Some adventures whisper to your heart before you even arrive. Paddling into the wild beauty of Kangaroo Valley’s Lake Yarrunga is one of those journeys - a timeless experience of stillness, challenge, and wonder that speaks to all generations
Downstream of the beloved village of Kangaroo Valley, the waters of the Shoalhaven and Kangaroo Rivers merge at a place known as Lake Yarrunga - a man-made lake formed by Tallowa Dam. But the story doesn’t start and end with a reservoir. This is a place where the rivers once met freely, and still do in spirit.
'Yarrunga' is said to mean the meeting of 2 rivers - and it truly is. When you push off in your canoe from Tallowa Dam, you’re entering a deep sandstone gorge carved by time, where nature’s power and stillness exist side by side. It’s a place where families, friends, and solo adventurers alike can disconnect from the digital and reconnect with what matters.
Canoe camping might sound bold - but it’s more accessible than you think. That’s the beauty of Kangaroo Valley’s wilderness paddling. The water is flat, the route is flexible, and with the right support (that’s us!), almost anyone can do it.
Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a first-timer, the Shoalhaven Gorge welcomes you in.
We see:
The pace is up to you. Paddle hard or drift slow. Set up basecamp or keep moving. It’s your story.
What sets this trip apart isn’t just the accessibility - it’s the sheer beauty.
Picture towering sandstone cliffs, ancient eucalyptus forest, shy rock wallabies, and mirror-like water stretching for kilometres. There are no cars, no phone towers - just the rustle of wind in the casuarinas and the sound of the drips from your paddle.
Stop for picnics along sandy riverbanks. Swim in deep, tea-coloured pools. Find hidden waterfalls. Share stories in camp. Sleep to the symphony of nature all around you.
At Valley Outdoors, we specialise in making this experience accessible. We supply:
We also offer pre-paddle briefings, packing advice, and route suggestions for beginners through to confident wilderness campers.
For many, canoeing through this gorge is more than recreation - it’s reverence. These waters run through Yuin Country, Gangagruwan, home of the Wodi Wodi people, and we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians whose stories and stewardship shape this land.
We paddle with respect - for the land, the people, and the lessons still to be learned. And when we stop for breath, we listen. The country always speaks when we’re quiet enough to hear.
Whether it’s your first canoe trip or your fiftieth, this stretch of river will surprise you. It reminds us that adventure doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful.
“We’d never done anything like this before. But Valley Outdoors made it feel easy. We saw wedge-tailed eagles, cooked on a camp stove, and had the best sleep of our lives under the stars. It’s now a tradition we’ll repeat every year.”
– Laura & Marcus, Wollongong
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