PackFest 2026

*Please note that spaces on this trip will be limited due to factors like leader and gear availability, transport capacity for kayaks, and having suitable weather conditions and river levels.*

**Submission of this form does not guarantee attendance to the trip - the trip organiser will contact you to confirm your attendance. Preference will be given to participants with more previous experience.**

Trip Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate rafting, Intermediate/Advanced kayaking

Trip location: Mitta Mitta and surrounds

Trip time: Depart Friday arvo/evening, return Sunday evening (18-20th Sept)

Estimated trip cost: about $100-150 (including activity gear hire - depends on how expensive fuel gets)

Participant pre-requisities: 

• All participants - you must be able to swim 50m in strong currents
• Kayaking specifically - have completed an intro to kayaking session, and have previous experience kayaking on grade 3 rapids already

Packest is a festival predominantly focused on packrafting, however it is open to any paddlers to attend.

For more info see https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17rtg77FD5/

The plan is to leave Melbourne Friday evening, and drive up to the campsite, and then paddle various rivers on Sat and Sun, depending on levels and leader availability. We will predominantly be rafting, but there will be some opportunities to use sports rafts for people with sufficient experience, or even a packraft, but you will need to organise that yourself (demo boats may be able to be booked in advance, or hired from another club/person).

Car pooling will be arranged by the trip leader, you will be notified of this a few days before the trip.

There is a fair bit of gear that is needed, most of which you will be able to hire from the club. See below for a gear list.

Paddling gear:

• PFD
• CAG
• Wetsuit
• Helmet
• Raft and rafting gear will be provided - if you are kayaking then you will need to organise that gear yourself.

Camping gear

• tent 
• sleeping bag and liner
• sleeping mat

Personal gear:

• thermals if you feel the cold - 2 sets is best
• wetsuit boots or old shoes to wear in the water (closed toed full coverage) 
• a full change of clothes for in camp on Saturday night (needs to be waterproofed)
• a separate bag with a full change of clothes, shoes and towel to leave at the take out
• Water Bottle - river water can be boiled and used
• food for 2 days on the river (main meals and plenty of snacks) - dehydrated options are great
• stove and stove (shared where possible)
• garbage bags for camping gear and clothes prior to going into dry bags/barrels
• personal toiletries and medications

If you have any queries then feel free to get in touch by emailing me at or adding a comment at the bottom of this webpage.