Clean up Australia Day paddle

Hi aspiring conservationists and paddling enthusiasts!

Come join us and do your bit for the environment on Clean up Australia Day! We would like to repeat our very successful clean-up paddle on the Yarra river from last year. This will be a social, fun and conservation focussed afternoon and a chance to do our bit for our precious waterways. We should be able to do some wildlife viewing along the way - birds, maybe a turtle or two and we will end at the flying fox colony at Yarra Bend around the time they'll be waking up and heading off for breakfast! 

This is an 'everyone welcome trip' on flat water. We will use our rafts, so no previous paddling experience will be necessary. Opportunity for a couple of intermediate paddlers to join in on our new touring kayaks (good boat control required to get into those inaccessible spots our rafts can't reach). Last year, we collected 8 large sacks of rubbish, a deck chair and over 100 tennis balls - let's see if we can beat it!

Meeting point (put in): the end of Alphington St, Alphington 3078, aiming to get on the water at around 5 pm (exact meeting time TBC but will be earlier in order to have the rafts inflated, car shuttles done and briefings out of the way in time).

Finish point (take out): Bellbird Park at the bat colony, a cruisy 2.8 km paddle downstream. Estimated time: 2-3 hours.

Bring drinking water, weather appropriate clothing, closed toed shoes you don't mind getting wet, sunscreen, snacks and change of clothes. Pick up the necessary paddling gear during the pre-trip meeting. Bonus points if you have a car and can help with gear transport/car shuttle! We'll provide gloves and bags for the rubbish. 

Cost: $10-15/person to cover fuel costs for drivers and a discounted gear hire fee.

Anyone on the waitlist who would still like to join the trip is encouraged to come to the pre-trip meeting as we may have a few more spaces opening up on Tuesday evening. Meeting attendance is necessary to confirm your spot.