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Boating & canoeing

Victoria's waterways offer a view of the state's countryside from a different perspective than is possible with land-based activities. Sail boats, kayaks and canoes are an excellent way to travel the state's extensive river system and coastline. This can be done in your own craft, in hire craft on a self-guided trip, or on a guided tour.

Melbourne & Port Phillip Bay

Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula surround much of the sheltered waters of Port Phillip Bay, creating a suitable environment for most forms of boating. Around 20 sailing clubs can be found along the coast, some with extensive marinas. Heading inland, good places in Melbourne for kayaking or canoeing include the Yarra River, Maribyrnong River and many of the city's lakes.

	Bayplay	Providing a wide range of adventure activities on the Mornington Peninsula including kayaking, scuba diving, snorkelling, dolphin swims, surfing and horse riding
	Beachcomber Boat Hire	Hiring boat and water sport equipment from the foreshore at Rosebud West, including tinnies, kayaks, skim boards, surf skis and fishing rods
	Frankston Boat Hire	Hire tinnies, cruisers, kayaks, canoes or paddleboats from Frankston and enjoy boating on Kananook Creek and Port Phillip Bay
	Schnapper Point Boat Hire	From Scout Beach at Mornington, hire boats, kayaks and fishing equipment
	Sea Kayak Australia	Explore Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island and Wilsons Promontory by water on a guided sea kayak day tour. Multi-day trips to Wilsons Promontory and the Gippsland Lakes are also available.
	Stand-up Paddle Boarding	Take a lesson, join a guided tour or simply hire a board as you enjoy this leisurely water sport, either at St Kilda beach or on the Yarra River in Melbourne
	Studley Park Boathouse	The Studley Park Boathouse on the Yarra River at Kew hires kayaks, canoes and rowboats. It is Australia's oldest operating boathouse and although it's only ten minutes from the CBD, the peacefulness of the river makes the city seem a long way off.
	The Boatshed at Albert Park	Experience the fun of sailing and boating on the safe and enclosed waters of the lake at Albert Park, surrounded by beautiful park land. Sailing boats, kayaks and paddle boats can all be hired from The Boatshed, with refreshments available at the kiosk.
	The Enterprize	The Enterprize, a replica of the schooner that brought the first settlers to Melbourne from Tasmania in 1835, gives passengers the chance to experience life aboard a tall ship. Trips from one hour to several days are available, ranging from cruises from Williamstown to real hands-on sailing adventures between various places around Port Phillip Bay including Rye, Geelong and Portarlington.

Phillip Island

Victoria's favourite holiday island offers great opportunities for water activities. Situated at the entrance to Western Port Bay, Phillip Island has the best of both worlds - safe bay beaches and frontage to the exhilarating ocean waters of Bass Strait.

	Out There Outdoors	Hire a kayak, mountain bike, surf board, body board, snorkelling equipment, or take a surf or kayak lesson on Phillip Island. For anything fun outdoors!
	Phillip Island Holiday Hire	Hire a boat, kayak, beach shelter, chairs, snorkelling gear or camping equipment from our beach kiosk located on the Cowes foreshore at Mussel Rocks
	Phillip Island Marine	Based at Rhyll opposite the boat ramp, this long-established business offers boat hire, bait sales and other fishing and boating needs
	Pioneer Kayaking	Explore the coastline and waterways around Phillip Island on a guided kayaking tour. Tours cover the Rhyll Wetlands, Churchill Island, Cape Woolamai and the remote beaches at Ventnor. No previous kayaking experience is necessary.

Murray River

In the state's north, the Murray River is an obvious choice for water adventures. The lower part of the river provides for scenic flat water kayaking and canoeing, while the Murray Gates upper white water section near Corryong, and its tributary the Mitta Mitta River, have spectacular rapids. The Barmah Forest near Echuca is also a perfect spot and in spring, when the forest is sometimes flooded, allows for a gentle paddle amongst the red gums.

For anyone looking for a real challenge, the Murray River Marathon is staged each December. It covers a gruelling course of more than 400 kilometres from Yarrawonga to Swan Hill over five days. Shorter distance and team options are also available.

	Action Bike & Ski	Hire a bicycle, kayak or wakeboard from our store in Yarrawonga, or experience one of our half day or overnight kayak tours along secluded parts of the Murray River
	Adventure Victoria Rafting	"Live your other life" by experiencing some of the greatest whitewater journeys and incredible scenery on Earth. Upper Murray and Mitta Mitta River rafting trips offer the experience of a lifetime. Our journeys include one, two and four day adventures on ten river sections near Corryong, Dartmouth and Omeo. Whether you're looking for the serenity of a "float" trip, with gourmet food and wine, the adrenalin-pumping action of world class whitewater or a customised group itinerary, we have the action or relaxation adventure for you!
	Dockside Boat Hire	Why bring your own boat when you can hire ours? Choose from our range of run-abouts, tinnies, polycraft or kayaks in Mildura.
	Echuca Boat & Canoe Hire	The Murray is a slow-moving river with no rapids or white water, so experience the river up close by hiring an aluminium motor boat or canoe and explore the river around Echuca and Moama at your own pace
	Wild Side Outdoors	Canoe, kayak, bike hire and eco adventure tours around Mildura. Explore Mildura's backyard by hiring one of our canoes, kayaks or mountain bike, or enjoy one of our Eco Tourism Australia Accredited Eco-Adventure Tours, a great experience for the whole family.

Great Ocean Road

Victoria's western coastline along the Great Ocean Road is an ideal choice for getting out onto the water. Grab a boat or canoe and head down to the beach or explore the many waterways of the Great Otway National Park in the lush mountainous hinterland.

A popular place for kayaking and canoeing is the Glenelg River in Western Victoria, which flows from the Grampians to the sea at Nelson. The lower 15 or so kilometres are the most scenic, with a feature being a deep limestone gorge.

	Anglesea Paddle Boat & Canoe Hire	Hiring a large range of paddle boats, aqua bikes and canoes from the banks of the Anglesea River at Anglesea
	Apollo Bay Surf & Kayak	Offering surf lessons, hire of surf & beach gear and mountain bike hire. Alternatively, take a seal kayaking tour with qualified guides as you paddle out to a seal colony while viewing the coast's beautiful hills and reefs from the ocean at Apollo Bay.
	Clifton Springs Boat Hire	Have a great time fishing, relaxing or sightseeing when you hire a boat from the Clifton Springs Harbour
	Go Ride A Wave	Offering surf lessons and hire of surfboards, body boards, kayaks and beach gear for visitors to the beaches of Lorne, Anglesea, Torquay and Ocean Grove
	Nelson Boat & Canoe Hire	Experience the tranquillity and marvel at the natural treasures along the Glenelg River at Nelson and its surrounding National Parks by hiring a paddle boat, kayak, canoe, power boat or camper craft
	Otway Eco Tours	Operating fully guided tours through the Great Otway National Park and along the Great Ocean Walk. Discover Australia's most elusive animal on a guided platypus canoe tour departing from the Otway's town of Forrest. Take a mountain bike trail tour or simply hire a bike.
	Southern Exposure	Offering specialist learn to surf instruction, sea/river kayaking and mountain biking in areas around Torquay, Anglesea and Lorne
	South West Adventures	Specialising in outdoor adventures around Portland and the Grampians region, including rock climbing, abseiling, orienteering, mountain biking, canoeing, adventure walking, caving and rock pooling

Gippsland Lakes

Gippsland is home to Australia's largest inland waterway system, the Gippsland Lakes. The three largest lakes are Lake King, Lake Victoria and Lake Wellington, located just inland from the spectacular Ninety Mile Beach, and fed by several large rivers. Hundreds of square kilometres of navigable waters make the Gippsland Lakes great for boating, particularly for novices as there's no reefs, rocks or tides to worry about.

The country surrounding the lakes ranges from national parks to towns, so there is something for everyone. For extended journeys, there are several towns where you can stock up on supplies. At night, either tie up to one of the many jetties available or pull into a beach or riverbank.

	Bulls Cruisers	Hire a boat or a kayak for a few hours or the day from Paynesville, enjoy a private skippered cruise on the lakes, or spend a few days on the water with a fully-equipped cruiser
	Lakes Entrance Paddle Boats	Located across the footbridge at Lakes Entrance, hire a paddle boat, aquabike, canoe, body board or paddle skis
	Lakes Kayaking	Experience the Gippsland Lakes with guided sea kayak tours departing from Paynesville, catering for beginners or experts
	Lake Tyers Charters	Take a skippered fishing charter aboard the "Tambo Queen" on Lake Tyers, or hire a canoe or kayak and enjoy a paddle on the extensive waters of the lake, just a few kilometres east of Lakes Entrance
	Riviera Nautic	Offering a range of boats for half or full day hire from Metung, plus overnight yacht and cruiser hire for your boating holiday
	The Director Boat Charters	Offering skippered cruises for scenic tours and hire of a range of day boats and kayaks for use on the Gippsland Lakes from Metung