Kayak camping/touring trip suggestions

[geoskid]

Hi all,
I'm looking for suggestions for Kayak camping/touring trips on our Lakes and Rivers (not white water). The plan is to explore
from waters edge camps, and initially any walks would be day walks from there, or even just fish and relax at camp.
So ideas for itineraries, and info on special campsites, points of interest, particularly beautiful must see places (arn't they all?), bases for walks etc.etc..
We have a 2 person kayak that we have only used at the beach on sunny Sunday afternoons, and would like to start doing some trips.
Thanks

[kramster]

Lake St Clair could be an option - stopping at Echo Point and Narcissus (maybe even get to Mt Ida if you are after a tricky climb).

Lake Pedder... and climb Mt Solitary perhaps.

When tripping down the West Coast a couple of years back, we did the touristy Gordon River cruise thing - and a couple of folks had arranged to be ferried up Gordon River a bit, from where they left the crusie with their kit and kayaked further upstream from the traditional tourist spot (Heritage Landing)... looked like an awesome idea. Not sure if camping areas around here, but Kelly Basin / Pillinger just north of the Gordon River mouth is a nice place to stop (end of the Bird River Track).

[eggs]

I'm envious - not living in Tasmania makes kayaking a bit difficult.

But my long term planning has toyed with the idea of proceeding up Peddar and using it as a base for day walks up into the Frankland Range along the old access routes people used prior to the flooding of the lake.
It should be straightforward to climb Mt Frankland, and most of the range up to Coronation. Ideally the middle section might be a loop of 2 or 3 days from the kayak.

[stepbystep]

On a recent trip up Mt Sprent we discussed eggs notion as an alternate way to get into the heart of the Franlands, also Kramster's idea of Mt Solitary looks great.

The other area I would consider is Southport Lagoon - check out aerial photo's of that and tell me it wouldn't be great for kayaking, also Recherche Bay in this area would be great.

[sthughes]

Depends on the sort of kayak as to what's doable as far as distances go (I.e. Kelly Basin is a long way in a sit on top like mine).
Arthur River is supposed to be good.
Pieman River down at the heads (not a long paddle but can camp on the beach to make it an overnighter)
I imagine most of the Hydro Lakes would be nice.

[DonQx]

very nice camping with big sandy beach just north of Mt Ida / Lake St Clair

Pieman River from Corinna, go up or down

Meadowbank Lake on the Derwent, mostly surrounded by private land tho

[sthughes]

Just found this interesting site, thought you might all be interested: http://www.paddletasmania.canoe.org.au/default.asp?Page=15629

Cheers,
Simon

[DonQx]

The other area I would consider is Southport Lagoon - check out aerial photo's of that and tell me it wouldn't be great for kayaking, also Recherche Bay in this area would be great.

you need a high clearance 4WD to get into the lagoon, unless you brave the bar & surf at the entrance to the sea

Recherche Bay is tops. some pics here http://www.seakayakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=183

Some Lake St C and Meadowbank Lake pics at http://ahack.org/ under Photos / Kayaking

on the run

a.

[daznkez]

Hi Geoskid
We also like a paddle to break up the pack laden footslogging, and we can fit a full esky in the canoe!
As noted here the Pieman is an excellent paddling destination. Upstream toward Reece dam is an easy day with Whyte river and other tributaries with an interesting gold mining history. Downstream to the heads can be a longish day with the obligatory headwind and depending on tides. Mid stream camping is almost non existent, though we cleared a nice camp under old Huon many years back, just opposite the junction with the Donaldson. The Savage river has a great shipwreck just a short distance upstream. Both the Donaldson and Savage have a good deal of fallen trees, meaning lots of humping the boat over to make progress. Read some history and you might find some other gold era locations around the junction of the Savage. At the heads the public camping is pretty poor and is not at the public jetty and shack sites, but about 1km further on the same(south) bank in sandy scrub(bring water).On another trip we camped on the north bank of the heads where the old vehicle track meets the water near a solitary shack (bring water). The camping is average but there is good access to walks up the coastline. You can also get the old huon ship "Arcadia" to take your boat for you to or from the heads if you run out of puff.
Last month we did a great trip on Lake King William out from Butlers gorge, through the narrows to the Guelph basin. This gives you easier access to the southern end of the King William range. Camping is easy, though the lake chops up in a westerly (usual!). There is a good short walk up to lake rufus and the under repair rufus hut.
As noted Recherche, Southport narrows, Esperance narrows are all easy access marine trips on the south coast.
Good luck with it