Trip Reports | Cooks River and Botany Bay

Cooks River Alliance Paddle

Cooks River, Wolli Creek and Botany Bay

13 January 2020

By JOHN MADDOX

This trip was undertaken by the Cooks River Alliance, who host a significant trip each year associated with the Cooks River.

Last year they cycled the length of the Cooks River and back. This year was a paddle led by Sue Burton. Paddlers were Sue, Cat, Ben, Heather and John.

We set off about 10am. It was a big tide and we were paddling with it.  The Cooks River was glistening and we were making good time. We paddled 7km upstream to around Rosedale Reserve before poor water quality forced us to turn around. So 14km return to the Clubhouse where we had lunch.  The water was level with the grass, so just a roll out of your boat and you were on terra firma.

After lunch we paddled 2km up Wolli Creek to the weir (4km return). Wolli Creek was something special at high tide. We then headed out to the breakwater at Botany Bay—against the wind and chop going, with the wind coming back. A further 6.5km so about 24.5 km for the round trip.