Doin’ the Gunny.

The Gunbower creek flows from Torrumbarry, where it  leaves the Murray River, to Koondrook in Northern VIC, where it rejoins the Murray River.

During the irrigation months (August to May) it is kept full and navigable by a series of weirs.

A good friend of ours (Geoff) who grew up in the area (Cohuna to be precise) has for many years had a yen to “Do the Gunny” by canoe. So one fateful day an email appeared in my email inbox, “YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN” was the subject line. “Hmmmmm! this is a bit suss” thinks I.

Geoff’s concept was to get together a group of friends and family to paddle the length of the Gunbower Creek over 6 days, at around 20 km per day for a total trip of 120 km.  At first we thought that we were not well equipped for such a journey. No canoe, no hiking tents, etc etc. Well not to worry, Geoff had in mind a more civilised plan. As the road distances are not great, we would have support crew to feed us, and ferry us and our canoes back to comfortable accommodation each evening.

Early First Day – Canoe on board and raring to go

Geoff had also insisted that we should train for the ordeal. As we would be going “down stream”, his suggestion (broadcast by email some weeks prior) was to place our canoe’s in front of the TV and practice/train, by sitting down in the canoe and watch you favourite show. This put Chris and I at a disadvantage, as we would be using a borrowed canoe, and we would not have access to it until our arrival at Torrumbarry on the first day of the adventure. That meant of course we would simply have to “wing it”, the only training that we could muster was substituting the canoe with a lounge chair in front of the tele. He was also adamant that relaxing and enjoying the peace and calm of the creek was paramount. The “relaxing” part of the “training” we were able to achieved with some limited effort in our lounge chairs.

While the plan was initially for 4 or 5 “couples” (10 participants), this had reduced to 5 stout and hearty paddlers and one pedaller (6 in total) being present early Saturday morning on the 12th April, primed and raring to go at Torrumbarry.

Entering the Creek on day 1 – Not an ideal launching spot.

Excitement and bravado fortunately overshadowed the foreboding and concern of the unkown. “Can us 60 something’s do 6 days straight, paddling canoes 20 km per day?”

Geoff emphasised that there was no pressure and if it gets a bit overwhelming we could simply reduce the goal to something more achievable. But human nature being what it is and while it was unsaid, it was obvious that nobody considered this to be an option.

For me, after the first day I was concerned that my arms and shoulders would be in a fit condition for the following morning. However the next morning I was eager to get onto the water and head off on the second leg of our adventure, as it seems, was everyone else.

The Gunbower Creek is one of those well kept secrets that seems to elude common knowledge with surprisingly few Victorians apparently aware of it, let alone the serenity and beauty of its environment. The locals are extremely proud of this unsung Victorian jewel, and while we city folk could accuse the locals of being parochial it soon becomes obvious that the locals are justified in their pride. It really is a unique part of Victoria, and while the “greenies” are doing their darnedest to destroy it, it is a sensational environment of a mixture of flora, wonderful fauna, and a sprinkling of farms and rural homes. The creek defines the southern boundary of Gunbower Island which is a State Forest/ National Park that is treasured by the locals in the area, and those in the know from elsewhere in Victoria, as a place to camp, fish, relax and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the bush.

Mel – the pedalling fisherman and we’re on our way

While I have always tried to remain a-political on this blog, seeing what the idealism of the “greenies” is doing to this area is very disturbing. I am sure “greenies” let their idealism get in the way of common sense and true conservation. Because there are enough politically charged blogs on the internet I am not going to enter into a discussion on the stupidity of the greenies in this particular situation, only to say they are morons. I would prefer to leave the reason for my angst and the angst of my fellow paddlers, for now, un-said. Now on a happier note:-

The concerns of the overnight revival of body and muscle after each days paddling became a mere niggle to the paddlers, and our resolve became more resolute.  After day 3 it was obvious, that, barring any unforeseen situations we would all finish the original goal, finding 20 km a day achievable with little undue effort and a completion of paddling each day at respectable time of around 4 pm.

While we should not overshadow the beauty, serenity and the variety in the creek’s visiual impact, there were a couple of incidents that do need special mention.

On day 1 and only about 30 minutes into our adventure, Mel (the pedaller) yells out, “wait up guys”. Mel’s canoe is what is known as a “Fishing Canoe”. Mel is a keen fisherman, so understandably he had a line out, trolling as we proceeded down the creek.

The two closest paddlers to Mel attest to the fact that Mel’s cry of “wait up” was due to the fact that he had on his line, a Murray Cod of very large proportions, about 1 Metre in length. Fortunately he was unable to land it in his canoe. After all, what in earth were we to do with it for the next 5 hours of paddling if he had landed it.

The second incident that needs mentioning is not one that is quite so positive. Geoff had paddled with his sister Shirley on the first day but was keen to use his new single canoe on day two. Living as he does on the banks of the creek, he was keen to use it for the first time. Being so keen to be autonomous (for future photographic excursions) in the use of his canoe, he wanted to get on board without any external assistance. In so doing he ended up in the river. Unfortunately so did his expensive DSLR camera and iPhone. Geoff – we feel your pain.

The contribution to our effort by the support crew was sensational. Each day our support crew supplied morning tea, lunch and on some days, had ferried our vehicles to our destination by the time we arrived.

Morning tea at Geoff and Geall’s as we pass through Cohuna

Lunch at Tree Tops Scout Camp Grounds – doing it hard!!

We finished up with a dinner on the last night at the local tavern to celebrate a wonderful week.

THE PEOPLE :-

Paddlers were Geoff and sister Shirley, Mel (the pedaller) and Pat, Graham and Chris.

Our support team, Gaell and Jeanette. (A very hearty and appreciative thanks).

And a special thanks to Geoff and Gaell for surveying the planned trip and for facilitating the adventure.

Geoff’s estimates of distances and planning were spot on.

Job well done – 120 km completed.

An experience we will not soon foget.

LOCATION MAP

Doin' the Gunny

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Koondrook: -35.641394, 144.133244

Cohuna: -35.808486, 144.222679

Gunbower: -35.954943, 144.370308

Torrumbarry Start Point: -35.993008, 144.507294