1Km Downstream of Gara River Junction To Georges Creek
Published by: The Paddle NSW Inc. PO Box 6971 Silverwater NSW 2128 First published as a book "Canoeing Guide to New South Wales" in 1990 by NSW Canoe Association Incorporated Original Copyright NSW Canoe Association Incorporated 1990 Copyright PaddleNSW Inc. PO Box 6971 Silverwater NSW 2128 Email: admin@paddleNSW.org.au The information on this page and the printed book "Canoeing Guide to New South Wales" is copyright. Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism, or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this page may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Paddle NSW Inc. All correspondence concerning the content of this guide should be addressed to the Paddle NSW Inc. ISBN O 646 00264 3 The "Canoeing Guide to New South Wales" was printed in Hong Kong by: United League Printing (Hong Kong) Ltd. , Film Separations by: D & S Brandish Print Consultants Typography by: Deblaere Typesetting Pty Ltd., Dee Why, NSW 2099
The Canoeing Guide to NSW Rivers
Although in this section the river runs through rugged, inaccessible country, it would be difficult to describe this as an exciting paddle. The river itself is rather narrow and, at least in the low to moderate water which would probably prevail for most of the time, the rapids are not above grade 2. The bottom of the gorge itself is also narrow, and this, coupled with the fact that the hillsides drop steeply down to the gorge, particularly in the upper stretches, tends to give a feeling of oppressiveness. A redeeming feature is that campsites are relatively easy to find. In the first 10km down to Bakers Creek there are about 5 rapids and 3 tree hazards to negotiate. In the next 18km to Blue Mountain Creek there are only about 10 rapids with two more tree hazards. During this 38km the river meanders extensively, at times almost coming back on itself. From here the valley starts to open out somewhat and names such as Oven Camp and Long Flat indicate settlements along the river in bygone days. In the 11 km between Blue Mountain Creek and Oven Flat there are 6 rapids but no tree hazards. At 45km (Map Ref. 012917 Armidale) a portage may be needed due to a rock block-up. The next feature (at 55km) is the Chandler River coming in on the left. This is a large river and will generally add considerably to the flow. The Macleay, which has not dropped very rapidly from the beginning of the trip now flattens out even more and, for the rest of the trip maintains this low gradient with a corresponding lack of rapids, there being only about 4 rapids of any note for the remaining 47km. Between the Chandler junction and the confluence with the Apsley (from the right at 68km) there are 4 tree hazards, the last of which just before the Apsley comes in, may require a portage. At 58km (Map Ref. 061891 Carrai) there is a fence across the river. Again, the Apsley may add considerably to the flow. There are now wide flats along either side of the river but there are few noteworthy features. Towards the end of the trip the valley widens, the last rapid is shot and the mountains are left behind as Georges Creek is reached.