Located within the stunning Everlasting Swamp National Park in North Coast, the Sportsmans Creek canoe trail is a picturesque and tranquil area perfect for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. The area is accessible and suitable for families, offering easy flat-water paddling that takes visitors on a journey back to nature in a birdwatcher's paradise.
To fully enjoy the Sportsmans Creek canoe trail, it is recommended to bring drinking water, a hat, sunscreen, raincoat, snacks, sturdy shoes, suitable clothing, and a first aid kit. Additionally, consider arranging a car pick up if you prefer a one-way trip by parking where Sportsmans Creek meets the Lawrence Downs State Forest fire trail. For a return trip, packing a picnic lunch is a great idea.
The Sportsmans Creek canoe trail provides the opportunity to paddle through the tranquil waters of Sportsmans Creek and Woody Creek, both of which always have high enough water levels for kayaking. If fishing is your passion, be sure to bring your fishing rod and cast a line for bass and mullet. From the south end of Woody Creek, visitors can also paddle west into Reedy Creek and explore Teal Lagoon, a beautiful wetland in the heart of the area.
Throughout the canoe trail, paddlers will have the chance to appreciate the rare coastal wetland and its unique biodiversity. The tree-lined creeks and wetland provide a serene environment to observe jabiru and brolgas in their natural habitat. Launching at Woody Creek, paddlers will glide past green rushes and violet water lilies while ducks take flight. As you venture along Sportsmans Creek for 5.
1 km, you will be shaded by old red gum, swamp oak, and paperbark trees. Keeping your binoculars handy is recommended for avid birdwatchers, as the wetland is known as the 'Kakadu of the south' due to the abundant wildlife it attracts.
Returning the way you came or arranging for a car pick up at the Lawrence Downs State Forest fire trail is a convenient way to complete the canoe trail. The Sportsmans Creek canoe trail is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, providing a truly immersive experience in the beauty and serenity of Everlasting Swamp National Park.