Kayak Country — Australia's Best Paddling Destinations

Australia has some of the best paddling country in the world — wild coastal estuaries, alpine rivers, deep limestone gorges. The serious paddler can spend a lifetime exploring different waterways. The kayak fishing crowd in particular benefits from the ability to access water that boats can't.

Here are some Australia's best paddling destinations — coastal Victoria, the limestone gorges of the Glenelg River, and remote inlets that reward the journey.

Photo by Héctor Mavare on Unsplash

Australia has incredible paddling water in every state — alpine streams in Victoria, gorges in WA, mangrove inlets up north, sea-kayaking heaven in the Whitsundays. But the destinations below stand out for the rare combo of:

• Solitude — proper remote, often empty even in peak season
• Spectacular scenery — sandstone cliffs, ancient gorges, wild surf coast
• Sheltered conditions — beginner + intermediate-friendly even when the open coast is rough
• Sensational fishing bonus — bream, mulloway, dusky flathead, estuary perch all common

A remote inlet + river inside Croajingolong National Park, far East Gippsland. The turn-off is ~17km from Cann River (last supply town). The drive in is rough, but the campsites overlooking the inlet + entrance are spectacular. Past the entrance lies The Skerries — a rocky outcrop home to a fur seal colony.

• No proper boat ramp — small sandy beach + wooden jetty. Power-restricted boats only — perfect for kayaks
• Paddle the inlet + into the river upstream to a rocky rapid
• Fishing: dusky flathead in the inlet — sensational at times
• Camping: NP campground at the inlet, basic facilities
• Best season: September-May (winter is wet + cold)
• Vehicle: 4WD or robust 2WD; the access road is rough

Photo: Rewire 330 / Unsplash

Access from Cann River township via Tamboon Road. Small camp area beside the inlet, just east of the very popular Thurra River + Point Hicks.

• Mueller River — paddle upstream into spectacular country. Estuary perch fishing is exceptional in summer, particularly after dark on muggy nights
• Camp Creek — almost directly across from the camping area, hard to spot until close. Beautiful coastal stream parallel to the surf beach (separated only by sand dunes). Tie off + walk over the dunes to the beach. The seclusion + wilderness vibe is what makes this spot special
• Best season: November-April
• Vehicle: 4WD recommended for the access

Comfortably one of the most recognised paddling locations in Australia. The lower Glenelg flows through Lower Glenelg National Park — its main feature is a 35km LIMESTONE GORGE up to 50m deep. Spectacular country.

• Multiple launching + camping areas along the lower river — ideal for 2-4 day paddle-camp-fish trips
• Spacing of campsites works for shorter trips too
• Most campsites have fireplaces, picnic tables, toilets (one even has FLUSHING toilets — luxury)
• BYO drinking water — no taps
• Bookings essential for holiday + long weekend periods (book through Parks Victoria website)
• Fishing: famous for bream + estuary perch. ALSO famous for the MULLOWAY (jewfish) that enter the river in large numbers — one of Australia's most reliable river locations for this iconic species. Bait or lures both work
• Best season: October-May. Winter is wet + cold

Photo: Pascal Scholl / Unsplash

• Whitsundays Ngaro Sea Trail (QLD) — multi-day sea kayaking circuit linking islands + mainland. Calm protected water, spectacular scenery. See our top 10 adventure destinations
• Hawkesbury River system (NSW) — extensive paddling network around Sydney + Central Coast
• Jervis Bay (NSW) — sheltered crystal water, white sand
• Murchison River, Kalbarri (WA) — sandstone gorge paddling
• Daly River + Mary River (NT) — barramundi-fishing paddler's paradise (croc-aware required)
• Pieman River (TAS) — wild west coast Tassie, primeval rainforest
• Coorong (SA) — long shallow lagoon system, abundant birdlife
• Snowy River, alpine Vic + NSW — multi-day whitewater for experienced paddlers

• Pack everything in dry bags — even sit-on-top kayaks ship water
• PFD always worn — see our kayak buying guide
• Marine VHF radio for offshore + remote inlet trips. EPIRB or PLB for serious remote
• Check tide + weather twice — at planning + on the morning of
• Tell someone your float plan + return time
• Pack lightweight + compact camping kit — bivvy + lightweight sleeping bag work where a full tent doesn't fit in a kayak hatch
• Crocodile country precaution (NT, far north QLD): never paddle solo, never swim, always camp 50m+ from the water

Many of the best paddling rivers and lakes are paired with great waterside camping. Browse our Campsite Explorer to find sites near your launch.

Open Campsite Explorer →

• Australian Canoeing: paddleaustralia.org.au
• Marine weather + tides (BoM): bom.gov.au/marine
• Tide times (Willyweather): willyweather.com.au
• PFD + safety regulations (state Maritime): Each state has different requirements — check before paddling
• Crocodile safety (NT/QLD): crocwise.qld.gov.au
• Leave No Trace Australia: lnt.org.au

Kayaking opens up water that no other vehicle can access — remote inlets, spectacular gorges, beaches that take half a day to walk to. The destinations above are the standouts for variety + the ability to combine kayaking with fishing + camping.

Build up gradually — start with sheltered inlets like Mallacoota or Wingan, work up to limestone gorges like the Glenelg, eventually tackle the multi-day expeditions like Hawkesbury sea trail or Whitsundays Ngaro circuit. The world of kayak-camping is one of the great Australian outdoor experiences.