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Choose a calm morning or go for a breezy afternoon paddle past limestone cliffs and sandy beaches. There's a busy river life, riverside cafes, picnic spots, homes of the rich & famous. Keep away from the boating channel. Watch out for wash of large vessels, particularly ferries. |
| Put in at . . . | Facilities | Best known for . . . | Watch out for . . . |
| The reserve at Johanna Street, North Fremantle, just upstream of Stirling Bridge | car park, toilets, picnic area, sandy beach |
- the challenging paddling conditions! - start and finish of some major competitive paddling events - opportunities for socialising after a paddle: The Left Bank (pub) and the more formal restaurant, The Red Herring - the paddle upstream past marinas towards cliffs of Rocky Bay, east & north bank - the paddle across the river & upstream past The Leeuwin Chewin kiosk & marinas towards Bicton, south and west bank |
- paddling below Stirling Bridge, major shipping area: it is forbidden & dangerous - busy narrow section of river: ferries, large pleasure boats throw up huge washes:not recommended for beginners: you must give way to larger craft - at times, strong tidal currents, wind and wind waves which can make paddling tricky
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| Chidley Point, via Caporn Street, Mosman Park or Bicton Baths via Blackwall Reach Parade | car park, toilets, picnic area, sandy beach |
- the high cliffs of Blackwall Reach
-the paddle north to Mosman Bay or east to Point Walter |
- river traffic and large washes - rocks and shallow water close to banks - fishing lines - water skiers - tidal currents which can make paddling tricky - the wind which can be very strong here |
| Mosman Bay: Johnson Parade near Mead's Restaurant | car park (at top of steep hill), toilets, restaurant, picnic area , barbecues, sandy beach, Swan Canoe Club |
- the paddle south to Chidley Point for views of fantastic riverside residences or across to Point Walter for coffee when the wind is favourable - paddling in the shelter of cliffs during westerly sea breeze |
- much river traffic associated with Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club to the north: better to paddle south - power boats & water skiers - fishing lines |
| Freshwater Bay, western shore: The Esplanade, Peppermint Grove | street parking, grassed foreshore, kiosk, children's playground close by |
- the sheltered bay ideal for learning or for children - the paddle north towards high cliffs with houses perched on top |
- river traffic associated with Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club - many pleasure boats moored |
| Freshwater Bay, northern & eastern shore: Chester Road , Claremont | car park, grassed foreshore, |
- the shelter during easterlies: - sandy beaches - Claremont Museum, beautiful homes, Point Resolution Reserve - the paddle past millionaires' row after Point Resolution, but not when there's a strong easterly/southerly |
- some shallow water with rocks close to shore - river traffic - rough conditions when there is a strong sea breeze |
| Point Walter, Bicton, via Stock Road &/or Burke Drive, Attadale | car park, toilets, picnic facilities, kiosk and casual restaurant |
- the sand spit - Blackwall Reach which has rocky limestone cliffs with small caves, to the west of sand spit (disembark & explore the historical markers along the cliffs) - sandy beach at Bicton with attractive residential area, yacht club, Bicton water polo baths |
- Melville Water which is notoriously difficult when windy: it cops easterlies & westerlies! - river traffic - shallow water to the east along the shore |
| Matilda Bay, Hackett Drive, Crawley | car park, toilets, picnic facilities, barbecues, cafe and restaurant |
- some protection from south -westerly sea breeze in bay: - safe for children and learning to paddle - venturing further south to Jo Jo's Cafe & along Nedlands foreshore - the paddle east past the 'old Swan Brewery' |
- rough water during easterlies - yacht clubs & boat traffic - shallow water around Pelican Point - windsurfers south of Pelican Point |
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The Narrows via Mill Point Road |
car park, grassed area | - the start or finish line of some major competitive paddling events |
- exposed and rough with easterlies and westerlies! - river traffic |