As kayaking legend Anthony Malloch once said, the Upper Noosa River is a paddle you do once a year. We have continued this tradition and have crossed Lake Cootharaba to paddle up the river at dawn, during the day, at dusk, in fog, at night under a full
moon, a new moon (that was unintentional), in 35knot SE and, on
this occasion, when the lake was a millpond.
This weekend paddle was in conjunction with West End Canoe Club bringing a guarantee of good company with a penchant for eating well and enjoying a few drinks. Having done this trip so many
times we drove to Elanda Point without expecting to launch with
the group. The jam of cars, trailers people and kayaks had made it difficult for anyone to get away so we arrived with plenty of time.
Doing the usual 60 degrees until safely past the deceptive shoal that juts out from Elanda Point, we turned 30 degrees for a beeline to Kinaba. Heading this way and keeping to the channel ensures you will not run into shallow water that makes Lake Cootharaba a wind surfer's nursery.
Regrouping at Kinaba Visitors Centre Tom, Graham, Mark and I decided to detour to find the wreck in Lake Como which marked on the map. The only remanent appeared to be a single rusted metal spear on the northern side soon after the entrance. Either the reeds had engulfed the wreck or there was very little left. We watched a small plane zooming overhead. The way in which it was flying made us wonder if it was Malcolm, however it was a high wing, not low wing like the Rockwell Commander. The end of the lake finished with tall reeds in what looked like soft mud with another 200m to terra firma. Mark disturbed a bevy of black swans. During their unwieldy take off into a squadron their feet slapped the water creating that delicious muffled sound like gloved hands clapping at the opera.
Returning to the river there was evidence of the fun police.
Malloch's landing had been removed from the river as had many overhanging branches. We made plans to ambush and soak Dave as he approached. There was a last minute withdrawal and a casual friendly hello. It was not Dave. That guy had no idea how close he was to being attacked. In the meantime the real Dave was heading downstream to meet up with us, but our paths never crossed as we were in Lake Como when he paddled by.
Pulling in at Harry's Hut we found the West End site
distinguished by a poncy marquee, big tents and plenty of gear. The fun police had really gone to town. Harry's Hut had been divided into certain places to camp, eat and others to walk. And never the three would meet. Anyone camping in a walkway (which looked like a nice place to set up a small tent) would be told to pull up pegs and move on. Nevertheless the area had been thoughtfully divvyed up into small designated camping areas branching of the central communal eating space with tables. All a bit regulated for my liking but then again this is a popular place accessible by 4WD and a relentless stream of hire canoes pushed along by fried Poms and other visitors.
With the tent up and a couple of hours light we went for a walk along the Cooloola Trail heading south to Fig Tree Point. Very pretty with groves of palms and melaleuca swamp. We made just past the top of Lake Como opposite where we pulled up yesterday. Rays' had been on a trip where a group split at Elanda Point,
half walking, the others paddling with the gear to meet up at Harry's Hut to camp then swap places for the return. This would make an excellent weekend away. We turned around in the fading light and had walk the last part along the road.
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