I had a look today and apart from the colour of the water, it looks like a good lunchtime paddle spot for anyone who works in the North Ryde area (me included). Was wondering if there are any bylaws / reasons why it would not be allowed.
Those water ways are quite protected from a few wind directions too.
I'm not aware of any reason why you wouldn't paddle down there.
Get out there! Better than hitting the local gym!
(I used to work in Chatswood)
i know they used to run a wednesday night time trail there. So I am sure it would be ok.
From the Lane Cove National Park Q and A:
Can we canoe/boat on the river?
Yes, the river is open to all forms of non powered boating, however, size restrictions apply to some non powered vessels, and ramp entry points are limited
Hi Jason,
Lane cover river kayakers run a time trial 6.30pm every wednesday night. They have a club house and pontoon where you can launch from at the athletics field at the bottom of Mobray Rd.
So in short heaps of people paddle down there so go for it
Cheers
Mick
Hey Jason,
I lived and worked in North Ryde for a few years, and asked the rangers about the water quality. In the '60's it was a great place for kid's swimming and jumping off of a rope swing.
But now- the rangers reckon it's pretty risky, due to surrounding development, industry, the Northern Suburbs Cemetery, and the accompanying polluted water runoff.
It's your decision if you want to risk it. I didn't, and am sad that such a beautiful waterway has been spoiled.
Oh yeah, my comments are about the National Park waterway upstream from the weir. The downstream side, leading into the harbour, might be normal Sydney Harbour water quality...
Cheers guys for your feedback, I'll probably give the river a bit of an explore, both above and below the wier. The water reminds me of the upper reaches of my local Port Hacking and Georges River after a big downpour, so hopefully only natural runoff. Below the wier towards the harbour also looks interesting. I'll post some more after I've had a hit. Cheers again.
JP.
Finally had a hit on the river. Paddled from the wier upstream for about half an hour and then back. The water was a bit "muddy" and there was a lot of submerged trees and branches, but generally a good cruise. I would not want to fall in, but it's so flat that that's not too likely. It starts to get a bit narrow and the sides steepen out a bit, but I think I could go a fair bit further if I have more time. Much better prospect than sitting in the office, and amusing watching the lunchtime joggers with their pained expressions. Much rather glide and smile to get my excercise fix. Startled a few ducks along the way, glide and smile.
I'll add more as I explore further, I feel this will become a regular escape from my desk especially as the Spring comes.
I went for a paddle on the Lane Cove river at lunch time today and managed to get a couple of photos with a mates Olympus uTough 8000 (i'm thinking of getting the newer uTough 8010). I paddled from the start of Mowbray road (near the entrance to the Lane Cove tunnel) to the Lane Cove River Steakhouse and back.
There is a wooden walkway that goes from near the parking area through the bush/trees down to the water.
It can be a bit slippery especially if there has been a bit of rain ...
... but there is another way to get there - some stone steps that are much closer to the pontoon that you can launch from. The start of the steps are near to the "totem pole".
The actual stone steps leading down to the last bit of the wooden walkway and then on to the pontoon.
Looking back up the wooden walkway.
The bridge out on to the pontoon.
Looking up the river.
Chatswood in the background.
The DJ shot.
The Lane Cove River Steakhouse.
Looking back down the river.
The pontoon from out on the water.
All in all a fun paddle and a good way to get out of the office for an hour or so.
Jason,
Paddling the river is no problem, I paddle balmain - rozelle most mornings 5km each morning. Just keep an eye out for Bull sharks, they are inquisitive and bite. Seen one a few months ago at end of Summer near the old Glebe bridge shark alley. They love the estuarys and brown water....
