Lobster Beach from Ettalong

LOCATION: ETTALONG TO LOBSTER BEACH
LENGTH: ~4km (2km each way)

This is a relatively short paddle that I thought of while swimming at Ocean Beach (between Umina and Ettalong) which looks across to Lobster Beach. You can hike to Lobster Beach but it's a steep walk and it struck me how easy it would be to reach by kayak.

HAZARDS: This waterway is busy and is subject to strong tidal flows and is exposed to southerly winds. Check the forecast winds and tides (though figuring out the tides can be tricky for this stretch of water). The path shown first crosses the channel then follows the deeper part of the channel around to Lobster beach. This channel is the main thoroughfare for ALL large boats going in and out of Brisbane Water from Broken Bay so it can get quite busy. You may also see lots of fast jet skis although there are speed restrictions in certain areas. Keep clear of the main path as much as possible and make sure you are seen!

We launched one street along from the ferry wharf at Ettalong. You could probably launch at the wharf itself, or further along there's another boat wharf, but there are plenty of launch options depending on how long you want the trip to be. One issue in summer is parking in the streets near the water which can be competitive!

After crossing the main channel we kept pretty close to shore. This meant we were mostly out of the way of the traffic but it also made the trip quite scenic. You can get much closer to the shore in a kayak than the boats can.

Around the point we could see our destination ahead ...

And then reached it.

You can swim here and there's a toilet. It was a really hot day so the swim and the shady bits were good.

Heading back we stayed even closer to the shore and saw all this beautiful bright green sea grass and lots of little fish.

Another option for the return leg would be to go across to Ettalong beach. There are also sand banks that you can stop at if the tide is right.

Erina Creek

LOCATION: ERINA CREEK
LENGTH: 7.5km (3.75km each way)

This paddle is close to home for us and starts running parallel to a very busy road that we travel daily. It gets a bit more interesting and enjoyable when it veers away from the road and behind some shops and houses, giving an interestingly different perspective on this commercial area.

We launched at the boat ramp and jetty near the famous Punt Bridge. High tide is best for this paddle.

The water was glassy but murky after recent rain.

A surprising amount of bird life was around including these guys.
"Once I caught a fish this big!" ...

We also saw a couple of crocs!

There's the busy road, Central Coast Highway a.k.a. The Entrance Road

Some crab-hunters ...

This property fronts the busy road and backs onto the creek.

Quiter now ...

and behind the shops

now approaching the "Sunken Monkey Hotel" nee "The Woodport". This area was called "Woodport" from the earliest of times of European settlement as ships came up the creek to load timber here.

Kayaking provides many opportunities to reflect on your life.

And we reflected on this beautiful (Ribbon Gum?) tree

Approaching the Barralong Road bridge ...

... and from the other side ...

... and past some houses with impressive water frontages and "Private property - Keep out!" signs to match.

This is an alternate launch point near the upper reaches of the creek .. Hammersmith Road I think ...

Getting near the end ...

The end ... well if there weren't a gazillion logs across the way it would be possible to go further, even perhaps under the highway??

Heading back now ...

Destination in sight.

Long Island - Hawkesbury River

LOCATION: LONG ISLAND - HAWKESBURY RIVER
LENGTH: 4.4

This trip goes around Long Island on the Hawkesbury River, passing under the rail bridge with nice sandstone scenery. Due to one of our group recovering from recent back surgery! we only did half of the loop, starting at Hawkesbury River Marina and ending at Brooklyn Marina (I think).
It would be possible go right around the island except that the train track cuts off the water completely, so you either need to carry your boat(s) over the pedestrian bridge at the station if that's your start/finish point, OR organise a car shuffle between one of several start and end points.

Apart from deciding where to start and finish the tide presents a tricky aspect to this paddle. If the tide is low then the water on the western side of the train track and on the south side of the island has a lot of mud flats which would make it unsuitable for start or finish. Also, the main part of the river is tidal and will run upstream or downstream accordingly. It's best to check tides and winds to take advantage of both rather that fighting against one or both of these.

Car parking can also be difficult on weekends. There are places to eat at the marina or in the town but these also get busy on weekends.

We decided to start on a rising tide at Hawkesbury Marina on the east of the train tracks, i.e. at the marina. This meant that for the tide we had to paddle in the afternoon rather than our preferred morning. Although we faced a headwind and some chop at first, once we turned the corner and went under the rail bridge we were running with the tidal current and had a tail wind, so it was very easy paddling though still choppy.

We started at Hawkesbury Marina (A), but it should be possible to start at Parsley Bay (F) with perhaps better parking and access to the water. Point (G) might also be possible as it seems you can drive out along next to the tracks (??). We left one car at a commercial marina (B) but should probably have done so at Kangaroo Point (F) which has better access but limited parking. For an almost full loop there's a boat ramp at Baden Powell Ave (D) but again limited parking and if using this point, make sure the tide will be high when you get there. As mentioned you could also finish back at the station (E) as long as you're confident you can portage your boat(s) over the pedestrian bridge, and this location also needs a high tide unless you want to walk through mud :-)

If you're feeling energetic, you could add a loop around Dangar Island or just do this as a separate trip, but the shortest distance across is around 280m so you'll definitely be in the range of using life jackets to be legal.

This as our start point, a rocky little rampy thing. I'm not sure how long access like this will be available due to the works going on there.

 One of our party appears to be being seasick only 10m from the start!

Last fuel before river!

Up along side the train track and into some chop and a headwind, Dangar Island on the right. My feet feature strongly as usual.

 Around the corner finally getting into the tidal current and tail wind.

 This is the rail bridge and you don't have to wait long to see a train.

 The old bridge pylons on the right.

 Just past the bridge there are two of what we assumed to be false starts for excavation.

 A train!

 Heading west along the island's north shore.

 Nice redgums!

 The trains look like toys by now.

 There are lots of beautifully weathered sandstone boulders.

 There is this little beach, though as the signs say the island is off limits except by arrangement.

 We had a quick stretch anyway just on the sand.

Now approaching the freeway bridge near the western end of the island.

See ... plane!

Straight ahead is Kangaroo Point.

 Heading to our end point.

 The Mary Celeste!