History Afloat: Kayaking Popran Creek

Explore the incredible Hawkesbury landscape from a comfortable and easy to operate double sea kayak. Join us for a paddle along one of the Hawkesbury River's most beautiful creeks. Launching from Spencer we paddle with the tide past Holy Trinity Church into the serene waters of Popran Creek. Historical stories unfold through the lost names of Sawmill Flat, Kellys Creek and Kendall island with insider yarns about the lives, loves and legacy of the descendants of the first European settlers from cultural historian Bernadette Flynn. On the way catch a glimpse of the old school pick-up stop and abandoned wharves where once floating stores and butcher boats delivered to the small community of remote creek-dwellers.

The creek has abundant birdlife - we'll be on the look out for local visitors including azure kingfishers, white faced herons and soaring sea eagles along with passing marine creatures. Enjoy a rest stop and morning tea at 'Never Fail'. BBQ lunch at a secret location further upstream. We return to Spencer in the afternoon with the outgoing tide. Double kayaks and all gear provided. Instruction provided for beginners to kayaking.

Our kayaking guide is experienced outdoor adventure instructor Peter Vaughan. With a background in teaching at secondary and tertiary levels Peter is particularly keen on helping others to appreciate the outdoors and develop confidence in their own abilities. His primary interests are kayaking activities on rivers, lakes and the ocean. He also enjoys abseiling, hiking and leading groups into Tanzania and Mt Kilimanjaro and is particularly enthusiastic about programs that have mixed modes of travel which engage with the history and geography of exciting, new locations.