Byron Bay, Northern NSW (Flickr Credit: dan.proud)
Over the past month I’ve been thinking alot about kayak camping. Not the type where you drive with a house-load of crap to a caravan park with a kayak on the roof (not that there’s anything wrong with that!), but the type where you paddle with basic camping gear in your kayak to a secret location where you can enjoy some peace and solitude either on your own or with a friend or two.
Bouddi National Park, NSW (Flickr Credit: Harlz)
Fortunately I live in a vast country which has everything from tropical reefs to snow-capped mountains (and pretty much everything else in between). Even my home state of New South Wales has a vast range of different climates, geological features and wildlife, so choosing somewhere to go “commando camping” is proving to be fun by itself.
Sussex Inlet, South Coast, NSW (Flickr Credit: flanno2610)
I still have plenty of time to explore all the different destinations as I slowly put together the right kit, but I thought I’d share a few pictures of locations just within my state. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll get to explore them yourself. Cheers – FP
Myall Lakes, Central Coast, NSW (Flickr Credit: Jockal)
Darling River, NSW Outback (Flickr Credit: Parkaboy)
Nelson Bay, Central Coast, NSW (Flickr Credit: Ken_Aussie)
Jervis Bay, South Coast, NSW (Flickr Credit: Katie_Princess)
Regular visitors at Jervis Bay, NSW (Flickr Credit: Life_with_Jordy)
If I lived in Australia, Jervis Bay would be a destination, 🙂 I did a kayak camping trip a few months ago and wrote a trip report. It is in the October archives at my website if you are interested in reading it. Cheers!
Good morning, don’t think too hard about what you need to get out there with, just start going. Start with easy trips and work up, get a decent sleeping bag and a Thermarest or similar, you’ve got to be warm when your out there , and always think lite and ask yourself “do I really need this piece of kit?”.
I’m sold on Nelson Bay. The second I saw the picture I knew exactly where I’d put my tent.
I hear you Bryan, and it’s less than a 2 hour drive from Sydney!
We’ll what’s stopping you? There better be a trip report soon.
Not much Bryan, other than work, spending time with my two toddlers, maintaining a balance with my wife & managing prior travel and social engagements. Oh, and the fact I dont yet have all the basic equipment! 😛
My favourite spots are Clayoquot Sound off the West Coast of Vancouver Island (did a 10 day trip there in ’08 and still dream about it) and Desolation Sound, also off Vancouver Island but on the East Coast. Then of course there’s Telegraph Cove with the Broughton Archipelago and Sophia Islands off the north end of the Island if you like orcas, humpbacks, and dolphins… If you ever come up this way, let me know! I’ll be your guide 🙂
Otherwise I’d love to check out the Baja Peninsula in Mexico and I’ve heard great things about Thailand and the Philippines. Australia looks good too! I’d better get on this bucket list, it’s growing by the second… LOL
Goodness — ALL of those destinations are just dreamy. You are SO lucky to live where you do. Just breathtaking!
Thanks for sharing those beautiful pics of those amazing, pristine-looking places. I’m hoping to get to see some of them one day, particularly kayak camping like you talk about. Just wondering, what’s the legal situation with just putting in on a beach and pitching your tent? Where I live, in France, it’s illegal but usually OK if you are quiet about it.
Happy paddling.
Well, it’s similar here, but I won’t tell anyone if you don’t. 😉