Thinking about trying canoeing for the first time? Kangaroo Valley is one of the best places in Australia to begin. With calm stretches of the Shoalhaven River, beautiful escarpment scenery and abundant wildlife, a canoe adventure here is both relaxing and accessible for beginners. At Valley Outdoors, we guide first-time paddlers every week and many quickly discover that canoeing is far easier and more enjoyable than they expected.

Autumn has a gentler feel to it. The air cools slightly, the light softens and everything seems to slow down just enough to breathe properly again. For families thinking about canoeing with kids, this season offers some of the most comfortable and relaxed conditions of the year. Here’s what makes Autumn such a lovely time to get on the water together.

The best time to canoe in NSW comes down to one thing: balanced river conditions.
When water flow is steady, levels are moderate and temperatures are comfortable, paddling feels easier. That’s exactly why March is one of our favourite months to be on the water.

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!