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Honeymoon Pool Kayak Trail. Wellington NP

Paddle inSouth West

  • Full day
  • 8 km

This 8 km return kayak trail starts at Honeymoon Pool campground and follows the river downstream. There are some rapids that you have to walk around and the trail ends at a small waterfall where you can swim.

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Trail Start

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Honeymoon Pool campground, Wellington National Park, is 3 hrs south of Perth on the Coalfields Highway.

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The trail starts at Honeymoon Pool deck area, where the graceful peppermint trees trail in the icy cold waters.

Paddle downstream to your right; the current is minor and the route easy to follow. There are a couple of shallow rapids that should present no difficulty, although you will need to walk back up them later. Don't go down anything you don't want to walk up!

About 500m downstream you will get to Gelcoat Rapid that must be walked around. You will know it by a sloping rock face and a sharp right bend in the river. As you paddle towards this bend you will see the rock slope in front of you and the well used landing place. Do not paddle beyond this point. Gelcoat rapid is around the corner and not a rapid for the inexperienced.

Carry over the hill and relaunch at the bottom of the rapid. Continue downstream for a couple more kilometres of calm river. You will approach another rock bar and the river again veers to the right, and the horizon beyond indicates a waterfall. Stay left and land on the rock bar. Do not attempt to paddle the rapid and do not continue further downstream.

There are two drops, with a pool in between. The second drop is a 1.5m verticle drop creating a lovely waterfall. Do not attempt to paddle over it as there are shallow rock ledges below and do not swim of paddle in the pool between the two drops.

The pool below the second drop is ideal for swimming.

Do not continue further downstream. There are several obstacles including grade three rapids, a weir, irrigations canals, and finally, the river disappears into a tunnel underground.

Instead, paddle back upstream. The rapids are shallow and you will be able to walk or line your kayak up them. Take a short rope with you for this part. At Gelcoat, carry around as before.

Collie Visitor Centre

(08) 9734 2051

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Be trail ready for Honeymoon Pool Kayak Trail. Wellington NP

Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Time / Duration

Allow a full day to enjoy this trail.

Length

8km return

What To Pack

Group F (Paddling trails) required.

Trail Start

Honeymoon Pool campground, Wellington National Park, is 3 hrs south of Perth on the Coalfields Highway.

Get directions

Trail End

Difficulty Notes

Be prepared to walk or carry your kayak up a couple of small rapids on the return.

Hazards & Warnings

Do not paddle beyond the trip end. Do not swim or paddle the drops or Gelcoat Rapid.

Facilities

The campground at Honeymoon Pool can get busy during summer weekends and school holidays - bookings are essential at https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park-stay
  • BBQ Facilities
  • Camping
  • Car Park
  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet
  • Shaded Area
  • Toilet Facilities for Disabled
  • Water Access Points

Best time of year

December to March.

Fees

No fees apply

Trail Access

Road 2WD

Prohibited Items

No pets
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3 trail goers have rated Honeymoon Pool Kayak Trail. Wellington NP as 4.67 out of 5!

We love to hear from people who've been on our Western Australian trails, so it would be most appreciated it if you wanted to leave a review.

Jan van der Schaar

Reviewed 9 Feb 2020, 12:39pm

We launched our three kayaks up river from the jumping platform, paddled up to the bridge, carried them around the rapid, paddled up until getting too hard on account of the obstacles, turned around and, while shooting not just the rapids at the bridge, but also the Gelcoat and two or three subsequent rapids, got to a natural ending where things got too hard to paddle onwards. Paddling upstream then was just doable, pushing at one rapids, and with just one portage at Gelcoat. There we hauled the kayaks uphill and down the rock where the inviting water took care of our sweating bodies. From there and past a few, now known obstacles, we arrived back at the platform. A very rewarding paddle!
Fayley Arthur

Reviewed 31 Mar 2019, 3:35pm

We paddled this from Honeymoon Pool down to the waterfall 31/3/2019 and was very pretty, although the water level was quite low. Quite a few fallen trees to climb over but no blackberry infestations which was nice.
A mostly quiet, restful paddle, with one or two bits to port around, and a few baby \u201crapids\u201d suitable for beginners. (We have also done a similar path from further upriver on floating tubes with the kids ending at Gelcoat rapids which we did on the tubes)
Ron McLean

Reviewed 14 Jul 2018, 9:37pm

We paddled this stretch of water in March 2018. The going was easy and the landscape beautiful, with peppermint trees overhanging the water and rock outcrops at intervals. We drove in to the waterfall car park on the rough 4WD track (an adventure on its own), entering from Pile Rd/Lennard Rd and kayaked up river to Honeymoon Pool, then returned with the slow current. There are quite a few fallen trees that need to be ported over/around but they were not difficult at that time. Definitely recommended if you like leisurely paddling and good scenery.

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