Embark on a Multi-day Canoe Trip in Kangaroo Valley

There’s no better way to explore Lake Yarrunga than by canoe or kayak. Located in Kangaroo Valley, the lake features a gorgeous spot for a paddle between the gums.

We acknowledge that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Wodi-Wodi people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

About Lake Yarrunga – Kangaroo Valley

Lake Yarrunga is a picturesque freshwater lake located near the charming village of Kangaroo Valley. Surrounded by stunning mountain ranges, lush greenery, and an abundance of wildlife, the lake provides a serene and tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The crystal-clear waters of the lake offer the perfect setting for a wide range of activities, such as fishing, kayaking, and swimming.

I’m all about the weekender extender! So when work went back at the start of the year I looked into the future and the only logical idea was to take that Monday off between the weekend and ANZAC day.

Bam! A four day weekend! What better way to spend it than 3 days canoeing or kayaking along Lake Yarrunga in the scenic Kangaroo Valley.

Lake Yarrunga History

Lake Yarrunga is a human-made lake that was created in the 1970s when the Tallowa Dam was built. It’s located where the Kangaroo and Shoalhaven rivers meet. For thousands of year before this, the Wodi Wodi people cared for and lived on the lands that are now known as Lake Yarrunga and Kangaroo Valley.

How To Get to Lake Yarrunga

From Sydney take the Old Hume Highway south  and then the Illawarra Highway. This route will take you through the Southern Highlands. From there, l turn onto Moss Vale Road, which will take you through Fitzroy Falls and into Kangaroo Valley. Once you arrive in Kangaroo Valley, follow the signs to Lake Yarrunga, which is located in the Morton National Park. The drive should take around 2.5 to 3 hours.

Skill Level

Beginner

Families, couples and friends with little experience to pros looking for a relaxing paddle.

Distance Covered / Duration

53km/3 days

By paddling from Bendeela to Fossickers Flat and returning to Tallowa Dam we covered 51km.

Bendeela to Beehive Point – 14km

Beehive Point to Tallowa dam – 24km (maths yo)

Tallowa dam to Fossickers Flat – 15km

Essential Gear

• Canoe
• A paddlin’ pal
• Swimmers (if skinny dipping isn’t your thing)
• Overnight camping gear and food
• Water purifier
• Barrels or water proof sacks for essentials
• Map (preferably with marked camp spots)
• PLB

Read more: Canoe Trip Packing List

What It’s Like To Canoe Lake Yarrunga

We departed Sydney early on Saturday morning and arrived at our outfitters base by 7:30 am. After hiring a canoe for two we quickly realised nothing tests your relationship quite like river navigation. Included in our canoe hire were paddles, life jackets (compulsory by law), a barrel each to stow gear, laminated maps, and drop-off and pick-up.

We had packed as we would for a lightweight hike so all our gear and food fit easily into the barrels, then we wedged these in the middle using our specialised aquatic footwear (thongs) to prevent them from rolling around.

My husband suggested we leave our sleeping mats out and use them as butt cushions and by the end of the day. I loved him more than I ever have for that nugget of wisdom.

So we donned our life jackets, grabbed our paddles, and by 8:30 am we had hit the water at Bendeela Recreation Area, bound for Beehive Point.

Day One – Bendeela to Beehive Point

Distance: 14km

The first half of day one is through residential and farmland but you rarely see a house or hear a person. The houses that you do come across are often mapped as landmarks and are a great navigational aid.

The second half of the paddle narrows and you are surrounded by rocky cliffs and tall gums and the view is sensational. By 12:30pm we had arrived at our campsite, one we’d chosen on the south side of the lake that is inaccessible by car to guarantee our privacy and seclusion.

Entering The Drowned Forest

After some lunch and a quick kip, we hopped back in our canoe and headed up a tributary north of our campsite to see a ‘Drowned Forest’.  The Shoalhaven River was dammed in the ’70s causing the level of Lake Yarrunga to rise.

This drowned all of the vegetation on the banks and these days in some parts of the lake, big, old gumtree skeletons rise up out of the lake and create a very eerie atmosphere. I like to call it the Gumtree Graveyard.

Make sure to spend as much time as possible kayaking through the Gumtree Graveyard as it has to be one the best sites in Kangaroo Valley. We were so lucky to have a bit of mist sitting eerily close to the water.

We spent the rest of the afternoon drinking wine on the river bank as a storm passed overhead and skinny dipping as the sunset. Absolute paradise.

Sunset on The River Bank

We spent the rest of the afternoon drinking wine on the river bank as a storm passed overhead and skinny dipping as the sunset. Absolute paradise.

Day two – Beehive Point to Tallowa dam

Distance: 24km

Emerging from our tent early in the morning we were met with low lying cloud veiling the tops of the gumtrees and steam rising from the river. The thought of kayaking through this was indescribable but nothing out of the ordinary for Kangaroo Valley. So of course after packing up we headed to the Gumtree Graveyard to see it rising out of the mist.

Day two was a big one. We spent roughly 5 hrs paddling and covered about 24km all up. From Beehive Point, we paddled all the way to Fossickers Flat in the Shoalhaven Gorge section of Lake Yarrunga. You know you have hit Fossickers Flat as there are small rapids flowing toward you, not passable in a canoe for two.

We had scoped out a nice looking campsite on the way in so paddled back to it and set up for the night. There is no way to access this section of the gorge apart from on the water in a man-powered vessel, so once again we had a totally secluded campsite all to ourselves.

Day three – Tallowa dam to Fossickers Flat

Distance: 15km

After another evening of wine-drinking and skinny-dipping, we awoke to feel refreshed and rested. Another early start and we had covered the 15km back to Tallowa Dam by 10 am.

At this point in time, we had no idea how far we had paddled and were surprised to find a map in the recreation area telling us we had covered at least 53km over the past 3 days, making us feel much better about our aching arms and shoulders.

Alternative Options

We chose to spend three days on Lake Yarrunga although this is not your only option. You could easily flesh out the same paddle with an extra night in the Shoalhaven Gorge section, alternatively, an overnighter into the Shoalhaven Gorge or to Beehive Point from Tallowa Dam is easily done as well.

And finally, practising the ‘Leave No Trace’ camping principles is very important. Lake Yarrunga is a backup water catchment for Sydney and the Illawarra and is full of native wildlife.

I will do this trip again (more than once!) as it was so fantastic. As you are canoeing the extra weight isn’t really a big deal. Instead of eating two-minute noodles and dehydrated meals, I would make the effort to cook up a bit of a feast each night. You can afford to pack a pan and even a little esky for meat and other perishables.

If you are wanting to go kayaking in Kangaroo Valley there’s plenty of rentals available. Check out Kangaroo Valley Kayaks

Canoeing Lake Yarrunga FAQs

Can you swim in Lake Yarrunga? 

You certainly can! The water is cool and refreshing

Can you fish at Lake Yarrunga?

You can only fish at Lake Yarrunga if you hold a current NSW recreational fishing licence

What fish are in Tallowa Dam? 

There are a number of fish in Tallowa Dam which is near Lake Yarrunga. These include Australian Bass, Rainbow Trout, Maquarie Perch and eels.

How far is Lake Yarrunga from Sydney?

Lake Yarrunga is 168km and around 2.5 hours from Sydney.