The Yarra Expedition Part 7: Spadoni's Nature Reserve to Lower Romestead Road
Kayaking Expedition
Paddle the path, and journey to the source. These are not metaphors. They are instructions.
The Event Series
This is the seventh event in an expedition to cache along the entire course of the Yarra river. The purpose of this event series is to travel the river from its end to beginning and see it in all its form, its diversity, who it homes, its changes, bends and beauty. The seventh part of the expedition will have us once again hit the water - with a scenic 15km paddle!
The Event PART 7
The event wil be held at the posted coordinates which is a picnic ground at 12noon.The event will run for 30min and be the official lunch break of the paddle. The only way to access the picnic ground is by Kayak - please DO NOT cross the private land to access. As confirmed by Whitehorse Canoe Club - the posted coordinates are a public picnic ground.
The Plan
At 9am we will meet at the Spadoni's Nature Reserve. It is a 200m walk from your car to the river. We can help each other carry our vessels. We will head North along the Yarra river.
At 12noon we will stop for lunch where the official EVENT will take place for 30 minutes.
At 12:30 we will reboard and continue North to Lower Homestead Road.
We aim to be be at the finish trailhead by 4pm. This is an estimate and could be earlier or later.
The Paddle
After the sensational time on the river last event, this next stretch promises beauty, a much longer paddle, and unknown terrain.
As per the notes from Whitehorse Canoe Club:
'From Spadoni's the river widens and the surrounding farmland gives way to attractive forested hills. Vegetation changes from Silver Wattle to kunzea and eucalyptus. The river then enters Yering Gorge which is notable for tree ferns growing at the river's edge. The pumping station marks the half way mark of the trip and also the beginning of several rapids formed by rock ledges across the river. Beyond the rapids, transmission lines cross the river signalling a return to more settled areas.
http://www.whitehorsecanoeclub.com/_download/maps/25_YARRA_RIVER_V1.pdf
Considerations
If you have joined us on previous expeditions, you'll know to expect ANYTHING. You undertake this journey at your own caution - I am venturing forth into these expeditions with you.
This is a longer paddle than last, and we may come across fallen tree's in the water. We however won't have any caches to stop for, nor are the rapids as substantial, so with a downstream flow 15km shouldn't be too hard.
You will need to bring your own Kayak, lifevest, paddle and helmet.
Bring sunscreen, lunch snacks and lots of water! A change of clothes wouldn't go astray either :)