3 DAY CANOE SAFARI!
The following is some information to help you prepare for your 3 Day Canoeing
Adventure.
1. Equipment
The afternoon before the tour you will receive 1 x Lge Storage Barrel, 1 x
Small storage Barrel & 1 x Esky for 2 people to share (per canoe).
When packing, use the big barrel for things you wont need until the end of
each day. Items such as sleeping bag, change of clothes, (a jumper is recommended
between May & September due to cold nights), toiletries, tinned or packet
food that does not need to be chilled, even some spare beers for when you
've finished the ones in your icebox!
Use the small barrel to pack gear in that you will want to access on a regular
basis. Items such as camera, spare film, hat, sunscreen, smokes, snacks &
insect repellent etc. You will be able to access the items in the small barrel
as you paddle downstream.
The big barrel will be lying down in your canoe & will be difficult to
get into without stopping & unpacking.
Pack your icebox (esky) leaving enough space for a block of ice which you
will be able to purchase in the morning, when we stop at the service station.
You are buying food for 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners plus snacks &
munchies etc. When buying beers, make sure you buy cans. They are lighter
than bottles, crush up smaller & wont leave broken glass at camp-sites.
You need to transport all rubbish with you. We will dispose for you, when
you return.
If a group of you are going, then you will have more than 1 esky. So maybe
you can put food in 1 & beers, etc in the other.
Where possible, we will introduce people who are going on the same day, as
you may wish to cook together and therefore shop together to save money. Maybe
separate lunch & breakfast but a combined dinner at each camp-site. Completely
up to you.
2. Camping Kit
Your camping kit which we supply will contain the following :- 1 x Lge pot,
1 x deep dish fry-pan, 1 x gas bottle, 1 x single burner gas cooker, 1 x billy
can with lid, Tongs, Can opener, egg-flip, sharp knife, 2 plates, 2 bowls,
2 cups, 2 knives, 2 forks, 2 spoons, 2 stubby holders for your beers, 1 x
roll of toilet paper, 3 x candles, potato peeler, tea-towel, scourer X piece
of wet & dry sand-paper for cleaning pots as we don't use detergents,
1 x box of mozzie coils, 1 x matches & a rubbish bag.
We will also supply you with a mozzie dome that fits 2 people & 2 swags
(bed-rolls).
Everything will be packed into your canoe. So even in the event of a capsize,
you will not lose any of your equipment.
Should you wish to have a single dome please let us know the evening before
your trip.
3. Safety Bucket
Consists of spare rope, the bucket itself for collecting or bailing water,
a wedge of foam for removing water from inside the canoe & 2 fishing lines.
If you are a keen fisher person then you may wish to purchase extra hooks
& sinkers just in case you lose some.
* How fast is the River? - The Upper Ord River is a grade 1 river (ideal for
beginners & novices). There is a good flow to ASSIST you for the first
18-20 km's, then it will slow down as it reaches the water held back by the
dam in Kununurra. We say ASSIST as you will have to maintain your paddling
for worthwhile speed.
* Distances? - Total distance is 53km's - 1st day 25km's, 2nd day is a nice
lazy day of only 13km's & 15km's to get you home on the 3rd day.
* Speed? - The average paddling speed is approx 5km's per hour.
* Water?
- We will supply each canoe with a 10ltr water container & show you on
the map where creeks which flow with good clean water all year round are located..
There is really no need to go thirsty as you are paddling on water which is
perfectly drinkable.
* Campsites?- Are "Bush comfortable",
consisting of table & seats, roof over eating area, permanent fire place,
sleeping areas to erect mozzie domes & a bush loo (toilet). Please do
not go behind tree & leave toilet paper around.
* Capsizes? - Are not a regular thing
yet it can happen. For safety we will explain the process on your way to the
river.
* Crocodiles? - There are harmless fresh
water croc's in the river, which you may see as you paddle along. The Upper
Ord River is a crocodile control zone. This means that if anyone even thinks
they have spotted a Saltie, then by law the people from the Dept. of Conservation
& Land management must investigate, catch & relocate to another River
or the Croc Farm. There has been no Saltwater Crocodile attacks on the Ord
River between the 2 days since Kununurra was 1st built. About 41 years. If
a Saltie was old enough to be a threat to humans then it would be be territorial
and patrol the surface of the water. It would be spotted by Tour operators,
Local Fisherman etc, & would be removed. We would not operate this tour
if there was a threat to your life !! We have been doing this for more than
6 years & everyone comes home !!
* Luggage storage? - You can leave backpacks
in storage room before we go & we can also look after valuables for you.
* Should you take cash? - You'll need
somefor the ice in the morning & maybe a drink. On the 3rd day you will
get to Zebra Rock Gallery where you may wish to purchase a drink, slice of
cake or Zebra Rock souvenier.
* Mozzies? - We provide a Mozzie Dome
to sleep under & mozzie coils in the camping kit. You need to bring a
good personal repellent & you shouldn't have any problems. You are camping
by a River so expect some to be around at Dusk & Dawn. A long sleeve shirt
is a good idea for this time. It will also help protect against sunburn when
paddling.
* Hat & Glasses? - Protect yourself
from the sun!
* Extras? - Take your torch & Swiss
Army knife
* First Aid kit & Medicines? - If you require medication, then take it.
If you've got a first Aid kit, take that as well.
* Drink, Drink, Drink - There is no reason
for anyone dehydrating as you have plenty of water around you. If you're enjoying
a few Beers in the sun, then try & remember to have a cup or 2 of water
between cans.
* Shopping - Tuckerbox is open everyday
- 6am to 8pm & Coles supermarket is open from 5am to 10pm everday also.
The BP on Messmate Way (Greyhound stop) is open 24 hrs if you need.
* Alcohol - Buy it the night before as
we have nowhere to buy it on the morning of the tour. Four litre casks of
wine are unavailable on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
* Any last questions? - If you have any
questions that we have not covered here, then please feel free to come to
the office to discuss. Or if you are not staying at Kununurra Backpackers
then call us on 1800 641 998.
* Arrival & Departure times - We'll
leave at 6am (meet at 5.45am to load gear on the bus. Pick ups elsewhere around
town will be arranged when booking. You'll arrive back when you choose to
paddle in. Please be back before nightfall.
* Travel Insurance - We recommend insurance
as we take no responsibility for loss or damage to personal items, as we're
not there to insure that barrel lids have been attached securely after each
use. Keep your gear in the barrels & keep the lids on.
* Life Jackets - Please keep it on. If
you take it off & lose it, then we have to charge replacement fee of $90.00.
We don't like to do it, but we will have to.