Day Trips Canoeing or Kayaking in the Noosa Everglades

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OVERVIEW

So ... you're interested in going for a paddle through the renowned Noosa Everglades with your partner, family or a bunch of mates, but you don't have any equipment, you don't know where to start, you don't know the best places to go and you're time-stretched to get organised.  You also want the best value deal around, and you don't want to be messed around with loads of logistics problems.

Look no further!  This is the trip for you ... a full day to explore the Everglades at your own pace, and all fully packaged and heavily discounted for groups of 2 or more people.  We keep the price down by making these self-guided, but we go all the way to get you there and back, with all the right gear and all the right guidance on what to do and where to go.

We provide all the equipment, maps, full and detailed briefings, some basic canoe instruction if needed, and we'll drop you right on the door step of the Everglades via one of our water taxis so you can quickly get started and enjoy the day to its fullest.  All you need to do is get yourself to Boreen Point (and even if this is a challenge on its own we may still be able to help you).

A fantastic and safe day outdoors!

AVAILABILITY

You have the choice of a customised trip or of joining one of our many pre-scheduled departures each week.

For customised trips you can usually nominate the departure and return times on your chosen day, while the pre-scheduled trips leave on allocated days around 9:30am and return at any convenient time.  Joining a pre-scheduled trip is the most economical way to enjoy the Everglades, though we are also anxious to satisfy passengers with their own timing preferences.

Pre-scheduled departures coincide with our multi-day Noosa Everglades Canoe Safari trips, and you can check the availability of these here.

Costs depend on the number of people in your group and whether you elect to join a pre-scheduled departure or to set your own fully customised schedule.  We also assume 2 people per canoe. These are effective from 1st October, 2009.

	Pre-scheduled departure time Flexible return time		Customised departure time Flexible return time
Number of People	Total Cost	Cost per Person	Total Cost	Cost per Person
2	A$198	A$99	A$290	A$145
4	A$276	A$69	A$356	A$89
6	A$390	A$65	A$450	A$75
8	A$472	A$59	A$520	A$65

Please note:

• Please contact us for pricing if there are more than 8 people in your group.  The maximum group size is 20 people per water taxi trip (though multiple trips are possible).
• The pre-scheduled departure time is 9:30am on nominated days
• Prices are fully inclusive - for standard trips, there are no additional or hidden mandatory costs.
• Water proof plastic drums (50 litre size) for the secure storage of clothes, gear and food are available for $10 each drum per trip.

LOCALITY

The Noosa Everglades are part of the Noosa River system, a 60km long majestic waterway meandering the coastal areas from the sand dunes in the north to its mouth near Noosa Heads, in south-east Queensland.  Noosa is approximately 90 minutes by car north from Brisbane.

The Everglades form the nothern end of this river system located within the Cooloola Section of the Great Sandy National Park, and are renowned for their pristine and natural condition.  Throughout the Everglades, the Noosa River varies in width from just a few meters to around 100 meters, and includes a section which crosses Fig Tree Lake and Lake Como.  Being largely protected from the wind by the surrounding forest, the river is mostly calm and highly suitable for exploration by canoe or kayak.

Just 20 minutes drive from Noosa is our base at Boreen Point, a small village on a penisula on the eastern shore of Lake Cootharaba, the largest of the lakes in this river system.  The Noosa Everglades commences where the Noosa River flows into this lake at its northern end.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Return transfers by water taxi between Boreen Point and the Sir Thomas Hillary Information Centre at Kinaba
• Canoe hire, with paddles (2 or 3 people per canoe)
• PFDs (bouyancy vests) - mandatory for the kids
• Maps
• Detailed briefings
• Basic canoe instruction, if required
• National Park Activity fees

WHAT TO BRING

• Food and drink for the day
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Light, comfortable sunsafe clothing
• Spray/fleecy jacket
• Swimming costume & towel
• Footwear
• Camera
• Mobile phone (just in case)
• Optionally, fishing gear

OUR EQUIPMENT

We primarily use Canadian style fibreglass and poly canoes, with seating capacity for either 2 or 3 people each.  These are very well suited to the Everglades conditions, being light but strong, easily managed, and straight-traking.

TYPICAL ITINERARY: PRE-SCHEDULED DEPARTURE

This is a rundown of the typical trip, though times given are indicative and may vary on the day to best accommodate everyone's needs:

8:45am	Arrive at the latest by your own transport at the lakefront at Boreen Point, unpack your belongings, park car (free), toilet stop, last chance to shop for goodies
9:00am	Initial briefing given by our staff, itinerary and maps provided
9:20am	Board our water taxi
9:30am	Water taxi departs for a 12km trip across Lake Cootharaba
9:50am	Arrive at the National Park Information Centre, disembark
10:00am	Canoe instruction provided by our staff
10:15am	Secondary briefing provided by our staff
10:30am	Load gear into canoes, depart from Information Centre, self-guided safari begins.  You are now free to explore this amazing wonderland at your own pace and to your heart's content.  There are many optional routes and points of interest to explore.  At the end of your safari, you will return to the Information Centre.

At a pre-agreed time, our water taxi will arrive to collect your group and return them back across the lake to Boreen Point.  After a short de-briefing on shore, you will be on your way back home.

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS

• Use kayaks instead of canoes (additional costs may apply, please discuss with us)
• Camp overnight in any of the 17 designated camp areas within the national park (additional costs apply - use you own camp gear or hire ours)
• Explore the surrounding forests and landscape via any of the available walking tracks
• Take the 11 kilometre round trek to the Cooloola Sandpatch, for a breath-taking panorama of the coastal area and hinterland for as far as the eye can see
• Motorised runabout boat hire ... use as a support boat for the group (additional costs apply) - no special license required

GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

Your involvement in any of our trips, tours and hires is subject to our General Terms & Conditions, and any other specific hire agreement we may execute with you.