Paddle 4:
This is one of those day trips you can do when waiting for a break in the weather for Fraser Island. There is a clearing below the first weir where you could camp although it is hard to say whether it is government or private land.
Heading north, turn left off the main highway opposite the turn off to Howard. Take the first left to follow a dirt road down to the river. At the end the track splits in two with the rougher grassy track to the left having better access to the water. It would be a moot point as to whether you would want to leave your car here overnight.
At this time of the year the waterlilies are out and they are certainly have made themselves well at home. The sun was shining when we left, then it rained, but at least it wasn't windy. The main obstacles are submerged remnants of chainsawn trees. As the river narrows there are a couple of pockets of rainforest before coming up to the weir. The land above the weir was not clear felled before it was flooded. The number of trees combined with a steep port over large rocky steppes make paddling this section unpalatable in a long glass boat.
After having a sticky beak around the weir, we took a look at a creek on the way back. Close to the ramp we received a less than welcoming greeting from a grumpy bass angler. He was rattling on about people like you blocking the ramp. We couldn't make sense of what he was saying, he clearly uptight so it was a matter of letting him have his hissy fit. Turns out this is a popular spot. Several other cars had parked in close after us leaving little room for him to back his trailer.
Parked in the bushes was a chap sitting on the tailgate of his 4WD having a beer. He had a beautiful wooden kayak on his roof. This guy was very friendly (I mean what else would you expect) and another devotee of Kerry Richard's boats and designs. The chatter went on for over an hour with an exchange of paddles before we split to make tracks.
If you are looking for respite from the SE and a place to wash your boat down go for a paddle on this section of the Burrum River.
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