3-Day Packrafting & Navigation Training Program
Primary Location – Mitchell River National Park
Our preferred venue for this program is Mitchell River National Park, pending suitable water levels. This area offers a spectacular wilderness environment, diverse terrain features ideal for map-based training, and enjoyable Grade 2–3 moving water perfectly suited to skill development.
The landscape includes:
- towering river cliffs
- deep pools and narrow chutes
- old-growth eucalypt forest
- a genuine remote-area feel
- culturally significant Indigenous sites accessible from the river
Alternative Location – Mitta Mitta River (Anglers Rest)
If water levels on the Mitchell are unsuitable, the program will be delivered on the Mitta Mitta River near Anglers Rest. This alpine river corridor provides:
- consistent Grade 2–3+ rapids suitable for intermediate-level training
- excellent terrain for navigation training
- snow gum forests, mountain ridgelines and crystal-clear alpine water
The High Country environment makes this section a reliable, safe and beautiful alternative venue.
Training Components
Across the three days, participants receive comprehensive instruction in packrafting technique, river safety, and practical backcountry navigation.
Packrafting Skills
- Understanding packrafting equipment and safe packing
- Inflation/deflation techniques and raft care
- Introduction to paddle strokes and efficient forward paddling
- Boat handling and stability on moving water
- Reading simple to intermediate river features
- Understanding river hydrology and common hazards
- Line choice, eddy entry and exit, ferry-gliding
- Rapid scouting and safe decision-making
Safety & Risk Management
- Group communication protocols on the water
- Identifying, assessing and managing hazards
- Cold-water considerations and personal safety
- Throwbag demonstrations and basic rescue concepts
- Awareness of swiftwater dynamics in moving-water environments
Navigation & Expedition Skills
- Understanding topographic maps: symbols, scale and contours
- Terrain association and relating landforms to the map
- Using natural features as handrails and catching features
- Estimating distance and travel time
- Identifying river bends, landforms and route options
- Orienting the map in the field and using simple grid references
- Planning short navigation “legs”
- Situational awareness and decision-making in dynamic environments
Training Outcome
Participants will finish the program with:
- Confidence paddling Grade 2 water in a remote environment
- Practical and transferable navigation skills for hiking and river travel
- Increased awareness of river safety, risk management and personal responsibility
- Improved teamwork, communication and personal confidence
- An introduction to lightweight expedition travel and remote-area campcraft
Inclusions
-
Two Paddle Australia–qualified instructors with:
- Swiftwater Rescue certification
- Wilderness First Aid
- Expedition Medicine training
- Extensive guiding and outdoor education experience
- Packrafts, PFDs, helmets, wetsuits, paddles and all river safety equipment
- Maps, compasses and all navigation resources
- Two nights of riverside camping
- Parks Victoria–licensed and fully insured operators
- All group safety, rescue and communication devices
All-Inclusive Program Cost
Fully inclusive of instruction, equipment, navigation resources, safety systems and camping support for the entire three-day program.
Attendees will be required to help with a shuttle
Booking Terms
A non-refundable 10 % booking fee is incurred at the time of purchase.
- 14+ days notice: 10 % fee to reschedule or cancel
- 7–14 days notice: 50 % fee to reschedule or cancel
- Less than 7 days notice / No show: Full payment forfeited
Meet Your Instructors
Paddy Howlett
Paddle Australia qualified whitewater instructor & packraft specialist with over 20 years’ experience paddling and racing many different water craft. Paddy is an ex-military veteran, professional navigation instructor, and outdoor educator with an aviation and rescue helicopter background. Paddy also holds a sailing instructor and mountain bike instructor qualification. He has competed internationally in adventure racing, nationally in rogaining, and most recently completed the world’s toughest expedition paddle — the Yukon 1000, a 1600km race from Canada to Alaska through some of the planet’s remotest wilderness.
Kelly van den Berg
Mountain guide, professional outdoor educator, and expedition medic. Kelly has led and supported wilderness expeditions across Australia and overseas, from Sahara deserts to alpine ascents. A qualified raft guide, Paddle Australia trainee guide, and Operations 1 CAA certified, she also partnered Paddy as navigator in the Yukon 1000 Expedition Race.
All Gippsland Adventure staff hold current wilderness first aid, professional white water rescue qualifications, WWCC and are fully insured and are Parks Victoria licensed operators. Guide ratio will be no more than 1:4 as stipulated in Australian Outdoor Practice Guidelines
