Port Hacking Estuary

The Port Hacking Estuary is in South Sydney’s Sutherlandshire. It is fed from the Hacking River that originates in the Royal National Park. The estuary can be paddled from its tidal reach at the Audley Weir to its heads at Cronulla and the Royal National Park near Bundeena. The estuary has many bays on its northern side, running into the suburbs. On its southern side is the Royal National Park and there are some wonderful creeks that provide access into the National Park. A chart of the estuary can be found here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-07/9f-port-hacking.pdf

Throughout the year, the River Canoe regularly paddles the Port Hacking Estuary. It offers a good variety of paddling opportunities for beginners through to experienced paddlers.  In places it is sheltered and enclosed by bushland. Many bays are lined with luxury houses, marinas and mooring for yachts providing plenty of interest. There are stretches of open water that can be choppy especially where currents flow. Tidal flows can be significant. At Simpson’s Bay, near Bundeena, surf is often available to play in.  Close to the heads’ paddlers can experience more open water and ocean swell.  As this is a shared waterway, paddlers need to be mindful of fast moving boats and, where possible, avoid paddling in deep water channels when power boats are nearby.

There are numerous places to launch a kayak or canoe. Listed below are some of the club’s favourites launch spots and destinations.

Audley – Reids Flat Picnic Area

Reids Flat is in the Royal National Park a few hundred meters from the Audley Weir. It is sheltered and the water is generally still unless after significant rain. As this is at one end of the Port Hacking Estuary, it provides a great starting location for anyone wishing a significant paddle towards Bundeena and the heads. It is also a safe place to practice certain paddle skills such as rolls, exits and rescues. If a long paddle is planned it is a good idea to find a day when the tides assist.

Whilst some powerboats may be encountered these should be travelling slowly as speed limits are in place between Audley and Grays Point. 

Yowie Bay

Yowie Bay is one of many bays that run into the Sutherlandshire suburbs that is surrounded by housing. It has an excellent public boat ramp to launch, although this can become busy. The bay has several marinas and many yachts making it an interesting place to paddle. Yowie Bay also provides easy access to the southern side of Port Hacking Estuary, including the South West Arm.Bonnievale and Simpsons Bay

Bonnievale and Simpsons Bay

Bonnievale is a beach located in the Royal National close to Bundeena. It sits on Simpsons bay which, in the right conditions can be a heap of fun. Bonnievale provides a great place to launch kayaks, bit can become very busy in the summer. This is because it is a family friendly beach with calm water that shelves very slowly. The bay has a large sandbar that, in places, can become exposed at low tide. Simpsons Bay is often flat but in right conditions the swell from the ocean, 2km away, creates very nicely formed waves across the sandbar. These waves are a popular surfing by kayakers and paddle boards. They are an excellent place for a group of kayakers to practice important skills in relative safety whilst having a lot of fun.

Cabbage Tree Basin

Cabbage Tree Basin is nestled behind Bonnievale. It is reached via a shallow inlet on the southwestern corner of the beach leading to a narrow foot bridge that can be paddled under. It is a large, sheltered bay surrounded by low cliffs and trees and is well worth a visit. Avoid low tide as then the basin is too shallow to paddle. At the far end of the basin is a creek running to a small waterfall.

With such a narrow entrance to a large bay the tidal flow rushes under the footbridge. Large tides provide an excellent opportunity to safety play in a strong current and practice river skills such as breaking in and out of the flow, ferry gliding and rope rescue. Capsizes are likely so only paddle in if flow if you are confident to wet exit. Beware also of oyster shells around the bridge.