Canoeing the Macalister River

We have been canoeing various sections of the Macalister River for over 25 years. Our favourite section has been: Basin Flat to Cheynes Bridge. This is one of the few rivers you can canoe with one vehicle by hitch hiking as the road parallels and comes back to the river .

I guess you could do the same on sections of the Wonnangatta, Mitta etc. We normally drop the boats off on the river bank at Basin Flat and drive the car back to Cheynes Bridge, park conspicuously on the road, then put the thumb out. The first car usually figures you have broken down, so you are back at Basin Flat within about 40 minutes of dropping the boats off.

We did this trip again yesterday ( 31 Oct 2014 – 30C). This is getting to be a trip which we would (probably) enjoy more as a two dayer (we are getting older) but also the wider river (following fires, floods, willow removal, etc) has slowed the trip down somewhat, so that what used to take 4 hours has crept up to nearer 5-6. The dogs and portages slowed us down a lot. If I did a bit of work on some of the timber down, and cleared some of the trickier rapids a bit, it would speed it up. I did this years ago when we used to run it regularly in four hours. This MAY happen, but there are so many other things to do…

There are some nice places to camp, so it should best be considered as a weekend trip. There are lots of fish to catch, and numerous deer, so the extra day can be well-spent! The river height on the Licola gauge yesterday was 1.68, quite adequate water. 1.7 is really nice. I feel you could still have an enjoyable trip with some more portages 50mm lower than this, say a minimum of 1.63. I would say it would be a bit too dangerous over 1.8 metres – ignore that See Carpe Diem.

image132
Gorge: below Burgoynes
The tree on the right would make this Grade 3 rapid: Death!
The tree on the right would make this Grade 3 rapid: Death!
Below Burgoynes.
Below Burgoynes.
They say water finds its own level, but sometimes it does so in unexpected ways...
They say water finds its own level, but sometimes it does so in unexpected ways…
'Spot' the figurehead
‘Spot’ the figurehead

In hot pursuit.
In hot pursuit.
Tiny enjoyed the trip!
Tiny enjoyed the trip!

See Also:

Silver River Endless Sky

Carpe Diem

A Magical Day

Thomson River Canoe Trip

Canoeing the Macalister Again

Canoeing the Macalister River

Canoeing the Macalister

Macalister River

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/canoeing-the-macalister/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/canoeing-the-macalister-2/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/canoeing/

 

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6 thoughts on “Canoeing the Macalister River”

  1. Hi mate I’ve come across your site several times over the years when researching areas for adventures.
    Just wondering if you know weather you can hunt deer in the area

      1. Hi mate, I’m stoked I found some info on canoeing this river. I couldn’t find Basin Flats or Cheynes Bridge on Google maps though. Could you please help?

        Thanks,
        Joe

        1. Cheyne’s Bridge is the bridge across the Macalister you cross on the way to Licola. This map may help: https://www.whereis.com/vic/glenmaggie-3858/cheynes-bridge-tr After you leave there and head for Licola a twenty minute drive takes you over a mountain until the road returns to the river. You will see where people pull over on the left hand side of the road to drag their canoes through a fence to the river. This is Basin Flat. Used to have a sign there. This section of the river takes over four hours. It starts off easy and becomes more difficult after about an hour. There are three Grade 3 rapids which may need to be walked around, the first just below Burgoyne’s Track. Pay careful attention to the recommended Licola Gauge heights. Cheers, Steve.

          1. Hello Steve, first of all I have learnt so much from your experiences.
            I am just wondering about the basin flat starting point as mentioned above. I am pretty sure I know the spot you mean. I could see the river and the two fences.
            Does the property owner mind people going through his property? Or should I drop a bottle of wine off to him.
            I will be using a 3m raft with 2 people in it.
            Much appreciated
            Stephen

          2. Hi Stephen, Thanks for the praise. People have been doing this for at least fifty years. I think he is pretty used to it. Indeed I believe the public has a right of access to a river across private land provided it is the shortest route. However I’m sure they won’t mind a bottle of wine. I haven’t spoken to them or seen them for many years myself. It must only take a minute to get across to the river causing no harm to their property on the way. Have a good trip. Cheers, Steve.

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