Murray River canoe tour Dwellingup: Paddle at your own pace

Set your own pace on the Murray River and stop whenever the moment calls for it

A self-guided canoe tour on the Murray River near Dwellingup where you paddle downstream at whatever speed suits you, with Dwellingup Adventures handling the equipment, transfers, and a picnic lunch. You meet at the Dwellingup Trails and Visitors Centre, get fitted with safety gear, and are transported 6 km upstream to the start. From there you paddle to the finish at Dwaarlindjirraap, stopping to swim, eat, and watch wildlife along the forest-lined banks. The tour takes around 4.5 hours and suits all fitness levels, with children welcome from age 6.

The experience

You start at the Dwellingup Trails and Visitors Centre, where Dwellingup Adventures fits you with a canoe, paddles, and personal floatation devices. They drive you 6 km upstream to the launch point, pointing out river features along the way, and leave you to paddle downstream at whatever pace feels right. The Murray River here moves through long pools and faster channels with a couple of small rapids, all bordered by forest. There's no guide narrating the journey, no group to keep up with, and no schedule beyond the afternoon light.

You stop when you want, for the picnic lunch Waypoints Café makes fresh each day (a roll or sandwich, juice, and a raw treat), to swim if the season allows, to watch birds and wildlife, or simply to sit on the bank and listen. The river does the work of carrying you downstream. You choose whether to paddle hard or drift. After roughly 4.5 hours on the water, you reach the finish point at Dwaarlindjirraap, where Dwellingup Adventures meets you with your car.

All equipment stays with you (canoes, paddles, floatation devices, and a map), so there's nothing to arrange once you're on the water. The only logistics Dwellingup Adventures handles are the transfers and the safety brief before you launch. Lane Poole Reserve surrounds the whole stretch, and the self-guided format means you move through it without the crowds a guided tour would bring.

What’s included

• Canoe, paddles, and personal floatation devices.
• safety brief and map.
• transport to the launch point 6 km upstream and back to your car at the finish.
• picnic lunch made fresh by Waypoints Café with a sandwich or roll, juice, and a raw treat.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday and ThursdayDeparts at 10:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteAU$ 8

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcome

Operated by Dwellingup Adventures

Is this one for you?The self-guided format means you set the pace and choose where to stop, which suits anyone who wants to spend time in nature without a guide's schedule or a group's rhythm. If you prefer someone narrating the sights or keeping everyone together, a guided tour would be a better fit.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What happens if I want to take a break during the paddle?

You stop whenever you want. Pull over to the bank for the picnic lunch, take a swim, watch for wildlife, or simply rest. There's no schedule and no guide pushing the pace. The picnic is included, and you choose how long to spend on it.

Does Dwellingup Adventures provide the canoe and safety gear?

Yes. Dwellingup Adventures supplies the canoe, paddles, personal floatation devices, and a map. They also provide a safety brief before you launch and handle the transfers to and from the start and finish points.

How does the self-guided format work if I've never paddled before?

You get a safety brief and fitted equipment before launching, and the river section is designed for all fitness levels. The Murray River here has long pools where paddling is easy, mixed with faster channels and small rapids. You control your own speed and can pull over anytime to rest or regroup.

What's included in the picnic lunch?

The picnic is freshly made by Waypoints Café and includes a roll or sandwich, freshly squeezed juice, and a raw treat. You eat it whenever you stop along the river.

How long does the whole tour take?

The paddle itself takes around 4.5 hours from start to finish, but you control the pace. You can take longer if you stop frequently, or move faster if you prefer.