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Set out on a canoe adventure on the undeniably beautiful Shoalhaven River and discover serenity in the remote Morton National Park wilderness.
The Shoalhaven Gorge is home to some of the best canoeing in Australia. Winding its way down 327km from Southern Tablelands all the way to Nowra on the South Coast of New South Wales, the river offers a perfect wilderness getaway for beginners and experts alike. Along the way, paddle up river from Tallowa Dam to explore the heart of the gorge, only accessible via canoe.
Once you’ve discovered this paddler’s paradise, it’s certain to stay with you forever.
Get ready to lose yourself in the untouched beauty of nature, with no towns, houses, roads or trails in sight. This pristine wilderness is home to an incredible range of plants and wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for the chance to witness some remarkable animals in their natural habitats.
As the sun sets, we'll set up camp on a grassy riverbank, surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature. With no reception to distract you, this is the perfect opportunity to switch off and immerse yourself in your new surroundings. And with a two-night trip, we're giving you plenty of time to truly soak up the experience.
This two-night trip is a special experience that has been created in response to the demand of women in the community who have said time and time again, "I wish we were staying up here for two nights!" - and now, that wish has been granted!
The trip includes a skills briefing and development as you paddle that will prepare you for the days on the water.
Details
* All prices are per person and listed in Australian Dollars (AUD). All prices shown are GST inclusive where applicable.
Welcome to day one of the Women's Shoalhaven Gorge Trip! Our adventure kicks off at the Kangaroo Valley Safaris Base House on 2210 Moss Vale Rd Barrengarry 2577 in Kangaroo Valley. This is where you'll meet your guide, who will walk you through packing your allocated waterproof drum barrel. Once everyone is ready, we'll hop on the bus and head 15 minutes south to Tallowa Dam, our starting point for the canoe trip.
As we arrive at the dam, take a moment to breathe in the fresh outdoor air and get ready to pack your gear into the canoes. Our experienced guides will provide you with canoe-specific skills and emergency procedures, including hand signals. You'll learn some basic paddle strokes that will help you maneuver your canoe with your paddle partner effectively. We'll also provide guidance on "leave no trace" camping to minimize our impact on the wilderness ecosystem.
We'll start slow to allow everyone to get comfortable with their canoe and being on the water. Remember that your paddling speed will be influenced by the wind, and your guide will instruct the group to move at a slow pace. We'll paddle for 1-1.5 hours before stopping for lunch.
After a break, we'll continue upstream for another 2 hours before reaching our campsite on sandy river and grassy banks. Once we arrive, you'll have plenty of time to swim, relax in your camp chair with a good book, and enjoy a snack. As the night falls, we'll gather around a warm campfire and admire the stars if the sky is clear.
In the evening, we'll serve a healthy dinner to refuel you for the next day's adventures.
Meals included: Lunch, dinner, and snacks.
Today you have the opportunity to take time to slow down and savor the beauty of the outdoors. This morning, you can sleep in and wake up to the soothing sounds of birds singing. Take a refreshing morning swim or just relax by the river. Your guide will prepare breakfast at your leisure, and you can savor a croissant and a cup of coffee over the campfire.
As our camp is our base for the whole trip, we won't be moving locations today. Instead, we'll spend the morning taking it easy and enjoying the natural surroundings. Take time to slow down, breathe deeply, and appreciate the peacefulness of the wilderness.
Later in the morning, we'll hop back into the canoes and paddle up the Gorge as far as we can, around 2 kilometers, until we reach a spot with little rapids. Here, we'll take a break, go for a swim, and explore the area while enjoying a mid-morning tea and brunch.
Afterward, we'll return to our base camp for the afternoon. This is a perfect opportunity to unwind, chat with your fellow travelers, or read a book in the tranquil wilderness setting. We'll provide some afternoon nibbles to keep you energized and refreshed.
In the evening, we'll gather around the campfire once again for a delicious dinner and some wine. It's a time to share stories, relax, and appreciate the simple joys of being surrounded by nature.
Meals included: Breakfast, brunch, dinner, and snacks + a nice red to enjoy around the campfire�
Wake up to the serene sounds of local birdlife on day three. There's no need to set an alarm, as the natural surroundings will gently rouse you from your slumber. Savour a hot cup of coffee or tea as you prepare to enjoy another morning in the wilderness. Your guide will prepare breakfast before we begin packing up our gear and getting ready to head back down the river to Tallowa Dam.
On the return journey, we'll take a rest break to stretch our legs and enjoy the scenery. We'll arrive back at Tallowa Dam, where we'll meet the canoe trailer and bus to transport us back to our cars in Kangaroo Valley. Expect to be back at our starting point around 1-1:30 PM.
As we wrap up this three-day adventure, take a moment to reflect on the experience and the memories we've created together. This trip was designed to help you slow down, unplug, and connect with the natural world around you. We hope that you feel recharged, refreshed, and inspired to keep exploring.
Meals included: Breakfast, morning tea/brunch�
Our trip is designed to provide a moderate outdoor adventure experience for women, including those who are new to such activities. While the trip is graded as easy to moderate, it is important to note that a basic to good level of fitness is required as we will be in a wilderness context. Paddling a canoe can be physically demanding, especially if this is your first time. However, you will be in a double canoe with another lady to help share the load. We cannot control the weather, and in some cases, higher winds may make paddling more difficult. We are not in a rush and are here to help. Therefore, we recommend that healthy women in good physical condition who are willing to engage in canoeing and camping activities over a three-day period book this trip. This includes setting up tents, moving gear in and out of canoes, and paddling. You can expect to be out on the water for 3-4 hours each day.
To prepare for the trip, we advise engaging in at least 1 hour of physical aerobic exercise 3-4 times a week. Our goal is to provide a safe, enjoyable, and rewarding experience, and your physical preparedness is essential to that end. Beginners to canoeing are welcome.
The answer is still yes! We recommend contacting us if you�re unsure about our trips and want to chat through this overnight adventure. Our experienced and certified guide team will do everything they can to make your trip within your reach. A good base level of fitness is required and this will make your trip more enjoyable.�
Our healthy, fresh-food menu has evolved over the years of wilderness canoeing camping. With space in double canoes and drum barrels, we have the luxury of including fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses and frozen items carried in special cooler-packs. Imagine having fresh springs rolls around the compfire - that�s ridiculous! It�s what we do. At Women Want Adventure, our guides prepare healthy meals with originality and sometimes �shock and awe� to every meal.�
Provided we are advised in advance we are able to cater for vegetarian diets, and can assist with food intolerances. Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us at least a month prior to your trip to determine whether we can cater for your dietary needs. We do not cater for FODMAP on this trip.�
All equipment is placed inside the canoes (there is surprisingly more than you think!). Once we pull up to the shore of camp, it�s roughly a 100-200m walk up the shoreline to camp. We unpack the canoes and carry out gear to camp to set up.
Yes. Please email a picture and description to�womenwantadventure@outlook.com.
A normal size pillow is more than okay. It will be placed into the blue waterproof drum we provide you.
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Yes. These can fold up and be placed inside the canoes between the front and back seat.
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Almost everyone! Welcome to the community. Most women turn up individually to our trips to connect with others and make friends with like-minded women who enjoy getting outdoors.
Cars will be left at Kangaroo Valley Safaris Base House -�2210 Moss Vale Rd Barrengarry 2577 in Kangaroo Valley. It is safe to leave your car here.�
There is a bathroom at our meeting location in Kangaroo Valley and another public bathroom at our launch and finish location at Tallowa Dam. There is one pit toilet at our camp location up Shoalhaven Gorge.�
We will introduce you to your fellow women paddlers and help you match with someone to hop in a canoe with you. Partners can be changed on the second day if you wish and stronger paddlers can also team up with first-timers.�
Women Want Adventure is always checking weather forecasts and will notify you if the weather is unsafe to run a trip. Please note, if wind directions change, we can alter the trip to paddle from Tallowa Dam to Bendeela Picnic Area. This is also a fabulous route on the water.�
Is it suitable for beginners?
Tania Patison
23/11/2023
Amazing weekend camping (no reception was amazing!!)
Was an amazing weekend with a great group of women!! Thanks Sandra! Totally recommend this trip!
Rebecca Brady
27/03/2023
Shoalhaven Gorge Review
I always have an amazing time when I head out with Women Want Adventure. If you're on the fence, be brave and book - I did and haven't looked back!
Helen Mcdonnell
07/10/2021
Shoalhaven Gorge Testimonial
LOVED, loved this trip. Take me back. Thank you Mon for the spring rolls around the campfire and your home made brownies! Didn't think I would swim in the river but glad I did. I would like to come back for a two night trip. Just amazing!
Claire Hallwood
16/11/2022
I would do this trip again and again!!!
I don't know where to start! Exceeded all my expectations from day one. Our guide Monique worked non stop to make sure we had the trip of a lifetime! The group bonded like old friends and quickly fell into a routine in camp. You truly get out of this experience a two days of absolute wilderness. I’m honestly shocked that I’ve never even heard of the Shoalhaven Gorge let alone knew you could canoe up there living close in Wollongong! Even getting to swim at camp and then eating Mon’s food!!! Wow, that woman can cook! I would like to say thank you to the group and Mon for a truly memorable experience, it wouldn't have been the same without you all!!!!!😃
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