KAYAK SAFARI: Cudgen Creek (near Kingscliff)

ARIE HAS SAID THAT HE IS HAPPY TO DO THE SAFARI ON THE SATURDAY AND THE SUNDAY, IF WE HAVE TOO MANY PEOPLE WANTING TO COME OR IF THERE ARE SOME KEEN KAYAKERS WHO ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON SATURDAY. AT THIS STAGE, I'LL JUST SCHEDULE THE SATURDAY EVENT, BUT PLEASE EMAIL ME AT [masked] IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO SCHEDULE A REPEAT ON SUNDAY.

I know we have some keen kayakers in the group and, others, like me who don't have their own craft but love to get out on the water when they can. So ... Arie has suggested a kayaking safari for July.

He and Marilyn have checked out Cudgen Creek at Kingscliff and say that is is a great introductory paddle, especially for inexperienced kayakers. We've picked this particular weekend because the tides will be most favourable - by leaving at the appointed time, we should be able to kayak up the creek on the incoming tide, have some time at the lake for lunch and then come back on the outgoing tide so it will really only involve light paddling and keeping the boat straight.

Arie estimates that it will be about two hours to get to Cudgen Lake, say one hour to paddle around there and have some lunch and two hours to get back to the starting point - so five hours all up.

BARBEQUE BRUNCH
There is a reserve at Cudgen Lake with barbeques where we'll cook up bacon and eggs for brunch so, all in all, it should be a really lovely day. To save everyone mucking around, I'll get the food and just divvy up the cost between however many people we have - I can't imagine it will work out to very much per head.

KAYAK HIRE:
Tweed Coast Adventures have given me a couple of prices, depending on numbers. Worst case scenario is $40 per kayak - they have 5 x 3-seaters, 5 x 2-seaters and 2 x singles. I think the fairest way to work it out is to divide the total amount by the number of people who need to hire a kayak so it should be less than $20 per person.

If you are bringing your own kayak, could you please let me know if you have room for a spare 'bottom' - i.e. if it's a double and you haven't filled the extra seat.

NUMBERS:
We can take up to 27 people in the hire kayaks, plus whoever has their own kayak.

MEETUP LOCATION:
I've marked the exact location on a google map which you should be able to access by clicking here. Alternatively, try the following link:
http://maps.google.co...

If you head towards Peppers/Mantra at Salt Village, Pointbreak Circuit is the second street on your left as you drive from Salt Village NORTH along Casuarina Way. Park in the carpark and walk along the pedestrian footpath a little way and you'll see the Boathouse.

WHAT TO BRING:
Sunscreen, fleecy, spray jacket and whatever else you need to keep warm! We will be trying our best NOT to get wet but you'll probably want to wear swimmers or boardshorts under all that.

OUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY PHILOSOPHY:
The Gold Coast Hiking Meetup Group is not a registered association or official club - it's really just a group of people walking together. As such, we cannot be held responsible for any accidents or injuries that may happen at or occur as a result of our events. We also cannot provide any guidance on fitness levels required. I always try to include the description from the NPWS websites but basically, it's up to individual members to decide whether they are hale and hearty enough to undertake the walk. We like to call this our 'PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY' philosophy!