A kayak or canoe trip down the Murrumbidgee River can be as long or as short as you want it to be. You just might want to do a little bit more forward planning than these guys…

 Highlights

  • Winding river surrounded by beautiful farmland
  • Animal spotting (birds, platypus, friendly livestock)
  • Cool dips in the deeper pools

Paddling The Murrumbidgee River

If there is one thing I learnt from this trip, it’s that although spur of the moment trips and random adventures are great — the best even — sometimes it helps to plan. Even just a little bit.

In our case, hindsight was our chosen method of planning. A friend and I had been working on a farm in Adjungbilly (north west of the Snowy Mountains) and a few times a week we drove across the Murrumbidgee River. The farm owner had always mentioned that you can kayak down it.Kayaking the Murrumbidgee River (NSW), Mike Pidgeon, trees, riverbank, kayak, paddle, sun

Giving It A Go

So one free sunny Saturday we decided to give it a go, loading up the kayaks in a trailer and taking two cars with us. We left one at the bridge that we usually crossed and then picked a spot about 15km up the river where the road came close and we could access the water. We dropped off the car and before we knew it we were in the water drifting downriver with the sound of birds in the air and the occasional moo from a curious bystander on the banks.

Now, this is where the planning comes in. The Murrumbidgee’s flow is controlled by a dam upstream and they change the flow dependant on rainfall and fullness of the dam. It just so happened that today was a day of low flow.

When I say low flow I mean low flow. An afternoon of kayaking was what we were after. An afternoon of dragging our boats across sandbanks and over rogue trees is what we got.

Beautiful day and location, just not the workout we needed or desired! Here are some awesome resources which could make sure you’re better prepared for your attempt!Kayaking the Murrumbidgee River (NSW), Mike Pidgeon, logs, kayaks, paddles

Essential Gear

  • A boat would be good, be it a canoe or kayak. A Stand Up Paddle board could also get down the Murrumbidgee River
  • Swimmers
  • Sunscreen and water

How To Get There

The bridge we went from is about 20 minutes off the Hume Highway towards Adgjungbilly. You could go anywhere along the Murrumbidgee River though.

Activities

  • Swimming
  • Kayaking

Skill Level

Moderate. Dependant on the flow of the river

Distance Covered

We kayaked 15km but you could do more or less if it took your fancy.

 

Row, row, row your boat…

7 Kick-Ass Kayak Adventures On The Sunshine Coast (QLD)

Multi-Day Canoeing Trip in Lake Yarrunga // Kangaroo Valley (NSW)

Kayaking Adventures // Our Top Spots in Victoria

Packing List for a Canoe Adventure

Kayak Lake Cootharaba and Bushwalk Mt Seawah // Noosa (QLD)