All distances mentioned are taken from the put in point which is 2km up Paddys River from its confluence with the Wollondilly. There are a few small "rapids" in this stretch and the trees, fences and sharp rocks which form the bed must be taken into account. For the next 10km along the Wollondilly there are only grade 1 and 2 rapids although the river runs through a stand of trees in places which could prove hazardous in high water. For the next kilometre, the river drops sharply in a series of bouldery grade 3 to 5 rapids, some of which need portaging. At 14km, the river splits for a short stretch with the best run being on the right hand side. From here on the gorge deepens considerably and the scenery is spectacular. At 17km there is an interesting slide with a tricky approach. This can be shot except when the river is high, as the water rushes into a rock wall across a pool at the bottom of the slide. The outlet of this pool is narrow and tricky and can be portaged over the rocks on the right in low water. The river at this stage runs through a narrow gorge, with high walls of granite and numerous balancing rocks adding to the splendour of the area. At the next pool there is an excellent campsite on the right (Map Ref. 328768 Canyonleigh). For the next 2.5km there are almost continuous grade 2 to 4 rapids and one possible portage. At 21 km two waterfalls are encountered (6m and 2.5m) within a cavernous gorge, both being best portaged on the left. There is a wide pool between the falls. There are rocks at the bottom of the 6m fall, but the second fall is a clean, yet powerful, shoot. Campsites are generally poor from here to the Tarlo junction with the exception of a good site between 25km and 26km on the left. Camping just above the Tarlo junction (on the right) is also possible. Between 23km and the junction (at 27km) there are many rapids, mostly up to grade 3 standard, but one (just past 24km) is a long, bouldery grade 5 (on the right bank) with a total drop of about 10m. At the Tarlo junction, the river changes dramatically as it passes through a belt of granite forming a miniature canyon. For the next 1.5km the river passes around tight churning bends with strong upwellings of solid water, down wild rapids and over falls, which make some of this stretch a mandatory portage. The first portage is around a 3m fall just before the Tarlo comes in on the left. There are a number of possibilities for negotiating this stretch. Firstly, pull out on the boulders on the left of the fall and inspect the fall and the rapid below, where the main channel curves to the right of the river. The fall can be portaged over these boulders on the left and then the rapid below shot if there is sufficient water. It is quite rocky in low water. Downstream of the fall there is an eddy and a pull-out point on the left side of the river, where a better view of the rapid on the right can be gained. If the decision is made not to shoot the rapid, then the portage up and over the boulders on the left bank near the eddy is not easy, (assuming the alternative rocky left side channel cannot be negotiated). In good water, a portage around the fall is not necessary, as it can be bypassed by paddling in the left channel of the river, beside the boulders near the fall, and into the Tarlo. The rapid below on the right side of the river can be shot after inspection if needed, from the eddy on the left downstream of the fall. If both the fall and this rapid below are to be portaged a long high level portage on the right-hand side of the river, beginning upstream of the fall, may be necessary. Below the rapid on the right, there is a short pool followed by a grade 4 shoot consisting of two consecutive strong stoppers. Below this shoot there is a gravel bank on the right-hand side of the river which makes a noisy, poor but bearable campsite if caught in the gorge. The next rapid is the "Elbow", a two-stage grade 4-5 rapid in good water. The total volume of water narrows down a 2.5m chute into a powerful stopper and turbulent water between high rock walls for 20m. Next the river makes an elbow turn to the right, where a big cushion of water boils off the rock face into the centre of the narrow boisterous channel. Inspect from the rock wall on the right. Apart from 2 other rapids, which may require portaging, the rest of the rapids down to the power lines are reasonably straightforward grade 3-4 shoots, some of which have powerful water. The first of the two rapids mentioned, a 2.5m high rock shelf across the river about half-way through the gorge requires close inspection as there are rocks at the bottom. The second, just before the power lines are reached which cross the river at 29km, is a 2-stage 5m fall on the left, which in high water has a grade 4 to 5 run on the right. Towards the end of the gorge there are small campsites on the left and right of the river. At 30km there is another very bouldery fall which has a grade 3 rapid on the right in full water. For the next 3km there are intermittent stretches of continuous rapids with one set, near St. Paul's Creek, requiring a portage around a 6m series of bouldery falls. At 34km a grade 3 is encountered which is followed by a quieter stretch. Between a point 2 km upstream of the Wingecarribee junction and the junction itself there are a number of grade 2-3 rapids in a steep timbered gorge. Camping upstream of the Wingecarribee is difficult, but there is a splendid site just below the junction on the left. River Island Nature Retreat is 1.5km downstream from the junction and Goodman's Ford a half-day's paddle away. A fee is charged if camping at River Island.
GJooriland Gauge
200MLD = 0.5m
300MLD = 0.58m
400MLD =  0.63m
500MLD = 0.68m
600MLD = 0.72m
1000MLD = 0.86m
2200MLD = 1.11m
2600MLD = 1.17m
Golden Valley Gauge
400 MLD = 0.9 m
1000 MLD  = 1.2 m
2200 MLD = 1.6 m
2600 MLD = 1.7 m
Murray’s Flat Gauge
200MLD = 1.11m
300MLD =1.16m
400MLD = 1.21m