Who is this Adventure Paddle for?

• If you like adventure and challenge, even if you haven’t been on one for a while
• If you’re moderate fitness and above, (even if you haven’t been doing much fitness lately you’ve done enough in the past to be able to deal with a little physical activity)
• You like camping (even if you haven’t been camping without your car and all your stuff for a while)
• You like exploring new areas
• You like getting on the water (regardless if you’re an experienced paddler or only the occasional).
• You enjoy camping with an amazing view in a secluded spot where you are not tripping over your neighbours

Those things are what I love too! And I love the Upper Burnett so what I’m about to say is of course biassed…

What is so amazing about an Upper Burnett Paddle Adventure?

Time in the outdoors is of course such a great way for the stress to disappear for a bit, but why is this trip one worth doing?

Well firstly it’s travelling on water – there is something about travelling on water for relaxing the mind, seeing the world from a whole different perspective, flowing downstream, just nature, no man made roads and buildings.

Also travelling by paddle craft – you can carry more gear than hiking. What does this mean? Eskys (beer & cold drinks) and chairs (comfort at the end of the day).

But to have a really good weekend away from what really floats my boat is a proper little adventure. What does that mean?

Anticipation and excitement about what will be found around the next bend for starters!. So this means finding a good one way trip on the river, one that’s not too wide and not narrow – has to be just right! 

If it’s too wide you feel like you are getting nowhere when you paddle. And with some windy and shallow stuff you feel like you have accomplished something at the end of the day.

And doesn’t a cold one taste better after a little challenge and effort during the day – how good does it taste when you have earned it!

The Upper Burnett is perfect for this. In fact I’ve paddled most of it and the paradise leg is my favourite! The right mix of windy stuff, rock gardens, trees, wild life (the rare lungfish. Also black swans and platypus), little rapids – it has it all. 

Yet not so extreme or so long that it can’t be paddled by anyone, regardless of fitness and paddling experience (you need just moderate fitness)

It also needs to be the right length – enough for a little challenge but not so much that you can’t do it unless you’re a triathlete. It’s the sweet spot. You need to feel like you’ve deserved that beverage at the end of the day but not so much you’re too tired to lift your drink to your mouth.

So you need moderate fitness but if you haven’t been doing much fitness lately but you’ve done a few challenging things or played enough sport in your life you’ll have fitness and muscle memory hidden away somewhere you will enjoy it.

There might be a few bits where it’s hard but it won’t be hard all day say. (because that’s not fun) and this trip is about fun and adventure. And we succeed at that i think – at least from what all the people that have been on our trips tell us.

The other ingredient for a great weekend adventure is a great spot to camp

And the upper Burnett has that (unlike the lower Burnett which has  no riverbanks to camp on). The upper Burnett has wide river banks and plenty of room to camp before the private property and surrounding farms start.

And the best bit. Because the Burnett is rarely paddled and these campsites are only accessed by water – you’ll have the campsite to yourself – which means peace and quiet, plenty of room. And great views! Right on the water!

Plus it’s always pretty great weather up here in central qld – during the day low 20s in winter and high 20s in summer most of the time. Night time the temp drops a little for a fire but you will not be crazy cold.

And the Upper Burnett whilst in central Queensland is still driving distance from Brisbane

It’s a big weekend but it’s doable. If you leave Friday afternoon you can make camp at the start point Friday night.

Wake up at a leisurely pace Saturday morning (  no need for super early starts) and then paddle off.

You’ll be done by Sunday mid afternoon meaning you are back in Brisbane Sunday night after an amazing weekend away. You might be tired but you’ll also be rejuvenated by that time in nature.

The Perfect Paddle Trip

The paradise leg to sum it up – This is where we go – selected as the best section from all my experience

• One way trip
• 20km total
• Paradise to Booyal crossing
• Perfect paddling and camping
• Right mix of everything

It’s a really good trip to do with mates, your family or with a bunch of strangers, on the Oasis trips you’ll meet some amazing people. Nothing like a shared adventure for meeting and getting along with new people.

Yes we can do private trips but if you book a group trip with us, if your mates can’t get themselves organised or pull out you still get an awesome weekend away.

Organising your friends can be like herding cats sometimes and it’s a let down when they keep changing their mind or can’t commit. Come with us now and invite them along

Now of course to do a trip – you can get our guidebook and do it on your own.

But if you are time poor and see the benefits in having someone going shopping for all the provisions, organising all the watercraft (choose kayak canoe or SUP), plus organising transport and car to be left at the end and the start, getting dry bags etc.

We can sort it all out for you.

Saves you the time of buying the food, organising and transporting the watercraft.

Also we get the right watercraft for the job. Fishing kayaks don’t really have enough space to carry the gear, you’ll have your stuff falling off. SUPs need to be long touring types and inflatable, fibreglass ones won’t do. Neither will fibreglass canoes you’ll be worried about hitting rocks and putting a hole in it. Then you’re up the creek without a paddle. 

The best part of us bringing all the gear – think about how much less packing and unpacking and drying and washing stuff you have to do! How much less stress and more enjoyable is that. Isn’t it?

You just need to bring your clothes and camping gear (we send you a list).

If you come with us we are flexible with details – dates you can change (see details below), watercraft you can bring your own if you have it. Camping gear you can hire off us if you need. More details when you book. One date a month is available – calendar is below

An amazing weekend awaits, and it includes great food.

We’ll get all the provisions and cooking gear, ready for the group to cook up a feast together.  (GF, DF, & Vegan options available). 

Here’s’ what you get – 

• • Lunch Saturday: Hearty fresh Wraps with salads, cheeses and cold meat.  & tea/coffee
  • Dinner Saturday: delicious nourishing stew (beef/veg) over the fire. Chocolate and marshmallows for dessert.
  • Breakfast Sunday: Fresh percolator Coffee & Tea (green/black/earl grey), Breakfast Jaffles over the fire (toasted sandwiches with filling options: eggs, cheese, ham, relish, tomato)
  • Lunch Sunday: Backcountry Fried Rice & tea/coffee
  • Snacks: Nuts
  • Yes we can caterer for most specific deity requirement s .  (we will send out a survey after you book where will collect your preferences)                                                                                                    

Guide Itinerary 

SATURDAY

• • 8am Meet at the start point to pack our watercraft ready to head off.
  • 9am Start paddling
  • 12pm Break for Lunch
  • 1pm Afternoon paddling to campsite
  • 3pm Make camp – nice and early so you can enjoy the spot
  • 6pm Dinner

SUNDAY

• • 7am Breakfast,
  • 8am Break camp and pack watercraft
  • 9am Paddling
  • 1pm Late Lunch at the end point
  • 2pm Pickup cars from start point
  • 3pm. Weekend concludes, drive home
  • *times are approximate and vary depending upon weather water flow, and participant fitness.

** you are welcome to camp at the start point Friday night.

And of course you’ll be guided by me. Reduce the trees with a guide that’s paddled it many times before. As well as brushing up on your outdoor and paddle skills if that takes your fancy – pick my brain. I do 100km walks for fun and tightrope walk and other stuff so this paddle is a fun cruise one for me to enjoy guiding you down.

Not all you have to do to experience this amazing weekend is choose a date and book it! Calendar below

Email your friends and invite them along, but don’t wait for them otherwise you could miss out on a great time waiting for them to get themselves organised.

Our trips contain other people that like doing fun stuff like yourself. You will have a great time meeting these new people. We have a minimum of 4 people for a trip but we always get this, and a maximum of around 11 so we can fill up! (but we can cater to larger private groups).