Five great Australian kayaking spots to visit

For a bit of peaceful exercise and the chance to explore waterways and coastlines, nothing beats a paddle in a kayak or canoe. You might have your own inflatable, some way of transporting something more solid or feel like renting a boat or joining an organised tour. Whatever the choice, combine your next Australian road trip away with a paddle.

While Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef gets most of the headlines, WA’s Ningaloo Reef makes more sense for kayakers being within an easy paddle of the shore. The Ningaloo Coast is a protected marine park and the 260km-long coral reef teams with sea life including 500-odd species of fish, sea turtles and the majestic whale shark. If you have your own kayak, the park authorities have detailed maps of launching sites and paddling itineraries with buoys to tether your kayak for easy snorkelling and swimming. Or, join a kayaking tour with an expert local guide.

While the mighty Murray River up at Mildura in Victoria’s north-west teams with water-skiers, speed boats and houseboats, alongside it Kings Billabong is a tranquil wetland area perfect for kayakers. Fringed with reeds and home to pelicans, swans and other water birds, the narrow channel near the Psyche Pumps has a nifty launch ramp that makes entering the water a doddle. Nearby Duck’s Foot Lagoon is smaller but its inlets are fun to explore. BYO kayak, or rent one that will be delivered to your chosen launching place.

Much of Sydney’s beauty comes from its waterfront position and while the famous harbour works for kayakers willing to dodge ferries and other shipping, Pittwater further north makes more sense. Sheltered by the northern beaches peninsula on one side and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park on the other, it can become choppy so head for the estuary at Bayview for a paddle. There are islands and coastal areas accessible only by boat so BYO kayak, rent one from these guys, or Paddlecraft even do half or full-day tours.

Tassie’s East Coast gets plenty of sunshine even if the water can be cool, and the natural beauty of Coles Bay makes for fabulous kayaking adventures. Sheltered by the Freycinet Peninsula, the waters can be quite calm so exploring the bays and beaches is a leisurely activity and The Hazards mountains form a spectacular backdrop. If you’re driving that way we’d recommend a Freycinet Adventures overnight kayak and camping trip which can include a short hike across the peninsular to see the perfect curve of Wineglass Bay on the seaward side.

South Australia’s Coorong National Park is perfectly suited to kayaking. Protected from the ocean by a 140km-odd stretch of beaches and dunes, the waterways are placid and teaming with birdlife including plenty of pelicans. The Lake Alexandrina end closer to Adelaide is busier and outfits such as Canoe the Coorong can show you around for a few hours, or think about taking the four-day kayak and camping trip which goes deep into Storm Boy territory.

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