hobart from the seat of a kayak

There’s a beauty about kayaking…the soft gritty noise of sand as you’re pushed from beach to water. You’re first wobble once afloat. And the gentle splash as your paddle dips in and surges you forward. Yes. It’s a beautiful feeling.

From there - you glide. It’s a way to see Hobart like no other.
And when you do the Hobart Paddle Tour with Hobart Adventures, it’s an extra special experience. For one, you don’t even have to get your precious feet wet! They’ll slide you from land to water aboard your slender vessel.

And two, you don’t have to worry about gear. They have you covered from life vest, to spray jacket, to extra snuggly winter warmers. You just show up at Marieville Esplanade in Sandy Bay and head toward the happily yellow kayaks.

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That’s all we did- and from the moment we arrived waterside we were looked after tremendously. The guides, Jarrod and Tanielle, were mightily nice folk and eager for us to enjoy Hobart from a perspective few people see.

Our intimate group of double kayaks set out at a gentle pace, hugging the shore of historic Battery Point. Cruising past some rather prestigious foreshore abodes, we listen as the guides share stories and fascinating snippets of history that even impress the ears of local paddlers.

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On this twilight tour, we are blessed with magic conditions. The breeze is light, the sun is glowing and the water smooth. As the River Derwent opens out before us, we realise that tonight she’s in a lively mood. There are classic yachts, a cruise liner and even the spectacle of a seaplane coming in to land.

If you’ve ever wanted to feel small and insignificant- kayak over to a giant cruise ship and look up. If the towering monstrosity doesn’t make you want to wet your pants, the angry security officer threatening arrest will do. Just paddle fast in the opposite direction. Fast towards the dinner table!

That’s right, next stop is fish and chips. But, not in your typical restaurant setting. With Hobart Paddle we are tied together in a merry kayak bunch while Jarrod collects the freshest box of seafood goodness from a local fish punt.

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It’s an ironic feeling to be bobbing a few centimetres above the water enjoying a meal while a capital city buzzes away around you. It’s not every day that a kayak is your table top, and I’m certain I caught a glimpse of envy in the eyes of those sea-gull hassled land eaters nearby.

After dinner, it’s time for a leisurely paddle home. Taking a slightly different route meant that the return journey was equally new and intriguing. The entire trip is the perfect blend of activity, heritage, relaxation and genuine friendly fun. And you don’t have to be from across the globe for this type of experience, because for even a local, it’s often the first time you’ll see your home city from such a refreshing and special vantage point.

You’ll fall in love all over again…because falling out is not an option with Hobart Paddle!

To book a morning or twilight tour visit Hobart Adventures

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