Angusvale to Final Fling
This section flows through the Mitchell River National Park. It has spectacular scenery, particularly through the Billy Goats Bluff, Den of Nargun area, great rapids and some long pools of flat water. The Mitchell is the last undammed large river in Victoria. There is lots of history both indigenous and non indigenous. The entry point at Angusvale was a dam site. Fortunately the dam wasn't built. From the entry point it is a short paddle, approximately 2 kilometres to the first main rapid, Slalom rapid. If people are having difficulties then this is the point where they can get out and return to the entry point. A track on river right provides access back to Angusvale. Slalom Rapid is a long rapid with an initial drop followed by a number of smaller drops. In higher water the rapid becomes a large wave train. The rapid can be inspected and portaged on river right. After Slalom Rapid there are smaller rapids and long pools until the main rapid of the section is reached, Amphitheatre. Amphitheatre a 3+ rapid at the end of a long pool. Overlooking the rapid is a dramatic escarpment, Billy Goats Bluff. The rapid consists of three parts, the first being the largest. The rapid can be inspected or portages from river left. Safety can be set up from the left bank. There are two further drops. There are rock sieves on river right along the whole length of the rapid. Any swimmers should actively swim to river left to avoid ending up in the sieves. At the end of the third drop there is a large pool. Not far below Amphitheatre there is a great lunch/camping spot of river right. It is approximately 2 hours to the next large rapid at the Den of Nargun. The Den of Nargun is a very important aboriginal site. Approximately 4 kilometres downstream of the Den of Nargun is the old weir site. A weir was build of large bluestone blocks but the force of the water destroyed it. The weir rapid, which consists of many of the bluestone blocks is immediately below the remains of the weir. Not far below the weir rapid there is a good lunch/camping spot on river left. Approximately 3 kilometres on the exit point at Final Fling is reached. The exit point is actually immediately before Final Fling rapid on river right. However it is possible to paddle Final Fling and then walk back up to the exit point on river right. Final Fling is the last good rapid. It is a rather messy rapid but is a good way to finish the trip. It is possible to paddle the whole section in a day, particularly if the river is high. However other options are to paddle over two days, either leaving boats at the Den of Nargun or camping beside the river.