Georges River
The Georges River is a mostly wide river that runs through the southwest of Sydney eventually flowing into Botany Bay. Whilst running though the city, Sydney’s urban spread is hardly noticeable, and it is a pleasant day paddle. The club often paddles to Chipping Norton Lake from Picnic Point or for a longer paddle from Georges River National Park.
From Liverpool the Georges River is tidal and can easily flow at a few km/hr. It is best to plan any paddle so that the tide assists each way. This river is wide. In places you may encounter fast moving power boats.
Picnic Point to Chipping Norton Lake
The club most often launches in the morning from Lambeth Reserve but other options include Sandy Point Boat Ramp (on the opposite bank) or Revesby Beach in the Georges River National Park (Park fees apply) with the aim of reaching Grand Flaneur Beach for lunch. The return distances are 24km from Lambeth Reserve or 32km from Revesby Beach. There can be significant tidal flow in this part of the river and therefore it is best to plan your paddle so that high tide at Chipping Norton coincides with lunch.
This is a pretty section of river with long stretches of parkland and reserves forming the river banks. It is easy to forget that you are paddling in Sydney. You will pass under several road or foot bridges and under the path of planes from Bankstown airport as you approach Chipping Norton Lake. In some locations you may encounter very fast speed boats so it is best to keep to the side of the river.
Upstream of Chipping Norton Lake
From Chipping Norton Lake the river can be paddled as far as the weir adjacent to Liverpool Train Station a distance of a little over 4km. Whilst there are a few nice pots on this section it tends to become increasingly polluted with rubbish and is therefore not the nicest part of the river to paddle.
The river may also be paddled downstream towards Botany Bay. Past Alfords Point Bridge the river becomes wider and more estuary in nature. There are many bays to explore in this section of river.