Canoe Trips

The Canoe Centre offers access not only to Goolang Creek but also to the Nymboida River. The lower stretches of the Nymboida are ideal for open canadian canoes to enjoy the wonderful scenery the Nymboida river has to offer. The Canoe Centre has a fleet of plastic canadian canoes for hire. Each of these boats are designed to take 2 people. Included in the hire fee is the boat, two paddles, two PFD's, two safety helmets and a waterproof container to keep your belongings dry. For large groups we also have a trailer for hire. These trips are suitable for people with white water experience and a degree of fitness is required. If required, drop-off and pick-ups can be arranged from the Canoe Centre. These trips are in a wilderness setting therefore communication and emergency devices are recommended!

Please call to make enquiries. Cabin and camping accommodation is available at the Canoe Centre.

COSTS
Canadian Canoe Hire $44/Day
Trailer Hire $20.00/Day

Kayak Hire (one person) $40/Day

Outlined below are three of the most popular sections of the river for paddling. These have been reproduced from "Canoeing Guide to NSW" with kind permission from NSW Canoeing Inc.
The information contained below is a guide only. It should be complemented by common sense and a realistic assessment of your own capabilities. Although researched by some of NSW most experienced canoeists, Nymboida Canoe Centre is in no way responsible or liable for any inaccuracies or misinformation contained herein.
Instructors are available at the Nymboida Canoe Centre for those wanting to improve their skills.

SECTION 1
THE JUNCTION TO POLLACK BRIDGE
LEVEL: Novice + (White water experience essential)
DISTANCE: 19 km
DURATION: approx. 6 - 8 hours - Pending River heights
MAP: (Clouds Creek 9437-4N), (Glenreach 9437-1N) and (Nymboida 9438-3S)
This section has predominantly grade I rapids with a few gravel races down to Pollack Bridge. However, there are two easy grade 2-3 rapids, one on the left side of an island. The 19 km from The Junction to the bridge can take up to 8 hours paddling time. A high level is 1.7m at Pollack Bridge. A good level is 1.1m at Pollack Bridge. The minimum level is about 0.9m at Pollack Bridge and anything below can be hard going.

SECTION 2
POLLACK BRIDGE TO BUCCARUMBI
LEVEL: Novice + (White water experience essential)
DISTANCE: 25 km
DURATION: approx 8-9 hours paddling
MAP: (Nymboida 9438-3S) and (Buccarumbi 9438-3N)
This is a long but fairly easy day trip suitable for most paddlers. An early start is advisable as there is no intermediate access. Start at Pollack Bridge or at The Coaching Station TSR. Paddle downstream to Nymboida Weir a couple of kilometres below The Coaching Station. This must be portaged (walk around). Paddle as close as safely possible to the weir and get out on the left hand bank facing downstream. Below the weir the section consists of a series of long pools separated by occasional grade 1 and 2 rapids and one known as Jasper Falls (Map ref 642937) a short distance below the junction with Jasper Creek. The take out point is at Buccarumbi Bridge (ref 601992)which is the first bridge that you come to. The trip from here back to the centre takes about 40 minutes.

Check the level on the Nymboida Weir Downstream gauge

A good level is around 1.3m, maximum 2.0m and minimum 0.8m

SECTION 3
BUCCARUMBI TO JACKADGERY
LEVEL: Novice + (White water experience essential)
DISTANCE: 44 km
DURATION: Easy 2-3 Days
MAPS: (Buccarumbi 9438-3-N), (Gundahl 9438-3-S) and (Jackadgery 9438-4-N 1:25000) or (Grafton 1:100000)
Put in a Buccarumbi Bridge (Map ref 601992) on the Old Glenn Innes to Grafton Road. The Nymboida River here is wide and rather lazy and provides a starting point which is easily accessible. The Buccarumbi to Cundlebung Creek stretch (27 km) contains several grade 2 rapids plus many races and longish pools. All the rapids are clean with paddling time being 5-6 hours. The rapid at Cundlebung Creek (ref 545141) is a two-stage grade 4 with the entire river narrowing across a 2 m drop followed by a sharp left turn and then a 2m drop into a very turbulent, rocky and aerated chute. It must be portaged via the left-hand (looking downstream) flood channel. During this stretch, the river generally flows through hilly, and timbered forestry country with many good campsites.
The next 7 km (1=-2 hours) to the Mann River Junction is particularly scenic. It contains three grade 3 rapids, with the best Exhibition Falls (ref 540156) containing the largest pressure waves. To the Mann Junction the stretch is through a long steep-sided valley (the Granite Gorge) with predominantly flat water. A camp at the junction, high on the left bank, offers panoramic views both upstream and down. Junction Falls 200metres further downstream (ref 525195) should be portaged on the left bank. Paddling from here to New Zealand Falls (5-6 km) takes about 2 hours. The long boulder strewn Bridal Veil rapid at the end of the junction pool can be attempted on the left hand side when the river level is around 1.2 at the Jackadgery gauge. It is a grade 3-4 at this level but is grade 4 at higher river levels. At lower levels paddle and wade down either side - this may take up to 30 mins. In high water do not attempt to paddle the right hand channel. New Zealand Falls (ref 599223), a grade 3-4 rapid should be approached with extreme caution, especially in higher water. These falls are not obvious from upstream and should be carefully inspected from the right hand bank. It is possible to shoot the 2m right-hand drop in low to moderate water. In lower water a left bank portage is the easier. Another 5 km (2 hours) of paddling through pools and races ends at the towering Mann River Bridge. Camping in this last stage is restricted by farms so it is best planned to make Jackadgery (ref 568275) your final destination.

River gauges: Nymboida Downstream, Jackadgery

	Nymboida Downstream	Jackadgery
Minimum	0.85m	1.35m
Good	1.7m to 2.2m	1.2m to 1.7m
Maximum	2.0m	2.5m