This trip has three distinct stretches. For the first 30km down to Kissop's Flat the river flows through gorge country, accentuated by a number of cliffs and escarpments. The steep hills are sparsely wooded and camp sites not numerous. Rapids are virtually continuous, mostly of a good grade 3 standard and some approaching grade 4. There are only short pools in between, producing enjoyable white-water canoeing for the entire length of the gorge. Landmarks in this stretch are few so follow the map closely. The rapids tend to be drops; long chutes with stoppers and standing waves; or two-or-three stage rapids with drops and short fast foaming white-water between them and eddies which allow inspection. Most rapids have alternative channels with clear runs and no obstacles. There are possibly three portages in low to moderate water, while in high water there is one compulsory portage, the other two being canoeable depending on paddling ability. The first of these, about I km from the start, can be portaged on the right bank but may be shot on the extreme left in high water. The compulsory portage is about halfway through the gorge and is a long four-stage rapid, consisting of 4 drops with 25 metres of fast white-water in between each drop. The first two drops are grade 2, the third is grade 3 and the last is uncanoeable, being a 2m waterfall directly onto rocks. It is advisable to portage the entire rapid in good water, as shooting the third drop would mean being swept over the fall, and there is little to spare in eddying out after the second drop. Portage on the right, near the willows. The last portage is towards the end of the gorge. This rapid is a 3m drop with rock obstructions and is easily portaged on the left. As the rapids in this gorge are numerous, it is not easy to distinguish these last two portages except from the bank. It is therefore advisable to inspect from the bank all rapids where the bottom of the rapid or the path through it cannot be observed from the boat. Around Kissop's Flat the river gradient and the countryside flatten considerably. The hills become more wooded, grazing country appears, and campsites are numerous. The river here consists of long pools and grade 2 rapids with many willows. For the last 14km down to Cooma Pumping Station, the river flows through a second gorge, although this is much less steep than the gorge upstream. The river consists of grade 2 rapids, with many pools, and some rapids and races having willow tree obstacles.