Ku-ring-gai Chase NP, NSW
15.3 km (4 hrs )
★★★★☆

Having recently completed a hike along the banks of Cowan Creek, I was excited when the weather warmed enough for me to be able to return to explore the creek from the water. It was so much easier to paddle Cowan Creek than to hike its banks, enabling me to explore much more of this beautiful part of Ku-ring-gai National Park. The relatively narrow confines of the valley made for an easy paddle, and exploring the various inlets was a delight, with their often emerald green colours.

For this trek I ventured north along Cowan Creek to the signposted Smiths Creek. This secluded inlet was the highlight of the trek, with just a few yachts moored in the sheltered confines of the creek. I ventured up one of the arms of the creek to its navigable limits, where the stunning emerald green waters complimented the eucalypts and grass trees that lined its banks.

It was a thoroughly pleasant day out on the water, and definitely a place that I will return to and continue my exploration of this beautiful place.