We would have been one of the many 'no shows', but there was unfinished business with an incomplete exploration of the Mooloolah River. It turned out to be an unexpectedly interesting day with inclement weather.
Three kayaks left under dull skies heading up the river on an incoming tide passing by excessive homes fronted by even more consumptive watercraft. This was soon replaced by mangrove lined muddy banks, maybe not so popular as a high fence screened the view from a new land release. There was the odd cut way - probably to validate the price tag of waterfront living.
As we headed into the Mooloolah River National Park kingfishers darted amongst the overhanging mangroves. The water was unexpectedly clear for the muddy banks. In many places these banks had been severely undercut with very large trees just hanging around for the next flood to make the river potentially impassable.
A mere Km after where we called it quits last time the river widened out. To the left was a weir and the encroachment of urban development. Keep going straight and it starts to get interesting with the river becoming narrow and the vegetation more dense. It is worth getting the tide right for this paddle as it gets very shallow further up yet runs well. The national park abuts farmland and the banks are stirred into mud pits by cattle who were easily spooked. We made it to about 2Km downstream of a weir marked on the map. The river had been blocked by a very large tree, and while we could have ported, it was raining, cold and the mud just didn't look that appealing. Lunch was on the right hand bank heading back downstream above the only sandy beach with just enough room for the boats. Two creeks, both on the left heading downstream are worth a gander. While the second is blocked by a tree, on Google Earth it looks like it
keeps going for a while before widening out.
At the weir is a 400m port to avoid the water hazard associated with adjusting water levels. By now the wind was up and it was a great sail down the lake to the lock. Even if you had a card to release the gates, buckleys chance of using it unless you can stand up in your boat. To the right at the opposite end of the lock is an aluminium slide plate next to concrete stairs. The wind buffeted the boats and care was needed to avoid bashing the boats or going arse over on the slimy concrete. More sailing passed excessive living conditions although the irony of it was that cheaper duplex houses looked at the ritzy ones and vice versa. This paddle was made interesting by the contrasts along the way.
Tip: Plan your trip on a big incoming tide so you can get well up the river
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