A 1978 trip down the Shoalhaven River in NSW using rubber ducks

This is a pictorial story of a 1978 trip down part of the Shoalhaven River in the Morton National Park in NSW.

Chris and I planned to take this trip with friends Ciaran and Cora. We had visited the Morton NP on a number of occasions and had seen the bits you can see from various lookouts. Way below the river looked fine and navigable and we were excited about the prospect of floating down the river to Nowra where it enters the ocean. We thought that two weeks or so would do the trick and planned accordingly.

Getting our gear to the river was the only tricky bit but we located a river crossing further up the river not really considering that the river might not all be like the river we had seen from the lookout.

Later we found out that the stretch we were entering was classified by those who knew as unnavigable.

Click on an image to enlarge

Shoalhaven River 1978 - Chris with Ciaran and Cora our companions on this little adventure.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Chris with Ciaran and Cora our companions on this little adventure.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The shoalhaven river runs through the Morton NP. The Fitzroy falls are one of the more spectacular waterfalls in the park.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The shoalhaven river runs through the Morton NP. The Fitzroy falls are one of the more spectacular waterfalls in the park.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This is the part of the Shaolhaven river gorge that can be seen from a viewpoint. The river looks quite managable here an we imagined ourselves floating happily downstream towards Nowra.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This is the part of the Shaolhaven river gorge that can be seen from a viewpoint. The river looks quite managable here an we imagined ourselves floating happily downstream towards Nowra.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This is the part of the Shaolhaven river gorge that can be seen from a viewpoint. The river looks quite managable here an we imagined ourselves floating happily downstream towards Nowra.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This is the part of the Shaolhaven river gorge that can be seen from a viewpoint. The river looks quite managable here an we imagined ourselves floating happily downstream towards Nowra.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The furthest point downriver we could access with a vehicle was the river crossing on the Oallen Road. We didn't give much though to the state of the river between here and the river seen from the viewpoint. Greg and Avril drive us here in our Landrover.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The furthest point downriver we could access with a vehicle was the river crossing on the Oallen Road. We didn't give much though to the state of the river between here and the river seen from the viewpoint. Greg and Avril drive us here in our Landrover.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The river now lies in front of us so time to inflate the rubber ducks and pack up ready to go.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The river now lies in front of us so time to inflate the rubber ducks and pack up ready to go.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The river now lies in front of us so time to inflate the rubber ducks and pack up ready to go.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The river now lies in front of us so time to inflate the rubber ducks and pack up ready to go.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The river now lies in front of us so time to inflate the rubber ducks and pack up ready to go.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The river now lies in front of us so time to inflate the rubber ducks and pack up ready to go.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - You can see how naive we were and how we had no idea at all of what was to come. No waterproof containers for us!
Shoalhaven River 1978 - You can see how naive we were and how we had no idea at all of what was to come. No waterproof containers for us!
Shoalhaven River 1978 - You can see how naive we were and how we had no idea at all of what was to come. No waterproof containers for us!
Shoalhaven River 1978 - You can see how naive we were and how we had no idea at all of what was to come. No waterproof containers for us!
Shoalhaven River 1978 - You can see how naive we were and how we had no idea at all of what was to come. No waterproof containers for us!
Shoalhaven River 1978 - You can see how naive we were and how we had no idea at all of what was to come. No waterproof containers for us!
Shoalhaven River 1978 - After 5 minutes on the river we got a very rude awakening. I floated towards a small branch overhanging the river expecting to gently bounce off. No such luck. The front of the boat went under the branch and the boat was immediately flooded. Back to the shore for us.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - After 5 minutes on the river we got a very rude awakening. I floated towards a small branch overhanging the river expecting to gently bounce off. No such luck. The front of the boat went under the branch and the boat was immediately flooded. Back to the shore for us.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Avril kindly dived in and rescued our paddle. rescued our paddle.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Avril kindly dived in and rescued our paddle. rescued our paddle.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Luckily, in a way, we had been alerted to the power of the river and that we needed to be very respectful of that power.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Luckily, in a way, we had been alerted to the power of the river and that we needed to be very respectful of that power.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Lots of wet things, but not a disaster.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Lots of wet things, but not a disaster.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - First camp alongside a fairly placid stretch.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - First camp alongside a fairly placid stretch.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - First camp alongside a fairly placid stretch.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - First camp alongside a fairly placid stretch.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - First camp alongside a fairly placid stretch.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - First camp alongside a fairly placid stretch.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - It's a'boating we will go!
Shoalhaven River 1978 - It's a'boating we will go!
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The first of many small falls. This needed a fairly straight forward carry round.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The first of many small falls. This needed a fairly straight forward carry round.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Take everything out and carry it past the fall. Carry or float the boats. Load up and continue. A routine that was to become all too familiar.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Take everything out and carry it past the fall. Carry or float the boats. Load up and continue. A routine that was to become all too familiar.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Take everything out and carry it past the fall. Carry or float the boats. Load up and continue. A routine that was to become all too familiar.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Take everything out and carry it past the fall. Carry or float the boats. Load up and continue. A routine that was to become all too familiar.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This was getting more and more difficult.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This was getting more and more difficult.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This was getting more and more difficult.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This was getting more and more difficult.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Sometimes we could just ease the boats past without unloading.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Sometimes we could just ease the boats past without unloading.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Sometimes we could just ease the boats past without unloading.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Sometimes we could just ease the boats past without unloading.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The campsites were often really beautiful and after struggling all day, they were very welcome.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The campsites were often really beautiful and after struggling all day, they were very welcome.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - No shortage of firewood here. I would hate to be here when there had been heavy rain.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - No shortage of firewood here. I would hate to be here when there had been heavy rain.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Ciaran has a lovely voice and entertained us around the campfire.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Ciaran has a lovely voice and entertained us around the campfire.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The sides of the gorge became ever steeper
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The sides of the gorge became ever steeper
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Some falls required more work than others.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Some falls required more work than others.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Some falls required more work than others.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Some falls required more work than others.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - We could just manage these stretches.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - We could just manage these stretches.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - If water got into the boat, it was easiest to just turn it over.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - If water got into the boat, it was easiest to just turn it over.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Sometimes campsites were difficult to find.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Sometimes campsites were difficult to find.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Looking back up river
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Looking back up river
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Evenings around the camp fire in the silence of the bush. Just the sound of the river a constant accompanyment.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Evenings around the camp fire in the silence of the bush. Just the sound of the river a constant accompanyment.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Yet another set of rapids ... easier this time. Let them down on a rope.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Yet another set of rapids ... easier this time. Let them down on a rope.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Not so easy this one ...
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Not so easy this one ...
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Not so easy this one ...
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Not so easy this one ...
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Not so easy this one ...
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Not so easy this one ...
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Not so easy this one ...
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Not so easy this one ...
Shoalhaven River 1978 - A particularly long carry round.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - A particularly long carry round.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - A particularly long carry round.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - A particularly long carry round.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - A particularly long carry round.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - A particularly long carry round.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - C C C Cold ...
Shoalhaven River 1978 - C C C Cold ...
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Time for a rest.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Time for a rest.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Time for a rest.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Time for a rest.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats. Standing in the middle of the river was not always comfortable.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats. Standing in the middle of the river was not always comfortable.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats. Standing in the middle of the river was not always comfortable.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats. Standing in the middle of the river was not always comfortable.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats. Standing in the middle of the river was not always comfortable.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats. Standing in the middle of the river was not always comfortable.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats. Standing in the middle of the river was not always comfortable.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This time just a float around. No chance of riding on the boats. Standing in the middle of the river was not always comfortable.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - No matter how hard you try, water always gets in somehow.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - No matter how hard you try, water always gets in somehow.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This is long stretch of rapids.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - This is long stretch of rapids.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Empty, float down the rapids, fill, continue.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Empty, float down the rapids, fill, continue.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Empty, float down the rapids, fill, continue.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Empty, float down the rapids, fill, continue.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Occasionaly, we got to paddle the boats.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Occasionaly, we got to paddle the boats.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Occasionaly, we got to paddle the boats.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Occasionaly, we got to paddle the boats.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Another beautiful camp site
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Another beautiful camp site
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Oh boy! Look whats ahead
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Oh boy! Look whats ahead
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The sides of the gorge are really steep here.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - The sides of the gorge are really steep here.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Yet another camp
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Yet another camp
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Rapids, rapids and more rapids.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Rapids, rapids and more rapids.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Rapids, rapids and more rapids.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Rapids, rapids and more rapids.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Level tent sites are not always easy to find.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Level tent sites are not always easy to find.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Level tent sites are not always easy to find.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Level tent sites are not always easy to find.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Looks a bit colder now.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Looks a bit colder now.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Level tent sites are not always easy to find.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Level tent sites are not always easy to find.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - There is something about camp fires.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - There is something about camp fires.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Cora
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Cora
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Ciaran
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Ciaran
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Steep sides to the gorge and the river is really running.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Steep sides to the gorge and the river is really running.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Chapaties, yum!
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Chapaties, yum!
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Steep sides to the gorge and the river is really running.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Steep sides to the gorge and the river is really running.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - A moment of relaxation.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - A moment of relaxation.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Water, water everywhere.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Water, water everywhere.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Steep sides to the gorge and the river is really running. This is the stretch we have just come through.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Steep sides to the gorge and the river is really running. This is the stretch we have just come through.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Greg has been worried about our progress and has come to find out where we are, courtesy of a navy helicopter.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Greg has been worried about our progress and has come to find out where we are, courtesy of a navy helicopter.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Greg has been worried about our progress and has come to find out where we are, courtesy of a navy helicopter.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Greg has been worried about our progress and has come to find out where we are, courtesy of a navy helicopter.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - He tells us there are a lot more difficulties ahead and that we would be better to walk out. Not too far ahead there is an opportunity to climb up the side of the gorge and reach a road where he will meet us
Shoalhaven River 1978 - He tells us there are a lot more difficulties ahead and that we would be better to walk out. Not too far ahead there is an opportunity to climb up the side of the gorge and reach a road where he will meet us
Shoalhaven River 1978 - We prepare to move out, burning what we don't need to carry.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - We prepare to move out, burning what we don't need to carry.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Ciaran and a fly make aquaintance!
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Ciaran and a fly make aquaintance!
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Last read on the river
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Last read on the river
Shoalhaven River 1978 - We have to move down to where we can climb out.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - We have to move down to where we can climb out.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - We have to move down to where we can climb out.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - We have to move down to where we can climb out.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - And out we go up the side of the gorge.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - And out we go up the side of the gorge.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - And out we go up the side of the gorge.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - And out we go up the side of the gorge.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - And out we go up the side of the gorge.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - And out we go up the side of the gorge.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - And out we go up the side of the gorge.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - And out we go up the side of the gorge.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Reunited with the Landrover, thanks to Greg. Our adventure is over two weeks after it began.
Shoalhaven River 1978 - Reunited with the Landrover, thanks to Greg. Our adventure is over two weeks after it began.