Whales Off Fraser Island Paddle

Interested in a semi-guided trip that allows you to paddle with Humpback Whales and camp 2 nights on a pristine part of Fraser Island? This trip is open to padders of sea kayaks, ski's and fishing kayaks.

We'll meet in Hervey Bay on the Friday night, at 9:30pm, to discuss details for the following day. (A later arrival will be fine as accommodation will be booked and we will be up early in the morning allowing time for final arrangements)

Slower paddlers will have the option to load kayaks/gear on to our support boat to Moon Point, leaving themselves a 14km paddle along Platypus Bay to our campsite. (We were going to use the barge to Moon Point but they have recently stopped running this service). The rest of the group will depart from Urangan Harbour for the 28km paddle to our designated camp, passing Big Woody Island and Pelican Bank on the way across.We will spend 2 nights at the same camp allowing plenty of time on the second day to paddle out and hopefully get up close to some whales. Fishermen will have a chance to wet a line.  Day 3 will see us break camp and either paddle back to Moon Point for the support boat or all the way back to Urangan Harbour.

Date :  Saturday 9th Oct to Mon 11th Oct ‘10

Cost:  $190 per person ($150 for Adventure Outlet VIP Members) Includes:

• 2 nights camping fees on Fraser Island

• 1 night accommodation in Hervey Bay on the Friday night

• CD with photos & slideshow of the trip

• assistance with individual preparation of gear and/or skills for the trip

• optional instruction & tips throughout the trip from a Level 2 Sea Kayak Instructor

• logistics & risk management of the trip

This is the total cost if participants organise their own transport to Hervey Bay and are self sufficient with their own food & camping gear. This trip is being run as a trip of the GC Paddlers Group.

Other possible costs

• Support boat to Moon Point - $27 each way

• Transportation of gear to and from the campsite - $40 - available for ski paddlers and other paddlers with limited storage capacity in their kayak.

• Car Pooling will be offered/encouraged to share the costs of getting there, and make driving safer by having a number of drivers in each vehicle. $75 is the suggested amount to chip in if catching a lift with someone else.

Requirements

• Minimum kayak requirements are a kayak at least 4m long, with a rudder/skeg. All sit-in kayaks must be fitted with front and rear bulkheads.

• All paddlers must wear/carry a PFD, have a paddle/leg leash and carry adequate food & water for the duration of the paddle

• Ski paddlers will be allowed to race but asked to regroup at Pelican Bank (8km) and then again 1 hour later (should be just before the camp)

• Sea Kayakers and Kayak fisherman will paddle across as 2 pods, a faster group and a slower group. All paddlers in these groups must be able to average at least 5km per hour for the duration of the crossing

• Hobie Adventure Islands can travel at their own pace but must not be behind the slowest sea kayak pod

• Paddlers going across on the barge will get to Moon Point first and can make their way north in Platepus Bay at their leisure

• Any paddlers unsure about the suitability of their craft or their ability to undertake the trip must talk to me about this early in the planning stage. I may suggest additional training or gear requirements

Availability

Limited places are available so call today to express your interest!  Contact Craig at Adventure Outlet www.adventureoutlet.com.au or phone 07 5571 2929.