Kayaking Upper North Johnstone River (from Malanda Falls to Platypus Pass)

The Upper North Johnstone River

On a cold wintery day, three couragous souls decided to brave the conditions, to complete an expeditionary journey along the Tablelands section of the North Johnstone River. These souls, namely Flounder, T-Bone, and Jorvo, decided to try the general flat paddle and to see the lay of the land.


Most of the first part of the river, was a flat very shallow, 5 metre wide section as we first launched under Malanda Falls. There was some thought later in the day (as we were bored) that we should have launched above the falls to see if we could brave doing a leap of 10 feet.

There are a couple of portages to be undertaken and some problem solving to be completed also.


Most of the river in the first half of the journey of 9 k's was where the meandering river was bordered by thick foliage and hard to traverse due to accompanying mud. So staying in the kayak was a plus.

However, the river soon panned out and into open country were the trio made a few friends of the bovine kind.

Three quarters through the trip, the adventurous group found (in the Middle of Nowhere) a gnarly rapid which housed slimy sharp black rock....of which Jorvo (in the blue RPM) soon became acquainted with.....much to the laughter and smirks of his accompanying comrades. So thus the rapid was named...."Middle of Nowhere"

After much intrepidation, and research into the lines that should be taken.....Both Flounder and T-Bone had successfully negotiated the rapid , as to where Jorvo....kissed the lip of the entrance and spent a few seconds admiring the rocks at close quarters.


It is amazing that you are still surprised of how much water can actually get into a small kayak....if you drive it like a U-Boat commander !









Towards the end of the journey, the river once again pans out to be a babbling brook amongst the backdrop of cow paddocks, and to the added surprise...river edging abodes of which feature many quaint corso structures.

This journey is thoroughly recommended as a flatwater paddle suiting the old canoe of which a most suitable social atmospere can accompany a very stressless lunch in the Tableland convenience.

Remember, when paddling the fabulous natural watercourses of this great country, please do not leave anything except for footprints in the sand, and take nothing but photos and memories.