Day Tour

Paddle with the Platypus Adventure

Category: Kayaking
Region: Derwent Valley Council
State: TAS

AUD $160.00

Adult
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Duration: 

3h
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Slow down, spot platypus and learn about their secretive lives with a local guide. Kayak downstream with the gentle flow of the river and pause riverside to enjoy a chef prepared tasting platter. No kayak experience necessary.

Operated By:

Tassie Bound Adventure Tours

The Paddle with the Platypus adventure offers an opportunity to slow down and spot platypus in their natural habitat and a chance to learn about their very secretive lives.

The Paddle with the Platypus tour operates every evening from September to May with additional morning paddles departing November to March. Guests are fully-guided, assisted by gentle river currents passing through local hop fields and farmlands. Pause en route to enjoy a locally prepared tasting platter showcasing award-wining and often hand-picked fresh produce in the evenings or a freshly baked morning tea.

Platypus are notoriously known for their shy and elusive personalities, making them difficult to spot in the wild. Operating on the river for over seven seasons, Tassie Bound Adventure Tours, know a stretch of river, only accessible by kayak, where platypus are very active through the warmer months of the year. The Paddle with the Platypus adventure offers visitors to the area the best chance of viewing platypus wild and thriving in their own natural habitat. 

A perfect adventure for first-time paddlers, families and platypus enthusiasts looking for a VIP backstage pass to the Derwent Valley region.

No prior kayaking experience required. 

DEPARTURE TIMES

Evening departures every day from October to April from 5 pm to 8 pm (Eastern Daylight Saving Time) or September & May 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm: or

Morning departures  Wednesday to Saturday from November to March from 8 am to 11 am.

INCLUDES

  • 2 –  3 hour fully guided tour of the  breathtaking Upper Derwent River.
  • Safety demonstration and local guides.
  • All premium kayak and safety equipment. 
  • Local Tassie platter of Derwent Valley Produce prepared by our chef on our evening departure OR a freshly baked morning tea on our morning departure. 
  • Platypus spotting (although we provide the best possible opportunities we cannot guarantee platypus sightings on every tour).  We have been running platypus tours for three years and have a success rate of around 95%.
  • Transfers back to vehicle at the completion of tour.
  • Pick up from Gretna or Mount Field National Park.
  • Complimentary photos provided at completion of tour.
TOUR DURATION

Approximately 3 hours total. 


We look forward to adventuring with you on our Paddle with the Platypus experience.

Please meet us at your pre-arranged pick-up point. Departure times are strict LEAVING times, so please allow plenty of travel time and aim to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to departure. 

We kindly ask you to respect your fellow adventurers by arriving on time, as we CANNOT wait for late guests. This is especially important as it will be getting dark. If you are travelling from Hobart, please allow extra time between 3pm–5pm, when traffic can be slower.

Before you travel: Please read our FAQ’s here:
https://tassiebound.com.au/faq/⁠�
Check the weather forecast here:
http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/forecasts/map7day.shtml⁠

What to bring: All mandatory safety equipment is provided, so you only need to bring personal items to help you enjoy your experience.
We recommend:
Activewear or hiking pants (quick-dry clothing preferred)
Sunglasses and a cap/hat
A towel
Enclosed shoes (runners or sandals suitable for water — they will get wet)
A warm, waterproof jacket
Any medications that you may need.

We will also provide additional lightweight waterproof and windproof jackets, along with all safety and kayaking equipment.

We recommend bringing a change of clothes for afterwards, and swimmers if you’d like to take a dip on a warm day.
Sustainability note: We care about the environment and do NOT provide single-use plastic water bottles. Please bring a fully filled reusable water bottle. Due to COVID-19 precautions, water is no longer supplied on tours.

Other important info: Snacks are provided. Our guides will take complimentary photos throughout your trip, which will be shared at the end of your tour on our Tassie Bound Adventure Tours FB Page.  If you want them emailed please email fiona@tassiebound.com.au within 7 days after completion of your tour. 


Please do not bring valuables. Mobile phones and jewellery are best left in your vehicle or accommodation. Car keys can be safely stored in our support van, which will be waiting at the end of the trip. For the comfort of our guests please leave your phones and tech in car of please make sure they are on flight mode.  There is no reception on the tour.

And a gentle warning… the river goddesses can be very fond of shiny objects.

If you have any questions about mobility issues, swimming ability or kayak type please contact us a few days BEFORE your adventure. If you are unconfident you will need to go in tandem with a guide or another person of your group.

Tandems will be provided for all children 12 and under.  We provide a mix of tandem and single and will be decided by guide on day.

Safe travels to the Derwent Valley. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us on 0417 008 422.

Our TOP 5 places to spot a platypus are:
1. Paddle with the Platypus tour of course!!
2. Plenty River at Salmon Ponds.
3. Flossy at the Possum Shed Cafe
4. Giant’s Table and Cottage (the ponds behind close to the Tyenna)
5. Rathmore Farm in Hollow Tree in the Dew Rivulet.

Or TOP 5 places to stay around Gretna are:
1. Tyenna River Cottage – For best rates – Call Veronica Youd direct for best rates – 0438 305 588
2. Maydena Cabins and Alpacas in Maydena – Call Christine for best rates – 0427 833 814 or Jo and Stevan at Maydena Alpine Retreat. Contact directly on 0406 316 933
2. Guest Suite in National Park – Airbnb – call Russell for best rates – 0410591517
3. Russel Falls Holiday Cottages – Call Vicki for best rates – 0421648610
4. Mount Field Campground – Call Mount Field National Park for more information
5. 28 Gates Accommodation and new accommodation Circus Key – Call Susie direct for Best Rates – 0428 371 701

Top 6 Things to Do
1. Mount Field National Park – Three Waterfalls Loop 
2. Westerway Raspberry Farm – Pick your own Nov – April and Possum Shed Cafe cakes.
3. Maydena Bike Park – Beginner friendly to advances – sauna and kiosk
4. New Norfolk – Esplanade Walk, Welcome Swallow Brewery, Agrarian Kitchen Kiosk and garden tours on weekends and Stephen Street New Norfolk, Saturday Markets at New Norfolk.  
5. Bothwell and the Clyde Mill drive, Post Office for Coffee and gifts/snacks and Earthly Delights Coffee on weekends.
6. Drive to Gordon Dam and kayak in the morning, lunch at the Pedder Wilderness Lodge and Gordon Dam with a stop at the Twisted Sister – easy walk or the Needles hike a bit more challenging.

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