Snowy River Wilderness Expedition

Paddle briefing and afternoon rapids fun

We meet at 7.30am at Cooma McDonalds car park (NSW). (Please refer to the pre departure information for full details) Participants will be shuttled from Cooma, to the paddle put-in along the Snowy River behind the small town of Delegate. It is a good idea to bring spending money for the journey to and from the river for last minute items, snacks or souvenirs. Guides will inflate and pack inflatable kayaks. A comprehensive safety talk will be given and the day will be spent mastering the kayaks, refining paddling skills and enjoying fun rapids. On arrival at camp we will introduce you to wilderness camping, prepare a hearty meal and start to get to know our fellow travelling companions.

Matong Creek to Snowy Falls

The next four days we will be in an extremely remote gorge, negotiating approximately 10km per day at a safe pace. There are many challenging rapids and portages. This country is part of the nyeth (turtle) dreaming. We will hike up into the spectacular Matong Creek, negotiate Corrowong Falls and marvel at the rugged wilderness scenery including the ‘Hanging Rock’ formation. Afternoons are spent swimming, exploring or relaxing with a book and each night will be spent by the campfire yarning under the stars. By day 5 we will find ourselves camped above the majestic, rarely witnessed Snowy Falls, the biggest portage yet and gatekeeper to the Byadbo Wilderness. This is djamalan (platypus) dreaming country.

Snowy Falls

Today we will kayak through the magnificent steep gorges and amazing granite formations of the Snowy River. The cliffs and ridges are spectacular, falling directly to the river edge, leaving a winding trail of tranquil water for all to enjoy. We will portage and view the renown but rarely seen Snowy Falls and enjoy an afternoon of quite pools mixed with rushing rapids before making camp mid afternoon.

Men's Camp and Birdlife Bend

Today we will paddle through the towering Cypres pine forests which have been barely viewed since European occupation. We will hike up a tributary and carefully view 'Men's Camp', an aboriginal site abundant with artefacts. This is the remotest section of the Snowy River. The afternoon is spent enjoying the abundant wildlife whilst paddling through 'Birdlife Bend', platypus pools and fun safe rapids.

Snowy River Bush Land

Over the next two days we enjoy a change in scenery as the gorge begins to widen, giving way to vast stretches or rough wild bush. We paddle past sandy river banks, quiet contemplative pools and rocky rapids before arriving at another glorious campsite each evening.

Wet Cheeks Rapids

Today we paddle some exhilarating rapids such as 'Wet Cheeks' and past the Jacobs River tributary before arriving at your pick-up location - No Name Campground, The Barry Way, Kosciusko National Park. We have a rejuvenating afternoon tea before being driven back to your transport. We aim to have you back in Cooma by 6.00pm.

Wind your way down the majectic Snowy River, navigating the 110km journey in your individual inflatable kayak. You will travel through remote gorges and negotiate challenging rapids and portages and even hike past Corrowong Falls to marvel at the rugged Hanging Rock formations. Over 10 breathtakening days you will journey through a pristine and rarely seen wilderness viewing an abundance of wildlife including platypus, kangaroos, emus, sea eagles and the iconic Snowy River Brunby. The river includes a variety of paddling, from contemplative pools mixed in with grade 1 to 3 rapids and crosses several song lines where you take the time to learn Aboriginal food and plants uses, and view multitudes of canoe trees, possum trees and ancient occupation sites that abound with artefacts. This expedition style kayaking adventure is not for the faint hearted - but is a thrilling adrenalin packed journey for anyone who thrives on a challenge and wants to experience the heart of the Snowy River as it flows through the Snowy Mountains.