Your hosts Alli & Ben Rentsch
Telephone: 0429 381 875
Email: info@canoehire.com.au

Itineraries on the Bochara River
Glenelg River Canoe Trail

Paestan Canoe Hire provide camping at their property  ‘Glenelg River Canoe Camp’  located in Dartmoor.

 Facilities include toilet, camp kitchen, BBQ’s, showers and firepit. This allows for groups to arrive later in the afternoon or evening to pack barrels and prepare to paddle the following day. This facility is by donation per night and is a shared space we ask for it to be kept clean and tidy at all times.

Bunk House camps 10 people per room bookings are essential

(a sheet and pillow with case are provided you are required to provide your own bedding!)

we also allow for campervans/caravans however you must supply your own solar electricity if it remains at our property for the duration of your tour.

In calm conditions canoeists paddling comfortably should paddle at approximately 4km/hr & Kayaks approx 6-7km/hr.
As a general rule primary age children find 8-10 km per day more than enough paddling with Junior Secondary age children find 12km a day sufficient.  Secondary students, as with most adults, find 14-16km more than enough paddling each day.

All trips listed below can be run in reverse as the Bochara is a ‘tidal’ river therefor it is wind strength and direction that determines paddle direction.

Information on the campsites, water access and wood collection can be found on the Parks website under Glenelg River Canoe Trail

It is reminded there is SOS only phone reception on the river – any last minute campsite changes or additional people need to be organised prior to setting up camp with Parks Victoria. Under booking can lead to unwanted congestion to campsites and fines will be applied by parks rangers if you have incorrectly booked.

Campsite Etiquette applies at all times!

You can access the short 5km Gorge Walk from Laslett’s Campsite – however the Princess Margaret Rose Caves are currently closed for repair. Parks advise this should be opening later in the 2025 season.

Itineraries

Important weather/wind direction information

If pre booking ahead of time –

With wind predominantly S/SW/W through the months 

August, September and October upstream paddles highly recommended!

Nov- Feb both directions can be considered however please consult BOM and make any necessary itinerary reversals prior to your Canoe Hire as Paestan are unable to assist any change your Parks campsite bookings on your behalf. You will need to access this through the Manage Now tab on your permit and can only be change 48 hours prior to your paddle

With wind predominantly S/SW/W through the months

March April and May Upstream paddles recommended!

Day Trips – No Camping

Due to our large volumes of multi-day tours DAY PADDLES are subject to availability.

A minimum of 3 craft are to be booked and location may vary depending on availability. Due to the location of basecamp in Dartmoor – day paddles are usually located in the upper segments.

 

2 Day Trips – Overnight Camping
  • D1 Pines Landing upstream to National Park Boundary & return Moleside to camp. D2 Moleside – Off at Pritchard  8km / 10km. Upper reaches paddle.
  • Pines Landing to Skipworth Springs Canoe Camp.  Off Sapling Creek  – 17.7km / 12.5km
    (big paddle! first day – adults only)
  • Moleside to Skipworth Springs Camp- Off at Sapling Creek  13.7km/12.5km. Mid river paddle.
  • Moleside to Georges Rest Off at Sandy Waterholes 18.5 / 16.2km (big Paddle – Adults only)
  • Pritchards to Bowds to camp Off Donovans 18.1/14.4
    (big paddle – Adults only)
  • Sapling Creek to Lasslets  Off at Donovan’s/Nelson. 9.5km/6.8km or 14.6km. PMR Cave tour (currently closed) . Lower reaches paddle.
  • Saunders Landing to Georges Rest off at Sapling Creek 11.7km/7.7km. Upper reaches paddle.
  • Forest Camp South to Lasslets OFF Nelson 14.5km/14.6km Mid-Lower Reaches
  • Battersbys to Pattersons Off at Dry Creek (SA Border – free camp).  13km/10.3km. PMR Cave tour (currently Closed). Lower reaches paddle.
3 Day Trips – 2 Nights Camping
  • Saunders Landing to Georges Rest, Georges Rest to Pattersons & off at Dry Creek . 11.7km/12.2km/10.2km. Lower reaches paddle. (good for young kids!)
  • Moleside to Skipworth Springs, SWS to Bowds & Off at Donovan’s Landing. 13.7km/14.4km/14.4km. Lower reaches paddle. (Good for teenage kids!)
  • Moleside to Georges Rest, Georges Rest to Lasslets & Off at Donovan’s Landing.  18.5/17.2/6.8 (Experienced / Adult)
  • Moleside to Georges Rest, Georges Rest to Lasletts & Off Nelson 18.5/17.2/ 14.6  (Experienced / Adult)
  • Pines Landing to Skipworth Springs, SWS to Pattersons & Off at Donovans Landing 17.7/17/11.8 Experienced Adult
  • Pritchard to Forest Camp North. FCN to Lassletts & Off Nelson .  11.1km/14.6km/14.6km. Mid/Lower Paddle.
  • Batterby’s to Patterson’s, Pattersons to Lasslets (PMRC Tours – Closed) & Off at Nelson 13 / 5 / 14.6 Lower segment paddle.
4 Day Trips – 3 Night Camping
  • Moleside to Skipworth Springs, Bowds, Lasslets & Off  Nelson
    13.7km/14.4km/8.6km/14.6km. PMR Cave Tour (currently Closed). Middle and lower reaches paddle.
  • Saunders Landing to Georges Rest, Pattersons, Lasslets & off at Nelson  11.7/12.2km/5km/14.6km. PMR Cave Tour (currently closed). Middle and Lower reache’s paddle.
  • Pritchards to Georges Rest, Pattersons, Lasstlets & Off at Donovans Landing  8.5km/12.2km/5km/6.8km.

The Glenelg River

Location
From Dartmoor (km)
From River Mouth (km)
Dartmoor
75.2
Parks Boundary
13
62.2
Pines Landing
18.7
56.5
Moleside Landing
22.7
52.6
Wild Dog Bend
25.5
49.7
Pannican Bend
28.5
46.7
Saunders Landing
29.5
45.7
Prichards
32.7
42.5
Skipworth Springs
36.4
38.8
Battersbys
40.4
34.8
Georges Rest
41.2
34
Red Gum Landing
42.2
33
Forest Camp North
43.8
31.4
Wilson Hall
48.5
26.7
Sapling Creek
48.9
26.3
Bowds
50.8
24.4
McLennans Punt
52.0
23.2
Pattersons Canoe Camp
53.4
21.8
Hutchessons
54.7
20.5
Sandy Waterholes
57.4
17.8
Lasletts
58.4
16.8
P.M. Rose Caves
60.6
14.6
Dry Creek (Border)
63.6
11.6
Donovans Landing
65.2
10.0
Chapmans (Border)
66.8
8.4
Simsons Landing
71.0
4.2
Nelson Landing
73.0
2.2
River Mouth
75.2

Ready to begin
your adventure?

Ali & Ben Rentsch

3295 Casterton-Dartmoor Road Dartmoor VIC 3304

Telephone 0429 381 875
Email info@canoehire.com.au

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