This year we will be heading to the remote and stunning Goulburn and Big River Arms of Lake Eildon in North East Victoria. We will spend 3 days over the March long weekend (10-12th), starting in Jamieson Victoria.

All equipment, accommodation and transport will be looked after and so all you need to do is train with the Vigor Kayaking group so you know you are fit enough to complete the tour, and of course pay to confirm one of the 17 spots available. Please note most boats have storage for food, clothes and camping equipment, but for this tour we will bring some surf ski's so people can go faster and share the duties each day of going in the slower kayaks that a carrying all the equipment.

Itinerary

Leave Melbourne as soon as you can on Friday the 10th of March and head for Jamieson, about 3 hours drive with a break. You will be staying the night camping by the Goulburn River, this is were we will launch the next morning. If you can't get to Jamieson on Friday night you could drive up early Saturday morning but would have to be super organised.

Saturday morning will start with a sleep in!!! that's right it's a holiday and there is no rush, breakfast by the river and start packing the the kayaks ready to launch by about 10am. Depending on logistics there may be a car shuffle in the morning.

We will paddle along the Goulburn River arm and around to the Big River arm before reaching Taylors Camp site. Distance varies in the big lake but this will be just under 20km. If we have the campsite to ourselves we will stay 2 nights here as it's a great spot and we can do some out and back paddles.

The highlight of the trip will be the Sunday morning paddle up the Big River arm as far as we can before we hit the rapids. This was just magic when i went this way in Early January.

We will head back to either Jamieson, or Macs Cove area on the Monday to finish and drive back to Melbourne. 

Download Parks Vic Lake Eildon Notes and Map  

What you need to bring

We will be using the sit on top Sprinter kayaks (you can share the use of the surf ski's) that have 2 storage areas one at the front and one at the back. We suggest you buy medium sized dry bags to tightly pack your belongings into the kayak.The paddles are carbon, so they are light and strong, the PFD's are kayak specific with room for a hydration bladder. To our knowledge no tour group offers equipment this good, this ensures you go fast, enjoy your paddling and don't get injuries from sub-standard gear.

This is a suggested list of items you should bring:

2 quick dry t-shirts

1 short sleeve thermal top

1 long sleeve thermal top

2 paddling shorts, can be cycling shorts or quick dry shorts, comfort is essential

1 long leggings or thermals if legs are cold whilst paddling

1 pants, track suit pants for evenings

1 shorts to keep dry for around camp

1 pair sandals for around camp

1 pair walking shoes for walking on the adjoining walking track

1 pair booties to paddle in if you want

2 pairs socks, one warm pair for the campsite and one for walking

underwear as you please

1 pair bathers, it's a great river for swimming

1 warm top for evenings

1 waterproof top, might be necessary to paddle with it.

1 cap for protection when paddling

1 beanie for cold evenings

Sunglasses and sunscreen would be advisable

Minimal toiletries

Head torch

Book (maximum 200 pages!)

Tent (you can share if you're game)

Sleeping mat, essential for a good night sleep

Sleeping bag, it's good to have a liner too in case it's hot or freezing at night

Bladder for your pfd so you can drink whilst paddling

Drink bottle for water

Plate/Bowl for tucker, and spork or spoon and fork

Obviously the weather forecast will give you a clearer picture of essentials but remember once we are out there you can't put on a rain jacket if you didn't bring one.

Cost

We have made this as easy as possible for you buy supplying equipment, transport and catering for 7 meals and not to mention training you up and guiding you. However, we want this adventure to be accessible to everyone and we hope our prices don't leave you out:

Vigor Members $350, Non-Members $400.

Lake Eildon is a beautiful body of water for kayaking, wide, clean and relatively quite as we will stay away from the busy areas were speed boats frequent. Taylors campground is comfortable, surrounded by bushland with diverse flora and fauna, it has fire places and pit toilets...luxurious! 

We look forwards to paddling with you.