History Afloat: Kayaking Pumpkin Creek

Kayak the mysterious waterway of Pumpkin Point Creek. A beautiful and immersive tour gliding with the tide. Lunch at abandoned homestead.

Launching from Spencer we paddle into the Hawkesbury River past Greenmans, the site of the first inn on the Lower Hawkesbury River, and many a ghost story. Pulling in at Marlow enjoy a morning tea while hearing about the timber getters, exconvicts and sly groggers.

Our journey downstream takes us past stands of mangroves alongside twisted angophora, hillsides of grass trees and sandstone formations. On the way catch a glimpse of Mariner Bowles' 19th century cottage at 'Gentlemans Halt' once a school and post office of a small vibrant community and further on the fishing settlement of the multi-generational Davidson families. Enjoy the birdlife along this stretch of the Lower Hawkesbury including soaring sea eagles, pelicans, herons, fishing cormorants, and kingfishers.

Entering the seldom visited Pumpkin Creek we glide up the magical meandering waterway passing abandoned wharves and the cave where Peter Hibbs is reputed to have lived. Lunch along Pumpkin Creek at an abandoned homestead. Returning back to Spencer in the afternoon. Double kayaks, all gear, morning tea and lunch is provided.

Our 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.