Sea Kayaking

This was going to be my first sea kayaking experience so I was a little apprehensive about it given I am not a strong swimmer and that the kayaks are not that stable. Nevertheless this was something I had to accomplish if I was going to do this in Antarctica. I knew that this was going to be the first of many trips to get my ability to a level where I would be confident and capable of safely doing this in the big icy sea. 

Getting ready

 

The sea kayak experience started with learning the basic strokes, such as paddling forward in an efficient manner, stopping, turning, going backwards, going sideways and support strokes to prevent capsizing. I didn’t realise there were so many different types of strokes, and this was just the basics. After learning this, it was onto practising rolling under water and getting out of the skirt whilst upside down. This was something I wasn’t looking forward to and my heart was beating fast. If I was on dry land I would also have felt my sweaty palms. I could feel a certain level of anxiety but knew that this was part of the experience and that it would past.

Support stroke to prevent capsizing

Getting back in assisted

As part of learning to get out of the kayak whilst underwater, we also learnt how to get back in assisted and unassisted. Doing it unassisted is extremely difficult requiring lots of balance and patience, something I haven’t yet learnt. I had seen on Youtube about eskimo rolls where you would right your kayak up whilst still inside unassisted. The instructor said this would normally take about 2 years to learn, time that I didn’t have. By the end of the day I was tired and somewhat seasick but feeling exhilarated and a lot less anxious. It’s amazing how having classes and practice makes such a huge difference.  

After learning all the basics, our first open water paddle was going to be out to Half Moon Bay to where the Cerberus is situated. The Cerberus is a British warship which was scuttled in 1926 to form a breakwater. On the day we did this, we had around half a metre swells and 10 knot winds, equivalent to 18.5km per hour.

This was a paddle where I got to lead the group, even though I had no idea where the sunken ship and various hidden reefs were. I had no idea why they choose me to do this given I have no experience whatever in this - I was hoping that this wouldn't turn out to be a big mistake on their behalf. The planning and leading aspects were very similar to hike trips, where you had to be prepared, such as; making sure you leave details about your trip intentions with others before setting off, checking the weather, ensuring you have the right emergency equipment, determine an appropriate route, look out for various landmarks along the way, check on your companions and be aware of what’s in front of you. 

 

On the way back we practiced how to tie the kayaks together and tow in the event that one of the paddlers was injured and unable to paddle. It was fun being towed, but not so much doing the towing. All up the kayaking was lots of fun and hopefully a forward step to what will be a scary and memorable journey. One of the most exciting thing I learnt was that you could incorporate kayaking with camp trips, but this will have to come later.

Towing

Mungo National Park

Arumpo Road

Day one

This was going to be our second attempt at Mungo. We had intended to go to Mungo last year but had to cancel on account of half the park being under water from flooding. All was looking forward to the trip, although none of us were looking forward to the early start or the long drive. According to Google map it was going to take 11 hours from Melbourne, but from experience this didn’t seem correct. Experience was right on this occassion. 

Our first decision was to determine whether we could fit all our gear into one car, and after loading the first two persons' gear in, it was clear this was going to be impossible, unless my car had tardis like abilities. Alas this was not the case so we resorted to two vehicles. This also meant the travel hair dryer could come along on the trip which pleased everyone except me.

Before we even left home we got lost on our way to our meeting point in Port Melbourne, so this was a shaky start on account of my trusty navigator and my driving. We put this down to the twists and turns of the area in addition to lack of caffeine. Eventually we made it to our meeting point, a few minutes late. First stop was coffee to get everyone awake at a local coffee shop.

Our drive to Mungo was via the Calder Highway, but it wasn’t long before we had to make toilet stops. Based on the current toilet stop trend it was going to be a long drive so the toilet stop rule was initiated. We attempted to see how long we could drive until we couldn’t hold any longer, and it was remarkable to see how mind can overcome body if required, although I was worried that someone might not be able to control themselves. Luckily this person was in the second car, so my car was safe. 

There are two access points to Mungo from Mildura, either via Arumpo Road which was a 110 km drive along mostly dirt track, or via Top Hut Road just south of Poncarrie which would require a longer detour (approximately 180km) but only 60km on dirt road. This time around we decided to try out the Arumpo Road way and fortunately for us this turned out to be the more efficient route, saving us about an hour’s drive. The road conditions on Arumpo were actually similar to the dirt road on Top Hut, only a longer stretch. 

We eventually made it to Mungo late in the afternoon and looked forward to some booze and a rest. During our unpacking it became evident that disaster had struck – I had left one of my bottles of wine at home sitting in the fridge. I was thinking how am I going to survive with just one bottle of wine and two beers for three nights. By that stage I told my friends that I was going to be relying on their kind hospitality and bottles of wine.

Day two

Our plan for today was to do the 60km circuit around Mungo. First stop was the Walls of China. Upon arriving there, to my surprise I discovered that access to the Walls are now restricted beyond the viewing platform. The reason provided for limiting access was to prevent further erosion, and it was clear that since my last visit about five months ago there had been extensive damage to the area, mainly due to the extensive rainfall. It just goes to show how mother nature can be such a powerful force, and makes me wonder if climate change is a contributing factor.

After the Walls of China we visited various sites along the circuit. On this occasion I had decided to bring along my boogie board to do some sand surfing at Vigars Well. I wasn’t sure if it was going to work but it did! The hardest part though was climbing back up the soft sand. After a bit of sun baking and more exploring we headed back to where we were staying.

60 km circuit

Walls of China April 2012

Walls of China December 2011

Sand surfing at Vigars Well

 

Day three

A few of us had decided to get up before sunrise and drive to the Walls of China again to see the sun rise. Even though it was going to be difficult getting up so early and trying to not wake others, we were hoping that it was going to be worth the effort. My buddies had warned me the night before I would be in big trouble if I woke them so I had to be as quiet as possible. Luckily I succeeded in this so they were able to have their beauty sleep, which was evident upon my return. Sunrise at Mungo is such a special time not only in terms of the softer light but also being such a sacred and special place for the indigenous people who have a long connection to the land. It was actually here at Mungo that Mungo man and Mungo woman were discovered, believed to have existed about 60,000 years ago.

Later on in the day we had decided to join a discovery tour by the Parks Discovery rangers which allowed us access onto the Walls and provided us with a better history and understanding of the place. This tour is definitely recommended as it gives participants a better appreciation of the story and people that used to inhabit Mungo. The tour also included information on the various edible bush tucker available, including the bush tomatoes that grew on the saltbushes. We were blessed with a rendition by one of the guides at the conclusion of the tour.  

Sunrise at Walls of China

Saltbush with edible tomatoes

Mungo National Park Shearer's Quarters

Summary:	Hostel style clean and affordable accommodation.
Date of visit:	April 2012
Access:	Arumpo Road (1.5 hours on dirt road from Mildura) or Top Hut Road south of Poncarrie (2.5 hours from Mildura). Arumpo Road access is the recommended road. Both access roads can get muddy if wet. Check with Parks first.
Remoteness:	8 hours drive from Melbourne (via Arumpo Road).
Water:	Drinking water in kitchen and visitor centr.
Camp sites:	Camping available at other sites within park.
Toilets:	Communal flush toilets and showers. Hot water is intermittent, dependent on gas pressure.
Comments:	Shearer’s quarters have 5 hostel style rooms, all with air conditioning/heating. Rooms 1 and 2 have three single bunk beds. Rooms 3 and 4 have a double and two single bunk beds. Room 5 is smaller with a double and single bunk on top (sleeps 3). Cost is $30 per person per night and whole room can be booked out for cost of $50 per night.

Outdoor area

Caving at Britannia Creek (Yarra Junction) Caves

I was excited with this trip as it was my first caving adventure. I was hoping that it was going to be a day full of crawling, squeezing through tight crevices, glowworms, and getting wet and dirty. By the end of the day I was not disappointed and look forward to coming back again.

The cave network has a number of entrances and exits, going in 15 metres so is ideal for a beginners caving experience. Britannia Creek runs through the caves so check the weather forecast first for safety.

Squeezing through a tight hole

Directions

The Yarra Junction caves, also known as Britannia Caves, are located approximately 10 minutes drive out from Yarra Junction. Yarra Junction is reached via the Warbuton Highway out from Lilydale, best reached via the Eastern Freeway. It takes about one and a quarter hour to get to Yarra Junction.

Once at Yarra Junction, drive a few hundred metres on Warburton Highway until you reach the turn off for Tarrango Road. Turn right and drive until you get to Guidehouse Road. Turn left and follow this until you get onto Britannia Creek Road. Follow this dirt track for a few hundred metres until you reach a section large enough for about 8 vehicles to park. Park here.  The caves are about 50 metres back on the right hand side of the dirt road back towards Yarra Junction. The entrances to the caves are a set of boulders.

Boulder entrance

Equipment

• Long sleeve pants and tops (e.g. hiking pants and thick cotton shirt)
• Runners (that you don’t mind getting wet)
• Helmet
• Head torch
• String
• Dishwashing gloves (for crawling around and to stop abrasions on your hands)
• Knee pads (good to have)
• Spare change of clothes , towel and shoes
• Water to wash hands