Best Places to SUP around Sydney
Stand Up Paddling or SUP is a great way to explore waterways and, depending on your goals, a great way to get a full body workout!
Because you don’t necessarily need to get into the water to SUP it’s a fantastic all year round activity. Here’s some of my favourite spots local to Sydney and when to visit them.
Manly Dam
This freshwater lake is great for beginners, its quite large and you could easily spend a day exploring. Theres plenty of birdlife with black swans living on the lake. Parking is available at either end of the lake so my hot tip is to check which way the wind is going and park so that you can paddle into the wind to start and enjoy a relaxing coast back.
Manly Dam is open every day but you will find it is best for Stand Up Paddling on weekdays when it is quieter as weekends draw a crowd of water skiers. Parking is quite expensive at $8 per hour but a day pass will make it worth while so pack a lunch.
Water: Fresh
Swimming: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Best Time: Weekdays
Level: Beginner
Atoll inflatable SUP with kayak attachable seat available here www.adventurerigsaustralia.com
Royal National Park
One of the most beautiful places to Stand Up Paddle in Sydney is the Royal National Park. Entry to the park is $12 per vehicle for the whole day and you can use this for multiple parking locations. So take your paddle early and then explore more of the park with an afternoon hike. Audley Weir is the best spot to drop in with multiple parking and picnic areas.
You can choose to take the fresh water side on Hacking River or Kangaroo creek. This side will have glassier water and be a smoother stand up paddle but it is a shorter distance. On the Salt Water side you can follow the Hacking River all the way out to the ocean if you are up for the challenge. Or just go a far as you like before turning back. The Salt side is tidal so you can check the tides and time your paddle right to be going with the currents on your return ride.
Water: Both
Swimming: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Best Time: Summer
Level: Intermediate
The Aussie Atoll team at Audley Weir - join the team by grabbing your board here www.adventurerigsaustralia.com
Lane Cove National Park
Like Audley Lane Cove also has a weir which means you can access fresh water on the high side. This area is well sheltered being in a valley which offers super glassy conditions and a good two hour paddle if you go the full distance. Sadly, being so close to the city, the water in this area is not the cleanest so swimming is not recommended. That said the glassy water makes this a great spot for a winter paddle and you will see turtles, lizards, fish and LOTS of birdlife here.
If you want to stand up paddle the salt water (low) side, then there is a set of sandstone stairs close to the bridge near the steak house.
parking is $8 for the day and you can drop in right off the weir.
Water: Both
Swimming: Nope
Bathrooms: Yes
Best Time: Winter
Level: Intermediate (only because you don’t want to fall in)
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Malabar Beach
Malabar beach is tucked in and fairly protected by higher land on either side, making it a pretty good spot for beginners to try Stand Up Paddle in the ocean. Weekdays this beach is fairly quiet so you can paddle around near the shore without bothering the swimmers. There are lots of rocks on either side which gives you some cool views of ocean life as you paddle above.
You can drop in right off the shore or use the boat ramps mid way on either side.
parking is free
Water: Salt
Swimming: Yes
Bathrooms: No
Best Time: Summer Weekdays flattest conditions Early Morning
Level: Intermediate
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