The Murrumbidgee River
One of Australia's most important watercourses. Starting high in the Snowy's flowing through Cooma, Canberra, Wagga and beyond til it joins the Murray. Plenty more sections left to explore, here are some local runs. It is my goal to have paddled and documented the length of this river from its origins high in the snowies all the way to where it joins the Murray system..
The Murrumbidgee project is a bucket list goal that whilst I can still paddle, in the face of advancing age that I will paddle every section of the upper Murrumbidgee River from Tantangara creek above Tantangara Dam, through Cooma, Canberra, Burrinjuck, Childowlah and finish at Jugiong. I hope to be able to film these stretches of river and add to those sections documented here on this page.
Angle Crossing to Tharwa
The sister run to our much beloved Red Rocks Gorge. Amazing and challenging class II(IV) paddling that builds in intensity to a definite crux point at Headbanger rapid, This river section threads its way through Gigerline reserve home to one of the few strongholds of the endangered Macquarie Perch. The run finishes at Sandwash, where the Gudgenby jRiver oins the Murrumbidgee at Tharwa..
Cotter to Uriarra
When the Lobbs Hole Guage tops 6m and the usually gentle Cotter to Uriarra section becomes a express ride with big wave trains, and higher difficulty (III) and higher consequence as the submerged trees now become real hazards. One place to be in your boat, in a solid group watching each others safety. On lower water days this is the perfect beginner whitewater run.
Red Rocks Gorge
Our local kayak and rafting run, also home to some amazing climbing, riding, and walking along the Murrumbidgee River. This run is a solid class III paddle with a notorious class V rapid "The Chasm" to portage unless you are an expert and the river level is perfect. Portages may also need to be done at the toaster (IV) depending on levels. Beyond these two rapids the run connects a diverse collection of river features and rapids all tucked in ascenic gorge bounded by spectacular red cliffs all within the suburbs of Canberra.
Point Hutt to Pine Island then Red Rocks
One of the best and safest beginer runs in Canberra, and the usual starting point for beginners to whitewater. Nice clean class II rapids ending in pools in the middle of southside suburbia. Whilst the perfect beginner run it is always a fun outing that is entertaining at all levels with some nice surf waves coming into play at different levels. The run is only 4km long and can be done multiple times in a day. Good platupus spotting too!
Murrumbidgee Childowlah Training Run
Below Burrinjuck Dam the Murrumbidgee gives up its final whitewater sections. The river is wide and sits in a beautiful valley that cuts through grazing land. In summer when all else is dry Burrinjuck releases water cool and clean for the irrigators downstream. When that happens it forms a sensational stretch of class II (III) water with countless eddies, surf waves, holes and other features to train on.
River Information:
Wiki River is a community maintained resource created by Andrew Houghton and maintained by the whitewater paddling community. If you can think of a river chances are it hs been explored. The more the community contributes the better it will become!
GPX Files and Other Data
If you see a destination or trip on this site that you want Beta n., please drop me a line. As good as onsighting a climb, a river run even a hike, there is no substitute for preparation Im happy sharing trail data for those interested.