Kommentiert von P.Rösler am 24.03.02, Originaldatei ist http://www.tased.edu.au/tasonline/canoetas/tours.html
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River Tours in Tasmania

Tasmania is richly blessed with rivers, lakes, estuaries and a long coastline which provide many ideal canoeing trips. The wet season is mainly from June to October but unseasonal rainfall is common, especially on the West Coast. This guide provides information on the following more popular canoe trips on the many inland river systems.

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South Esk River Tours .<zu kurz, ignorieren>

The South Esk River system is one of the longest and largest is the state but relies on substantial rainfall in the Eastern half of Tasmania <und das ist schlecht vorherplanbar>. The river starts behind the Ben Lomond range and meets several other rivers in the Fingal valley. The upper reaches are narrow and often overgrown with willows. Most of the river is flat or grade 1 running through farm land with occasional small rapids between long broadwaters. Below Trevallyn Dam the river runs through the famous Cataract Gorge and meets the Tamar river at Launceston. In winter there is always sufficient water in the river for navigation. Water flow can be very high with occasional floods and great care should be take in willow choked sections. The prevailing westerly winds make for hard going on the broadwater sections of the river. The most popular trips are from Evandale to Perth, Longford to Hadspen and Hadspen to Lake Trevallyn.<alle Trips bissl kurz und evtl. zu wenig einsam>

The Macquarie/Lake River is dam fed from Great Lake and runs all year which makes summer flat water trips very popular. The Nile River only flows after heavy rain on Ben Lomond but makes a good grade 2 trip. <Nile River zu schwer>

Trip 1- Avoca to Llewellyn. Distance about 15km. Time 3.5 hours.<zu kurz> A pleasant grade 1 paddle of broadwaters puntuated by grade 1 shingle rapids that is possible most of the year although in dry condition would require lots of portaging. There is one tricky willow-bound section that could provide problems for beginners

Trip 2 - Clarendon to Evandale. Distance 6 km. Time 1.5 hours. .<zu kurz> Flat broadwaters and grade one rapids.

Trip 3 - Evandale to Perth. Distance 6km. Time 1.5 hours. .<zu kurz> Flat broadwaters with "Glendessary Weir" a grade 2+ rapid some 1.5 km from the start. At the end of the trip is the "Perth Mill Weir" (easily shot on the right hand side) and the grade 2 rapids that follow.

Trip 4 - Longford to Hadspen. Distance 10km. Time 2.5 hours. .<zu kurz> The Longford "Mill Dam Weir" 1km down from the caravan park should be portaged by beginners but otherwise the river is flat to Hadspen.

Trip 5 - Hadspen to Trevallyn. Distance 8km. Time 2 hours. .<zu kurz> Apart from the Hadspen old bridge grade 1+ rapid the river is flat but runs through a scenic gorge.

Trip 6 - Cressy to Woolmers (Macquarie/Lake River). Distance 16 km. Time 3.5 hours. .<zu kurz> Get in below the last weir some 1km along the river bank track from the Cressy Rd Bridge. The river is flat and runs through farming country.

Trip 7 - Woolmers to Longford (Macquarie/Lake River). Distance 5km. Time 1.5 hours. .<zu kurz> A popular short beginners paddle suitable for Canadian canoes and children. Exit at the boat ramp in Longford or the "Mill Dam Picnic Ground".

Trip 8 - Englishtown to Deddington (Nile River). Distance 10km. Time 2 hrs. .<zu kurz> A popular grade 2 trip that is only possible after recent rain. There are numerous grade 1 an 2 rapids with some tricky willow-ridden bends. The river is generally very cold.

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North Esk River Tours .<zu kurz bzw zu schwer, ignorieren>

The North Esk River provides some of the best canoeing in Australia but its harder sections are only for experienced canoeists. Arising from the Ben Lomond range the upper reaches near Blessington are flat grade 1 and have been cleared of willows. The upper North Esk can only be paddled in flood and has 16 km of continuous grade 3/4 whitewater. The very popular lower North Esk trip from White Hills to Corra Lynn can be paddled reliably between June and October. Below Corra Linn the river is grade 1 and fairly overgrown with willows.

Trip 1 Blessington Hall Bridge to Musselboro Rd Bridge. Distance 12 km. Time 90 mins. .<zu kurz> This section of grade 1 has recently been dewillowed and runs though flat paddocks with small grade 1 shingle rapids.

Trip 2 Upper North Esk. Distance 16km time 3rs. Grade 3 and 4 plus. .<zu schwer> The river at the start is narrow and willow-bound for 2 kms before the pumphouse weir which should be portaged on the right. One km further on an optional portage over the hill on the river left misses "The Bend" which contains several difficult drops The portage rejoins the river after the confluence with the St Patricks River just before the grade 4 Stromboli rapid. After this is 6 km of continuous grade 3 whitewater before White Hills is reached. An alternative entry is at the Nunarmara bridge on the St Patricks River.

Trip 3 Lower North Esk. Distance 6 km. Time 1.5 hrs. The most popular grade 3 plus .<zu schwer> river trip in Tasmania. The trip starts with frequent grade 1/2 rapids for the first 2 km until the gorge is reached. Here there are frequent grade 3 rapids with suitable names, "Zig-zag", "Bastard", "Horseshoe Falls", "Diagonal Stopper". These precede the 5m "First and Second Drops" which are generally tackled by expert paddlers. After this the river is continuous grade 3 until the exit. This river should only be tackled by competant canoeists and preferably with local paddlers as guides.

Trip 4 Corra Linn to Leonards. Distance 5 km. Time 1.5 hrs. .<zu kurz> A flat and willow infested section of the North Esk, prone to log jams. It can be paddled in Summer but in high water flows can be tricky for beginners especially on two right-hand bends where the flow runs through willows.

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Meander River Tours .<zu kurz, ignorieren>

The Meander River has some excellent canoeing varying from grade 1 to 4 but requires recent rainfall, especially in Summer. As it is undammed any rain falling on the Western Tiers generally results in the river flowing.

Trip 1 Forest Reserve Bridge to Meander Bridge. Distance 10km. Time 2 hours. .<zu kurz> An excellent and scenic river trip but needs recent rains and a river height above .9m at Meander Bridge otherwise the first few kms are nothing more than bolder hopping across shingle grade 1/2 rapids. The gorge contains a few grade 3 rapids and can be difficult at higher levels (above 1.5m)

Trip 2 Meander Bridge to Barretts Bridge ( on Long Plains Rd). Distance 14km. Time 3 hours. .<zu kurz> A popular beginners trip which features two rock garden rapids, one about 1 km from the start and the other 1km from the finish. The rest of the trip 'meanders' through farmland and is generally flat. Recent rain is required.

Trip 3 Porters Rd Bridge (Exton) to Birralee Rd Bridge (Egmont). Distance 8 km. Time 1.5 hours. .<zu kurz> The first 6 km section is flat and meandering until the weir is reached. After this the river gets steeper and is overgrown with tea trees which makes the grade 3 rapids more difficult. Not a trip for the beginner. Needs substantial rain.

Trip 4 Birralee Rd Bridge (Egmont) to Sommerville Farm. Distance 8 km. Time 2 hrs. .<zu kurz> An excellent novice trip with frequent small grade 2 drops for the first 3 km. After this is a 3 km meandering flat paddle to exit on a very sharp right angle bend near a large dead tree, then a short walk over the paddock to the road. Farmer's permission is required.

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Mersey and Forth River Tours .<zu kurz oder zu schwer, ignorieren, aber: Tasmanian Canoe Club ist dort>

The Mersey and Forth River Systems have been extensively dammed for Hydro power generation and as such only flow when these schemes are running. Access to the river is difficult above Lake Rowallan. On the Mersey the section below between Lakes Rowallan and Paragana, the Forestry White Water Reserve is a very popular paddle which contains the wildwater and slalom courses. It generally runs all winter and spring until December but only infrequently during summer. Below Lake Rowallan are some magnificent trips, Echo Vally, Standard Hill and the Alum Cliffs but these only flow after heavy rain and overflow from Parangana Dam and have not been included below. The lower sections of the Mersey again require recent rain but are popular beginners trips.

On the Forth River the upper section avove the Lemonthyne Power station is very scenic and a popular rafting run through the Cradle Mountain National Park. The three dams on the Forth are closely spaced and allow little whitewater between them. Below Paloona Dam is a popular easy trip which includes the Forth slalom and downriver courses.

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Trip 1 Rowallan Dam Bridge to Arm River. Distance 5km. Time 1 hour. Grade 3. .<zu kurz, zu schwer> A very popular trip which starts in the car park at the bridge across the Mersey below Rowallan Dam and finishes the car park just above the Arm River ingress. The river here is continuous grade 2/3.

Trip 2 Arm River to Paragana Dam Camp Site. Distance 4km. Time 1 hour. Grade 2. .<zu kurz, zu schwer> A popular trip for those that find the upper section a little too hard. No nasties but continuous bouncy whitewater with a 20 - 40 min finish on Lake Paragana depending on where you get out.

Trip 3 Roger's Br (sometimes called Kelly's Br) to Dynans Br. Distance 7 km. Grade 2 (easy). Time 2 hrs. .<zu kurz> An excellent beginners trip with numerous shingle rapids and one small drop. The river needs recent rain otherwise it can be scratchy.

Trip 4 Dynans Br to Kimberly Br. Distance 16 km. Time 3 plus hours. .<zu kurz> An excellent beginners trip with numerous shingle rapids and one rapid, Roaring Maggie which unless the river is in flood is quite easily managed by beginners. The river needs recent rain otherwise it can be very scratchy. The lower sections are a little overgrown with willows.

Trip 5 Wolfram Mines Rd to Lemonthyne Power St. Distance 12 km. Time 2 plus hours. .<zu kurz, zu schwer> Very scenic trip but the water can be very cold. There are two major gorges with easy grade 3 rapids intersperced by shingle grade 1 rapids. Needs recent rain to make it worthwhile paddling.

Trip 5 Paloona Dam to Turners Beach. Distance 12 km. Time 2 plus hours. .<kurz> A very popular paddle which flows most of the year. In winter flows of 150 cumecs <???was ist das>>> are common. Usually a grade 1/2 the paddle which is suitable for all beginners. The Tasmanian Canoe Club is based on the river 8 km upstream from the Forth Br.

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Leven River Tours .<zu kurz, ignorieren>

The Leven River has some excellent canoeing for novices on its lower reaches. As yet undammed, the river needs recent rain although is paddleable until November in most years. 0.4 at Bannons Bridge is a minimum level.

Trip 1 Gunns Plains Bridge to Bannons Park. Distance 7km. Time 1.5 hrs. .<zu kurz> The first three km is simple grade 1/2 before the river enters Sugarloaf Gorge where the rapids get harder.

Trip 2 Bannons Park to Foggs Flats (Allison Rd, near North Motton). Distance 9km. Time 2 hrs. .<zu kurz> Several good grade 2/3 rapids at the start of the trip before the Zig-zag rapid about half way. After this the river is quieter until the exit at Fogg's Flats.

Trip 3. Fogg's Flats to Ulverstone. Distance 18km. Time 3.5 hrs. .<zu kurz> Mostly grade 1/2 suitable for novices. The river winds through some scenic wild country.

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Lower Derwent River Tours <max. 2 Tage, Evtl. zu kurz>

The Derwent River is one of Tasmania's largest river systems. It has an extensive number of dams in the upper reaches which allow constant all year flow to provide Hobart's water supply. The lower sections below the last dam, Meadowbank, provide easy paddling for novices in both kayaks and canadians<!!!>. The river is punctuated with occasional grade 1 and 2 rapids and flows through pleasant farmland<wollen wir mehr Wildnis?> to New Norfolk. Rivers flowing into the Derwent such as the Tyenna, Styx and Plenty provide more challenging water for skilled paddlers and only flow after extensive rain.

Trip 1 Meadowbank Dam to Bushy Park. Distance 23 km.Time 3 to 4 hrs. .<Trip 1 bis 3 zusammen 8h = 2 Tage? Evtl. zu kurz> A very popular grade 1/2 novice trip that can be paddled throughout the year. At low levels there are numerous grade 1/2 rapids. Care should be taken with the Strainer rapid (where the river current runs through a fallen tree) and Gretna rapid (close to the Lyell Highway at Gretna)

Trip 2 Bushy Park to Broken Bridge/Plenty Rapid. Distance 14km. Time 2 to 3 hours. Another popular novice trip that can be paddled throughout the year. Care should be taken at Mitchell's rapid (grade 2) where the right-hand channel around the island should be taken. Broken Bridge rapid, one km further on, is a popular slalom training site where the river runs over the remains of the old bridge. The left-hand channel is best. Beware of an old section of bridge some 200m further down and the willow ridden right-hand bend that follows. The Plenty rapid at the finish of the trip can be difficult for novices in high water conditions.

Trip 3 Plenty Rapid to New Norfolk. Distance 5.5km. Time, about an hour. An ideal trip for beginners with small grade 1 rapids but watch out for the jet boat.

Trip 4 National Park to Westerway. Distance 7km. Time 1.5 hours. An enjoyable grade 2/3 .<zu schwer> section of the Tyenna which can only be paddled after recent rain. Watch out for willows and the low bridge at about half way which requires portaging in high water. The remainder of the river after Westerway is a little steeper and contains some willow infested sections, a 1m weir, a very low farmers bridge, another weir and a major rapid, the "Tyenna Cruncher". This section should only be paddled by very competent canoeists.

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Picton and Huon River Tours <unklar ob’s was taugt>

The Picton/Huon Rivers are popular rivers that can be paddled most of the year, although in dry weather the shingle rapids would have to be walked. These are excellent rivers for a 3-4 day camping tour and could be suitable for canadian canoes in lower water <heisst das Niedrigwasser?>.

Trip 1 Bridge to Tahune Bridge. Distance 9km. Time 2 hours. A popular rafting<Trip 1 klingt zu schwer> and canoeing trip for proficient<was heisst das?> paddlers. There are many rock-shelf rapids with one major "Big Drop" rapid, a 1m drop in the gorge near the end of the Picton. After the Picton joins the Huon the river is wide and flat.

Trip 2 Tahune Bridge to Huonville. Distance 38km. Time 8 hours. There are a number of alternative exit points along the Huon as it flows firstly through some beautiful rain forest to Blackfish Creek and then through farmland. There are campsites where Weld River joins at 7km and the Arve River at 11km. 4km below Blackfish Creek is Judbury Falls, a 1m drop, and at Glen Huon there is another long grade 2 rapid. After Judbury Bridge the river is flat to Huonville.

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Arthur and Hellyer River Tours <sehr interessant.>
<genauere Beschreibung z.T. unter River Tours for the Arthur and Hellyer River areas (kommentierte Version)>

The Arthur/Hellyer rivers are an excellent introduction to the West Coast rivers. The 165 km trip from Hellyer Gorge to the Arthur River Heads is an excellent 6 day camping trip and can be paddled by most beginners who can paddle in a strait line. The upper Hellyer above the Hellyer Gorge is much more technical and difficult and can only be paddled after recent rain. Below Takone West the river can be paddled throughout the year although after January will be somewhat scratchy.<engl. “kratzig“, „unausgeglichen“> The river runs in a shallow valley through forestry concessions and the Milkshakes reserve and provides many rain forest vistas.<engl. u.a. “Allee”>. There are plenty of camp sites<supa>.

Trip 1 Cradle Link Rd to Hellyer Gorge. Distance 16km. Time 3 -4 hrs. This is an excellent but long grade three trip<zu schwer> with excellent scenery punctuated by many 1-2m drops. Watch out for logs across the river.

Trip 2 Hellyer Gorge to Blackwells Bridge. Distance 16km Time 3 hrs. Mainly grade 1-2 <gut> rapids running over rocks shelves. The car shuffle is 30 mins <da fehlt Text>

Trip 3 Blackwells Bridge to Takone West Bridge. Distance 17km. Time 3.5 hrs. The first 15 km is grade 1-2 <gut> with a long grade 3 rapid <kann umtragen werden>, the Mouth, at the the end of the trip just before the Takone West bridge.

Trip 4 Takone West Bridge to Meunna Bridge. < “throughout the year” s.o.> . Meunna Bridge find ich nicht auf 1:250000 Landkarte> Distance 11km. Time 2 hours. Mostly flat <gut> with small shingle rapids.

Trip 5 Meunna Bridge to Trowutta Bridge. Distance 37 km. Time 7 hrs. Mostly flat <gut> with shingle rapids.

Trip 6 Trowutta Bridge to Kunnunah Bridge. Distance 30 km. Time 6 hours. A more interesting section of the river as it flows through the Milkshakes Reserve and contains a few grade 2 rapids. This is a popular overnight camping trip for novices. <gut>

Trip 7 Kunnunah Bridge to Arthur Heads Bridge. Distance 50km. Time 10 hours. Shortly after the start the river runs through a 7km gorge with some decent <engl. “nett”> grade 2 rapids. After the gorge the river flattens out and meets the 14km estuary <engl. “Trichtermündung”> to the Arthur River Heads.

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Central Tasmanian Rivers (kommentiert: www.p-roesler.de/kommentiert_Central_Tasmanian_River_Details.htm )

West Coast Rivers (kommentiert: http://www.p-roesler.de/kommentiert_WestCoast.htm )

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