OURIMBAH CREEK KAYAK - 4 JANUARY 2017

I woke early and drove with lights on so it was pretty early. I passed the beaches and there was enough light to see that it was an onshore wind blowing. I decided to keep to my plan of a kayak at Ourimbah Creek.


I parked behind the Chittaway Shopping Centre and there was an easy launch into the creek.

At the beginning, I passed under the Wyong Road bridge and after the a short distance the birds became the dominate sound. they were squawking and screeching in the trees and flying here and there. They must have just woken up. :)

I continued and my next experience were lizards. They were in the trees, on the shore or lying still in the water with their heads above the surface. They weren't in a friendly mood and they took flight even when I was a fair distance away.

The second event was the railway bridge. I passed under it as a train was travelling on it. It was so loud and thunderous. No wonder the animals were quiet in this section.

A short distance later was a low walled weir and the pylons of the old railway bridge. It was a bit tricky getting over the weir with out toppling into the water. I wandered around on the area crossing over the weir and rocks then following a track for a short distance along the banks of the creek towards the west.

I had two more obstacles where I had to porter the kayak. these were fun as there was always the possibility of having an unintentional dip.

The end of the journey was a large and long blockage of intertwined branches across the creek and its banks.

An adventurous and challenging 7.7 km kayak.

I stopped at Terrigal Haven on the way home and joined Jacinta for coffee. After that, I had a refreshing swim.

Later, my daughter and I went to the Haven where she had a sunbake and I had another swim.

Looking forward to a family dinner out tonight.

CENTRAL COAST - Ourimbah Creek - car bogged - 16 September 2011

I was off for a kayak.

I studied the map to find a launch spot for Ourimbah Creek. It seemed to me that I found a good spot off Fleet Close. So off I went.

The dirt road was very deeply rutted but staying on the higher parts of the road...no worries. I went quite a distance and was getting a little to confident. There was one more steep section to drive and I'd be close enough to the creek. Well, I should have checked. I went over the crest then 'Bam', the base of the car was sitting on the crest with no traction for the wheels.

I tried to dig and put some supports under the tyres but it was no use. A call to the NRMA and one hour later I was out. The rescuer informed me I was in an informal bike track. Godd judgement on my part.

Then I picked a better spot to park and launch the kayak.

CENTRAL COAST - Ourimbah Creek - kayak - 16 September 2011

A sunny day with a light wind. Off for a kayak.

I decided to try to launch from a dirt road off Tuggerah. It looked good but unfortunately, the car became stuck on the high side of crest. I rang the NRMA, and and hour later I was on the move again.

I parked and launched near the bridge on Wyong Road. Luck was with me and against me as I lost the oar then the kayak then the oar again on launching, then nearly capsizing. i figured it couldn't get much worst so away I went.
The creek began to surprise me after I went under Wyong Road. There were lots of birds to be seen and heard. Further along, There were a number of water dragons on the shore and in overhanging branches. even a turtle was basking on a group of floating sticks.

At the weir near the railway bridge, I had to carry the kayak over the rocks. From this point on, the creek started to fill with fallen trees and branches. These were fun to find a way to pass - some i went over and some i went under.

Eventually, the water became shallower and a large tree put an end to the journey. i walked around for awhile enjoying the solitude and eating lunch.

It was a great kayak!

time: 3 1/2 hours