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Women's Lake Eildon Overnight Canoe Adventure // 12-13th March

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Summary

This unique nature adventure will take you overnight canoeing through the magnificent area of Lake Eildon, Victoria. The women’s only trip starts at Hutchinson Boat Ramp. From here, 25 km over two days of spectacular solitude wilderness is laying ahead of you...

The lakeside camping is ideal for a night under the stars, pull up to a sandy beaches, pitch a tent and relax.

Lake Eildon is picturesque and after a day on the water, you’ll be able to sit back (or jump in a hammock) and soak in breathtaking views. 

Highlights

  • Small group (max 10 women)
  • Experienced female canoe guide 
  • Excellent healthy meals and snacks 
  • Good canoeing and camping equipment
  • Enjoy nature and wildlife along the lake
  • Opportunity to learn a few new camp tricks and paddle skills 

Gallery

Details

  • Meeting time: 8.00am 
  • Meeting location: Hutchinson Boat Ramp, Bonnie Doon VIC - View link
  • Finish time: Between 3 - 3.30pm day two
  • Grade: Easy - moderate (in higher wind conditions). A basic to good level of fitness required 
  • Paddle distance: 12 km each day

Suggested accommodation 

  1. Bonnie Doon Hotel
  2. Airbnb

What to bring

  • Hat (preferably broad brim with a chin strap) and sunglasses
  • A cotton sarong for extra sun protection and cooling
  • Tent (hire option available, please indicate when booking)
  • Camping chair
  • Pillow
  • Sleeping mat
  • Sturdy shoes that can get wet, Teva, Chacos, Keens, other water sandals or old runners (No thongs please)
  • Head torch with spare batteries
  • Paddle clothing (long sleeve shirt with a collar and long pants for sun protection)
  • Sleeping bag 
  • Sunscreen
  • Comfortable shoes to wear around camp (uggs in cooler months)
  • Socks and underwear
  • Clothes to get changed into at camp
  • 2-3L water (an insulated bottle with ice recommended)
  • Personal mediation
  • Swimmers and towel
  • Camera or phone
  • Good book/cards
  • Wet weather jacket
  • Beanie 
  • Paddle gloves (optional) yet very handy 
  • Warm fleece if it’s a cooler day
  • Dry bag if you own (if not WWA will supply 20L dry bags) 
  • Pack your items in a small overnight bag. We will provide additional packing barrels for the canoes for your items
  • BYO alcohol

*Gear hire. Please indicate when booking

  1. Tent - $40
  2. Sleeping bag - $30
  3. Sea to Summit Sleeping Matt - $30

* All prices are per person and listed in Australian Dollars (AUD). All prices shown are GST inclusive where applicable.

Itinerary

Our adventure begins 8.00am at Hutchinson Boat Ramp where your guide will be waiting to greet the group and help you prepare your gear. 

After a paddle and safety briefing + some delicious morning tea, we launch onto the water and we’re away!

Women can expect to paddle a total of 12 km both days. Stopping at gorgeous lakeside locations for breaks. Our camp for the night will be Italian Bay Island. We estimate we should paddle into camp around 3pm- 3:30pm. This location is a shady headland offering almost 360 views of the lake, perfect trees for hoisting hammocks, complete with an established fire pit and the best part is this location is only accessible by water. 

It’s a short hike up to this stellar camp spot (100m) but we promise the views are worth every step!

Enjoy your afternoon relaxing, swimming and delving into our famous afternoon tea spreads. We encourage women to explore the little island or sit back with a book. 

Dinner will be prepared and served by your guide who, is passionate about healthy and delicious meals. Some of our specialty dishes include beef bourguignon, Hungarian casserole or vegetarian curries (we cater for dietary requirements and vegetarians, but not FODMAP). Your guide is also a keen musician and will happily play a tune with a little prompting. 

The following morning, wake to the smell of fresh brewed coffee, loose leaf tea, oats and fruit. 

We aim to be back on the water by 9:30am for a meander paddle back to Bonnie Doon. We stop for lunch along the way and arrive at Hunchinson Boat ramp between 3-3.30pm. 

Women can expect to take home canoe paddle skills, on water navigation skills, history of the lake, a bunch of new friends, an unforgettable experience and new found confidence to embark on their own adventures. 

Inclusions

INCLUDED:
  • All canoeing equipment, including PFD’s and paddle
  • Tuition given to level of tour
  • Women Want Adventure qualified and local guide
  • All meals outlined in itinerary
  • Fees and licensing 
  • All cooking gear
  • Group tarp
  • All eating utensils (you are welcome to bring your own mug)
  • First aid
  • Washing up gear
  • Containers/barrels and bags for your items in the canoe
EXCLUDED:
  • Transport to meeting location
  • Alcoholic beverages 
  • Tents/sleeping bags/sleeping mats (available for hire)
  • Trip cancellation and medical insurance: We strongly recommend you purchase adequate insurance coverage at the time of booking. Your policy should cover injury, illness or death, trip cancellation, emergency medical, search & rescue, flight accident, travel accident, loss of baggage and personal effects

Grading

Grading: Easy

An easy trip is suitable for women who are new to adventure and want to get outside (but start off a little gentler) while the trips are slow and have breaks, it’s still an adventure so a basic to good level of fitness is required. You will still be in the elements and moving your body! For instance, our Jervis Bay Sea Kayaking Trip will see you paddling on the water for up to five hours. However, it will be at a slower pace, in a double kayak… so let your buddy do the paddling!

Fitness and Preparation  We ask that you have a basic to good level of fitness. If you are comfortable completing half-day walks over some uneven terrain, or perhaps take a swim/cycle/yoga class a couple of times a week, you should find this level of trip well within your means.

FAQ

We provide a blue barrel large enough for your items inside and to keep them dry. A dry bag is also supplied. Your guide will explain on arrival. 

Yes of course! Most women book individually. 

First, you haven’t aged a day. Second, no problem! Many women don’t go canoeing as a regular activity. If it’s your first time or it’s been a while, you guide will help you brush up your skills. 

We will check weather forecasts and ensure the trip is safe to trip. We still paddle in the rain, but not extremely high winds. It’s an adventure! If there are any trip changes we will be in contact via email/phone. 

Ages range from late 20’s to late 60’s. The average age of women attending trips is 45 years.

Reviews

Jenny Parkinson 04/02/2022
    5 / 5 rating

Great weekend. Thank you!

I am back at work sitting ay my desk and have more emails coming in than I can count. I look at my desktop screen (now a picture of our group at camp) and I find solace. I am so appreciative of WWA and what they provide. I can’t say enough how much this weekend did for me. One night away felt like a week. If you get Lauren as your guide, please say hello from me. She was amazing! The food was healthy and we were all so well looked after. I’m going to book the Murray River trip next because I’m hooked. If you’re thinking about this trip, honestly, just go for it! Thank you again - back to my emails. 

Monica Davidson 04/02/2022
    5 / 5 rating

Incredible!

The weekend is over. What remains are beautiful memories. Our Lauren was there for all of us newbie canoe warriors (we liked to call ourselves). No one knew each other prior to this trip and I think that is what really made it special. Lauren had this way of bringing everyone together like we had been friends for years. Lots of laughter and good chats. I’m so glad I’ve found Women Want Adventure in Victoria and can’t wait for other trips. So different from a tourist style tour and something to get me out of my comfort zone, especially different from my normal weekends! Until we meet again. 

Kate Campbel 04/02/2022
    5 / 5 rating

Best time! Thank you so much. I'll be BACK!

I wanted to send a note regarding our guides Lauren and Ebony. They were such a joy! We actually all really missed them after the trip and when we had to say goodbye. They were informative, very kind, sweet, laid back and just overall a great empowering women. This was my first WWA trip and I was overall very impressed with how professional the company is. It’s not a women’s meet up group, the level of professionalism was impressive. I loved our camp spot, the food, the other ladies and being outside for the night. Unfortunately is was overcast so I didn’t see the stars! I guess I will have to come back another time! All the best. 

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