Crisp mornings, golden sunlight, and mist rising off the river. Winter in Kangaroo Valley has a quiet magic that invites families to slow down and reconnect. With a balance of outdoor adventure and cosy indoor experiences, it is the perfect season to explore together. From paddling the Shoalhaven River to warming up in local cafes, this is your guide to making the most of the winter school holidays.
Planning a paddling trip in Kangaroo Valley but not sure whether to choose a canoe or a kayak? Both have their strengths. At Valley Outdoors, we’ve helped thousands of adventurers hit the water, and we know the decision often comes down to how you like to paddle, what gear you’re carrying, and the type of trip you’re after. Here’s our guide to help you choose the right craft for your next adventure.
Have you ever got out of the wrong side of the bed? Well, I’m guilty of getting out of the wrong side of a canoe. While the situation itself was quite humorous, the story doesn’t read so well in text, so I’ll spare you the story. Suffice to say, I ended up wet and the lessons for what you can do if you also happen to find yourself “out of your depth” (so to speak) are worth knowing if you plan on jumping in a canoe.
The stern rudder is a foundational paddling stroke – nail this one and you’ll feel much more confident on the water. As a novice paddler, you can quickly feel frustrated when your canoe doesn’t go where you want it to. Most people can figure out how to make a canoe go forward, but making it go straight… well!
Hiking or bushwalking? We’re not here to get into an argument about the language. Whichever one you choose; you still pack the same stuff. Here’s what we take when we go out for a short adventure in the bush.
We love canoeing. And we especially love just messing about in boats. These are some of our favourite games to play when we’re out on the water. We hope you like them too.
The great thing about a half day canoeing adventure is how easy it is to just go. Unlike a full day of paddling which requires a bit more planning to make sure you have the food you’ll need for a longer adventure and are ready for whatever the weather may throw at you later in the day, a half day splash doesn’t need much thought beyond looking out the window and seeing what the sky above has in store for you.
You don’t need to know any technical terms to be able to enjoy canoeing, but if you want to sound like you know what you’re talking about then start with this handy guide.
Unexpected capsizes are rare when canoeing, but no one wants to get all their gear wet when they haven’t planned for it. Waterproofing your gear is easy and can be cheap too. Most waterproof solutions also result in gear that floats – a critical consideration so that it doesn’t end up on the bed of the waterway. Here are our top tips for waterproofing.
Canoe paddles come in so many sizes, shapes and materials. But to have fun you only need one. This handy guide will tell you why – out of all the paddle designs across the globe – you’ll typically only find two different types of paddles in most canoes across Australia.
