Kayak Central Coast Self-Guided Tour Paddle Mooney Mooney Creek

Kayak Central Coast self-guided tour

This tidal river gives great opportunities to get close to nature as you paddle through the Brisbane Water National Park. Look for fish and native birds. You may spot sea eagles fishing, glossy black cockatoos helping themselves to banksia or pelicans gliding by. The park has a wealth of wildlife. There are 270 native species including koalas, wallabies and the threatened spotted tailed quoll.

White-bellied sea eagle

Push off where the Old Pacific Highway crosses the river and paddle south along the wide river to Cheero Point or the Mooney Mooney Creek confluence with the Hawkesbury River. Spectacle Island, a nature reserve managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, lies at the mouth of the river. Access to this island is restricted due to conservation and research purposes. In earlier times, Spectacle Island was named Goat Island and provided a refuge for marooned domestic animals. The approximate distance from the old Pacific Highway to the mouth of the creek is 15 km.

Other options for exploring

Paddle north from the Old Pacific Highway. The Great North Walk follows this part of the river. Explore the tributaries and look for fish breeding areas near their heads. You may be able to reach the Mooney Mooney Dam but you will have to walk the last kilometre—how far will depend upon the river level. Mooney Mooney Dam, a concrete arch dam is one of the three dams providing water to the Central Coast. Distance from the bridge over the old Pacific Highway to the far reach of Mooney Mooney Creek is approximately 8 km.

See maps over

1 Mooney Mooney Creek – south from Old Pacific Highway

2 Mooney Mooney Creek – north from Old Pacific Highway