Pack 'n' Paddle Tour

PLEASE MAKE THE BOOKING DATE FOR DAY 2 OF YOUR TOUR. i.e the canoe day. 

This overnight self-guided tour is popular for those who love to get immersed in nature! Spend Day 1 hiking 13km from Dwellingup to Swamp Oak Hut, breathing in the fresh forest air. Spend the evening toasting marshmallows over a campfire (season dependent), snuggled up in a sleeping bag under the incredible stars of the dark sky. A short walk on Day 2 takes you to the Murray River, where Dwellingup Adventures meet you to swap over your hiking gear with the supplied paddling equipment. Spend the next few hours meandering downstream through long pools, fast-moving channels, and a couple of small rapids along the forest-lined riverbanks. Dwellingup Adventures meet you at the finish point and transfer you back to your vehicle in Dwellingup. 

• Operates daily.
• Starts Day 1: 10.30am. Finishes Day 2: 2.00pm
• Self-guided
• Ages 8+ recommended (Need to be able to hike 13km)
• Basic fitness required.
• Min: 1 Max: 20.
• Tour includes transfers, canoe/s, paddles, pfds and map.
• Customer may hire camping equipment or bring their own.
• Delivery of camp equipment to hut available for extra $80.00.
• Note: More detailed Bibbulmun Track maps can be purchased at Dwellingup Adventures trails shop
• Note: In lower river levels (usually November to March) paddle section is modified and will include short sections of shallow water where you may be required to get out and wade through. 
• Note: Customer must check-in at Dwellingup Adventures before leaving for hike.
  

Day 1 - The Walk

The walk to Swamp Oak hut via the Bibbulmun Track is about 13.1 kms. How long you take depends upon your level of fitness and experience. With a backpack allow 4-5 hours for a leisurely walk with plenty of breaks. Experienced hikers will do it faster. We do supply a map with route notes for your reference. The track is marked but walkers have been lost before. The track departs Dwellingup heading south next to the Dwellingup Primary School. The Bibbulmun Track website is very useful for more in-depth information about the track, huts, recommended hiking gear etc.

Swamp Oak Hut

Swamp Oak Hut is part of the chain of 32 huts that span the length of the 963-kilometer Bibbulmun Track. The hut is a 3-sided shelter with wide tiered platforms used as bunks. The hut has a water tank, pit toilets, picnic table, tent sites and fire pit. The proximity to Dwellingup makes it a popular walk and it is a good idea to take a tent if you prefer a bit more privacy. Take a stove for cooking. While a fire pit is provided, the area is being denuded of ground wood. Insects and little animals need a place to sleep too!

Walk Safety

Footprints of mobile reception are available in the Reserve usually at elevated positions. Reception however will
depend on your phone type and provider. Any emergency egress can be made to a number of roads and hence the importance of having a map. Generally, roads in the Reserve receive steady but light traffic. Far less vehicles use the roads during the week. Dwellingup Adventures is not a medical emergency response agency, and all emergency calls should be made to 000 or 112 if you do not have reception.

Vehicle Security

Dwellingup does not have a high crime rate but you park your vehicle at your own risk. There is usually plenty of parking at the Dwellingup Trails and Visitors Centre. Dwellingup Adventures accepts no responsibility for vehicles. 

 Day 2 - The Paddle

Dwellingup Adventures staff will meet you at Island Pool at 10.00am on day 2. The walk from Swamp Oak Hut to Island Pool is about 1.8km. We will bring out any items you have requested us to bring along with your safety wear, canoe/s and paddles. We take back to our office all that you do not want to take canoeing.

We Supply

One, two or three-person canoes are available. We provide paddles, buoyancy vests, and water sports helmets for high water conditions. A river map showing the section from Yarragil to Nanga Bridge is supplied by Dwellingup Adventures at no cost. 

The Murray River and Baden Powell Water Spout

The canoe leg is 6 kms and concludes at Dwaarlindjirraap (Baden Powell Waterspout). Baden Powell Waterspout is a severe drop that forms a grade 4 rapid in high water and exposed rocky formations in low water. The area is clearly sign posted and to go past it you would need to take the canoe out of the water carry it 300 metres around the water fall past the car park and the sign that indicates Baden Powell. We meet you there at 2pm and return your party and all equipment back to Dwellingup. The canoe leg is suitable for novices and beginners and at low water some portage or at least getting out at the shallow spots is required.

If you go past Baden Powell Waterspout you will see Nanga Bridge. Nanga Bridge is a high single lane wooden traffic bridge with warnings about dangerous rapids ahead. DO NOT PROCEED PAST THIS POINT.

 River Levels

The Murray River is reliant on natural rainfall patterns. Dwellingup Adventures will advise you if the water levels are unsuitable. We have a safety cut off point for high water. Typically, from November to March the river gets quite low in sections. While the river is essentially a series of long deep pools there are shallow sections with exposed logs that require you to pull the canoe over or through during summer.

Canoe Safety

The section from Yarragil to Baden Powell or Island Pool to Baden Powell is generally suitable for novices and beginners. Two roads run parallel to the river, River Road on river right (looking downstream) and Murray Valley Road, river left (looking downstream). River Road will lead you back to your vehicle should you need to walk out. If you are not at Baden Powell Waterspout at the designated pick-up time Dwellingup Adventures staff will travel along River Road to check your location. If you require an emergency phone there are two land lines in the park. Entry Ranger Station: if occupied rangers have a phone. Nanga Bush Camp: a phone box close to the manager’s residence is available for emergency and local calls only at no cost. Both locations are on your map. Emergency services will typically try to get to you. If you can please secure all gear and canoes up from the river and note location. Dwellingup Adventures may be able to assist emergency staff so call 95381127 as well.

Please refer to the excellent Bibbulmun Track website for valuable hiking and specific Bibbulmun Track information.