, do a hike, catch a fish and various other activties.  Paddling times vary from just one hour to many hours, with total durations of a couple of hours to full days and even multi-days if you wish, and most routes are family-friendly.  There's lots of route options to chose from including exploring ancient creeks, accessing elusive hiking trails and even picnicing on your own private beach with delightful lakefront swimming.  Yes, overnight lakefront camping is also available.

 

Subject to weather conditions and availability, we have canoes and kayaks available for casual hire on Lake Cootharaba, starting and ending from the lake foreshore area at Boreen Point.

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Please contact us to make an enquiry or to book.

PRICES (A$) - For all Paddle'N Picnic Adventures

These are our PER PERSON casual hire rates, assuming two paddlers per canoe or double kayak:

For children sharing a canoe or kayak with two other paddlers, their price is only $10/day each and a child's paddle & safety vest will be provided

Please note:

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  1. Rates are fully inclusive - there are no hidden extras for a standard hire

  2. These rates do not apply to any hire involving paddling to the Noosa Everglades - for day and overnight Everglades trips please look here

  3. We encourage early departures in order to give you the best paddling conditions - as such, hires commence as early as sunrise, and end around 4:00 - 5:00pm depending on the time of year

  4. The optional motor for canoes is battery powered

  5. Canoe and kayak hire includes paddles and mandatory safety gear including buoyancy vests, plus the loan of a dry bag for storage of your valuables

  6. All hires include a map of our waterway system and detailed briefings on navigation & landmarks, safety and boat handling & operation

  7. You may pay on the day by cash or card or direct transfer to our bank account

AVAILABILITY & LOCATION

  • Paddle'N Picnic canoe and kayak hire is normally available out of Boreen Point every day of the year, subject to weather conditions and other factors

  • Our designated base for these hires is the foreshore area of Lake Cootharaba.  You will see our sign in the parkland area opposite 16 Boreen Parade, Boreen Point, just a short distance south of the Coffee Tribe Cafe.  If you can't find us, give us a call

  • We suggest you book in advance because we may not be operational every day or through the whole day, though if you have last minute arrangements please just contact us to check availability and weather conditions

  • We open from sunrise and encourage early hires as this is when there's generally less wind and therefore calmer paddling conditions

WHERE CAN YOU GO - WHAT CAN YOU SEE & DO

We've devised a wide range of paddling routes and destinations around the Lake, each offering something different and unique.

 

Most routes are family-friendly and range in duration from around 3-4 hours to full days and even multiple days with overnight camping.  See here for full details of the various routes and destinations on offer.

 

So, if you are looking for something to do in the Noosa area that gets you on the water and close to nature, with lots of choice for places to go and things to see and do along the way, please get in touch.

WHAT'S INVOLVED

  • We encourage early starts in order to help you get the best paddling conditions and, as such, open from sunrise

  • Together we'll prepare and load your chosen canoe or kayak

  • Next we provide you with detailed briefings on where to go and what to see, map reading, landmark identification, paddling and boat handling techniques and emergency procedures - all intended to help ensure your paddling adventure is safe and enjoyable

  • 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 remotely advise and assist you

  • We will normally recommend your paddling route, including places to stop through the hire period, based on your specific interests

  • At some designated time or location you will start your return paddle back to the departure point, where we will normally meet you and assist with the unpacking and tidying up

OUR CANOES

We use Canadian style canoes, which are ideally suited to the lakes and rivers in this area, with both 2-seater and 3-seater versions made from three-layer linear polyethylene technology.

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3-seat version, of length 4.9m, weighing approx 39kg

Ideal for day paddling trips for families with kids, or overnight trips with camp gear

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2-seat version, of length 4.4m, weighing approx 33kg

Ideal for day paddling trips or overnight trips with compact camp gear 

OUR KAYAKS

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We only use top-of-the-range Ocean Kayak brand kayaks, as Australia's most popular and successful sit-on-top kayaks and the world's leading sit-on-top brand. These boats are proudly made in New Zealand and since their innovative debut in 1971, Ocean Kayak models are considered amongst the most stable and safest kayaks on the market.

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Pictured above is our double paddler kayak, the "Cabo" model (5.0m), with a seating capacity for two paddlers and a jump-seat passenger.  Pictured below is our single paddler kayak, the "Prowler Ultra 4.3" (4.3m)

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For enhanced ease of use, both the double and single paddler models have rudders controlled by adjustable foot peddles and are lightweight, strong and straight tracking.  Perfect for exploring the local lakes and rivers.

WHAT WE SUPPLY

  • Canoes or kayaks, with paddles (2 or 3 people per canoe)

  • PFDs (bouyancy vests) - mandatory for the kids

  • Accurate maps

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

  • Instruction on paddling techniques and general boat handling​

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING

  • Your picnic basket - food, drink and snacks for the day (at least 2-3L of water per person, for a full day)

  • Consider esky (more practical in canoes)

  • Hat

  • Sunscreen

  • Insect repellant

  • Light, comfortable sunsafe clothing

  • Spray/fleecy jacket - in case of wind or rain

  • Swimming costume & towel

  • Footwear - thongs are OK

  • Camera

  • Mobile phone (just in case)

  • Optionally, fishing gear

CANOE OR KAYAK?

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 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 manouvering 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?

SAFETY

Your comfort and safety are our primary concerns at all times. You need to be aware that all outdoor adventure activities carry an element of risk and that you need to be in reasonable health to partake in a day of outdoor activity. For your information:

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  • As with any on-water activity, weather plays a very significant factor in the level of comfort and safety you can expect during any hire or trip with us, and so we encourage you to check weather forecasts a few days in advance of any booking and to discuss any concerns with us.  Pay particular notice of the expected wind strength and direction through the day noting that wind strength is normally at its lowest in the early mornings and gathers through the day - this is why we mostly recommend early starts for all hires.  Remember, you are free to cancel or postpone any booking with us for any reason and at any time - we are very understanding about these matters

  • The Lake Cootharaba area generally has good mobile reception

  • We have a rescue boat and will come to your assistance if called

  • For most hires we can provide GPS trackers for added safety and convenience, at no cost

  • Our pre-departure briefings will alert you to some other matters of safety and some of the actions you should and should not take on these trips

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Your involvement in any of our trips, tours and hires is subject to our General Terms & Conditions, and any other specific hire agreement we may execute with you.

OurCanoes
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