Captain Cook Creek is a gentle slow flowing creek running behind the Adventure Bay beach, fringed in bush, and a lovely little spot to introduce kids to a gentle paddle.
Highlights
Very calm, mirror-like water, extensive bird life and picturesque bushland.
Nature
Natural features
A range of coastal and wetland birdlife can be seen on this paddle including white-bellied sea eagles and a range of herons, ducks, gulls, and cormorants. The surrounding vegetation types include reeds, grasses, eucalyptus and tea tree.
Track details
Captain Cook Creek is a gentle slow flowing creek fringed in bush. From the put in point you will be close to the mouth of the creek where it flows into Adventure Bay. From this point, you can paddle upstream around 1.75km before reaching a point where the creek is blocked by fallen logs.
Once you have passed the bridge that Adventure Bay Road runs over, there is an especially shallow section of creek, which will require you to seek out the deepest channel so as not to run aground. In this same section, there is a potential turnoff point in the creek on your left that runs in a southeast direction. It is generally too shallow to paddle up this section and most of it is covered in reads, so pass this turnoff and continue paddling upstream in a north-westerly direction.
Gradually, the creek will become narrower until you reach a point where it is only a few metres in width, and there are trees directly overhead on either side. You can paddle a short distance up this section before you reach a large log in the creek that will stop you from paddling further. At this point you will be able to see paddocks and a farmhouse, and it is here that you should turn around and begin your paddle back to the mouth of the creek.
While this is a relatively short paddle, there is great scenery and birdlife along the way, and if you are after a relaxed paddle that is beginner friendly, it is a great option.
If you do wish to further extend your paddle and you have the appropriate skills, you have the option of paddling out into Adventure Bay and connecting this paddle to either the Quiet Corner-Coal Point or Grass Point-Penguin Island trails. If you choose to do this, please refer to the Kuno trail guides for more information.
It is around a 1.6km paddle northwest along Adventure Bay Beach to the beginning of the Quiet Corner-Coal Point trail, or a 1.6km paddle along the coast in an easterly direction to the beginning of the Grass Point-Penguin Island trail. Keep in mind that these two paddles require confidence in more open, exposed waters, where ocean swell, wind and surf will heighten the difficulty of your paddle.
Conditions
This is a flat, slow flowing bush fringed creek that runs into Adventure Bay, a wide beach that looks out to the Tasman Sea.
Safety advice
While this is a sheltered area to kayak, it is still important to be aware of the potential hazards water activities hold. Potential hazards to be aware of when kayaking include unpredictable wind strengths and directions, capsizing, hypothermia, sunstroke, and drowning. To best prevent these incidents from occurring it is crucial that appropriate safety equipment is used and the kayaker should have a sound understanding of the effects of wind and water temperature in the local area. Prior to undertaking this trip, kayakers should review the local safety equipment requirements and other safety information as outlined by MAST, which can be found here: https://mast.tas.gov.au/safe-b...
Age restrictions and advice
Children should be accompanied by a parent when paddling.
Location
842 Adventure Bay Road, Adventure Bay Tasmania, Australia
From the Roberts Point Ferry Terminal on Bruny Island, follow Bruny Island Main Road (B66) south for 30km before turning left onto Adventure Bay Road (C630) towards Adventure Bay. Drive south along Adventure Bay Road (C630) for 8.2km. If you reach Francis Lane, you have gone too far by about 100 metres. Here, there is enough space to park your car and there is direct water access to put your kayak in the creek.
Alternatively, if you do not have your own kayaks, they can be hired and put in at Adventure Bay Caravan Park, which is located about 500 metres back along Adventure Bay Road (C630) and borders the creek (https://captaincookpark.com).
Nature
Natural features
A range of coastal and wetland birdlife can be seen on this paddle including white-bellied sea eagles and a range of herons, ducks, gulls, and cormorants. The surrounding vegetation types include reeds, grasses, eucalyptus and tea tree.
Track details
Captain Cook Creek is a gentle slow flowing creek fringed in bush. From the put in point you will be close to the mouth of the creek where it flows into Adventure Bay. From this point, you can paddle upstream around 1.75km before reaching a point where the creek is blocked by fallen logs.
Once you have passed the bridge that Adventure Bay Road runs over, there is an especially shallow section of creek, which will require you to seek out the deepest channel so as not to run aground. In this same section, there is a potential turnoff point in the creek on your left that runs in a southeast direction. It is generally too shallow to paddle up this section and most of it is covered in reads, so pass this turnoff and continue paddling upstream in a north-westerly direction.
Gradually, the creek will become narrower until you reach a point where it is only a few metres in width, and there are trees directly overhead on either side. You can paddle a short distance up this section before you reach a large log in the creek that will stop you from paddling further. At this point you will be able to see paddocks and a farmhouse, and it is here that you should turn around and begin your paddle back to the mouth of the creek.
While this is a relatively short paddle, there is great scenery and birdlife along the way, and if you are after a relaxed paddle that is beginner friendly, it is a great option.
If you do wish to further extend your paddle and you have the appropriate skills, you have the option of paddling out into Adventure Bay and connecting this paddle to either the Quiet Corner-Coal Point or Grass Point-Penguin Island trails. If you choose to do this, please refer to the Kuno trail guides for more information.
It is around a 1.6km paddle northwest along Adventure Bay Beach to the beginning of the Quiet Corner-Coal Point trail, or a 1.6km paddle along the coast in an easterly direction to the beginning of the Grass Point-Penguin Island trail. Keep in mind that these two paddles require confidence in more open, exposed waters, where ocean swell, wind and surf will heighten the difficulty of your paddle.
Conditions
This is a flat, slow flowing bush fringed creek that runs into Adventure Bay, a wide beach that looks out to the Tasman Sea.
Safety advice
While this is a sheltered area to kayak, it is still important to be aware of the potential hazards water activities hold. Potential hazards to be aware of when kayaking include unpredictable wind strengths and directions, capsizing, hypothermia, sunstroke, and drowning. To best prevent these incidents from occurring it is crucial that appropriate safety equipment is used and the kayaker should have a sound understanding of the effects of wind and water temperature in the local area. Prior to undertaking this trip, kayakers should review the local safety equipment requirements and other safety information as outlined by MAST, which can be found here: https://mast.tas.gov.au/safe-b...
Age restrictions and advice
Children should be accompanied by a parent when paddling.
Location
842 Adventure Bay Road, Adventure Bay Tasmania, Australia
From the Roberts Point Ferry Terminal on Bruny Island, follow Bruny Island Main Road (B66) south for 30km before turning left onto Adventure Bay Road (C630) towards Adventure Bay. Drive south along Adventure Bay Road (C630) for 8.2km. If you reach Francis Lane, you have gone too far by about 100 metres. Here, there is enough space to park your car and there is direct water access to put your kayak in the creek.
Alternatively, if you do not have your own kayaks, they can be hired and put in at Adventure Bay Caravan Park, which is located about 500 metres back along Adventure Bay Road (C630) and borders the creek (https://captaincookpark.com).
Key info
45 minutes-one hour return
3-3.5km return
Grade 1: Easy