Rivers of Gold

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..If you feel like you want to skip the surf and the skyscrapers for a day or two





...............to discover another side of Queensland's Gold Coast......





......then perhaps you could try some Kayaking with the family.

Behind the golden beaches, below the glittering towers there's a Gold Coast unknown to most visitors and even many locals. The five rivers that wend their way down from the Gold Coast hinterland provide another means by which to explore this tourist paradise, and the best way is by Kayak. You don't have to be experienced or fit to try it out.

On a kayak you set the pace and go wherever you fancy, including marine parks off limits to other vessels. Making no sound other than the quiet splash of your oar, you won't scare away the wildlife.

It's a great and inexpensive way to spend time outdoors. Your only dilemma is which river to explore.

At Blue Ocean Apartment you are ideally located with easy access to 2 of these 5 great rivers,

Known as:





Currumbin: The Family River

Tallebudgera: The Romantic River

Pimpama : The Fishing River

Coomera : The Quiet River

Nerang : The Big River





Currumbin : The Family River

Blue Ocean Apartment is located on the southern most part of Palm Beach, and perched on the banks of the Currumbin River – The Family River

......so you are already there.

Currumbin Creek feels like it is the setting for a 1960's coming of age film. From the ramshackle boatshed, staffer John cheerfully kits tourists out with a kayak for a yesteryear price ($15/hour). Outside, a rope swing sends deliriously happy kids into sapphire waters. Nobody's in a rush, nobody wears shoes, and there's room for everyone to experience a taste of uncomplicated joy.

Currumbin's shallow, low traffic waters are ideal for beginners and children. After a brief lesson in Kayak control, giggling children capsize each other with enthusiastic disregard for nautical convention. A juvenile flotilla explores the sandy inlets in search of pirate treasure and exotic fish.

Upriver you might discover a massive flying fox colony as you weave your way through a flooded mangrove forest, where crabs wave from below branches and fish swim between submerged tree roots. Further up river, the Boatshed runs tours ($45) that pass by a waterfront koala colony. Afterwards, exchange your kayak for a coffee at Café by the Bridge and watch the kids splash around for a while.

Where : The Boatshed, 2-4 Thrower Drive, Currumbin

Suits : Families, Difficulty : easy

Hire : www.currumbinboatshed.com.au

Tallebudgera: The Romantic River

The next closest option is Tallebudgera, the romantic river located at the northern end of Palm Beach, a short 20 minute walk along the beach from Blue Ocean Apartment.

Tallebudgera is the prettiest of the five rivers with its sinuous course, secluded beaches and natural beauty, it's the perfect place for romance.

Hire Kayaks at All Coast Paddle Board Hire ($20 per hour) opposite Burleigh headland and let the current take you past the deserted, forest-fringed Echo beach. Paddle west on waters that change colour from turquoise to emerald, towards the unmistakable profile of the Springbrook Plateau; origin of this rio d'amor.

Discover islands little bigger than your vessel, perfect for two, a picnic basket and bottle of champagne. If all goes well, you can always get married at Echo Beach on your return – weddings are regularly held on its white sandy shores.

Where : Talebudgera Leisure Centre, 1525 Gold Coast HWY, Palm Beach

Best for : Couples : Easy

Highlights : paddling across to Echo Beach and exploring Burleigh Headland

Eat : Bring a picnic or head to the leisure for good coffee and sandwiches

Hire : www.allcoastpaddleboardshire.com.au

Pimpama : The Fishing River

"I've never had anyone come out and not catch a fish, " says Andy Klienschmidt of " Kayak Fishing Tours " (from $115), as the sun peeks above the horizon. Andy explains the operation of the pedal-powered apecially desihned fishing Kayak and its equipment quietly and with confidence. There are no waterfront houses as on the southern rivers and almost no boats.

Choose a half day or a full day standard tour or the heart-pumping shark fishing tour ( November to January only ). Pike, flathead, trevally, or whiting are some of the species you might catch. Andy can make a fisherman out of almost anyone. bait-gathering lessons - starting withcollecting worms on the beach and pumping for yabbies - are an additional option, perfect for beginners.

Where: Colman Road, Coomera: 34 kms north of Sufers

Best for: Fishing, wilderness - easy / moderate

Highlight: drifting down a mangrove - lined creek

Eat: what ever you catch, Andy also provides nacks

Tours: www.kayakfishingtours.com.au

Coomera : The Quiet Rive

In a city where the pace is quiet hectic, the longest of the five rivers is a cocoon of contemplation. Adventure Outlet delivers kayaks ($120 / day ) to Jabiru Island near the Coomeras mouth. Enjoy the wilderness presence of Coombabah Lake ; an internationally significant tidal wetland that's as untouched as when the only watercraft were the Kombumerri's stringybark canoes.

Today kayaks and canoes are still the only permissable watercraft and the only sounds are those of the native wildlife, the wind and the cry of square - tailed kites. Coombabah means "place of turtles" , but the main attraction is the bird life; the 2000 - hectare shore bird sanctuary is part of a treaty with China and Japan.

Migratory species such as the endangered Eastern Curlew rest here on there way to Siberia.

If you are feeling energetic, the 16 kilometre kayak paddle to the base of Tamborine Mountain will get the blood pumping: particularly fitting as Coomera means "blood" in Aboriginal.

Where : Jabiru Island, Paradise Point 17 km north of Surfers.

Best for : Confident Kayakers looking for solitude and adventure : Moderate

Highlight : a nautical pas de deux with black swans on Coombaba Lake

Hire/Tours : www.adventureoutlet.com.au

Nerang : The Big River

A historical trade route linking the hubs of Nerang, surfers Paradise and Southport, with more miles of canals than Venice and Amsterdam combined, the Nerang is the best tackled on a tour.

Set high above the city at Hinze Dam, Seaway Kayaking Tours provides a unique opportunity to paddle in the city's drinking water, surrounded by forested mountains and followed by a post paddle brunch ($115).

Most clients have never kayaked before, so tour leaders Andres and Daniel are patient with beginners and passionate about providing a fun experiance.

Paddle over the topmost branches of the flooded valley's submerged trees rather than battling tides and dodging boats. After brunch, walk through the interpretive museum for a climpse of the Gold Coast's early settler life.

Downriver, local knowledge is Australian Kayaking Adventures' forte. Owner Steven Vah delivers a wonderful insight into the regions Indigenious and modern history on the two-hour Sunset Tour ($55) around surfers.

Enjoy wine and cheese surrounded by high rise and mansions. For wildlife spotting, Steve's Dolphin and Stadbroke Tour ($85) is your best bet. watch Australian pelicans cruse inches above the waves like seaplanes or spot beautiful Goldern Walaby, found only on South Stradbroke Island.

"we usually see dolphins, which is a real thrill on a kayak since you can get much closer than in a boat." Steve says. "but we also see turtles, stingrays, tropical fish, dugong, even a humpback whale and her calf in the seaway. There really is nowhere quite like this, and on a kayak you're part of it."

Where : Hinze Dam tour departs western boat ramp, Nerang- Murwillumbah Road Advancetown ,

23 kms west of Surfers: Sunset Tour departs River , Drive Budds Beach, Sufers

Best for : Adventures easy/moderate

Highlight : Moutain scenery; Broadwater wildlife

Tours : www.seawaykayakingtours.com.au and www.australiankayakingadventures.com.au

3 TIPS FOR HAPPY YAKKING:

Check tide times.If possible go with the tide, not against it.

Paddle on a weekday as weekends are busier.

Pick the least windy day of your stay. Mornings and evenings are always calmer.

Hire your Kayak here on Currumbin Creek, Palm Bech on the Gold Coast.

Source: Jetstar Magazine : November 2015

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