Hastings River Kayak & Mangrove Walk
Paddle the Hastings River from Port Macquarie into the mangrove systems upstream, where dolphins, pelicans, and sea eagles share the waterway with kayakers in a pristine estuarine environment.
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Settlement Point Kayak Launch
Settlement Point on the Hastings River is the main kayak launch site — the river is tidal for several kilometres upstream, and paddling with the tide makes the journey into the mangroves effortless.
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Bottlenose Dolphin Zone
Bottlenose dolphins regularly enter the Hastings River to feed — paddling quietly increases the chance of close encounters, and dolphins often approach kayaks out of curiosity.
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Mangrove Channel Entry
The mangrove channels branch off the main river into a complex of narrow waterways — the grey mangroves (Avicennia marina) create tunnels of aerial roots through which kayaks can thread at high tide.
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Heron Island Sand Bar
A mid-river sand bar near Heron Island is a resting site for large numbers of wading birds — royal spoonbills, egrets, and herons crowd the bar at low tide, visible from the kayak at close range.
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Sea Eagle Nest Tree
A large white-bellied sea eagle pair nests in a eucalyptus tree on the river bank — the enormous nest, used for many consecutive years, is visible from the river, and the adults often perch nearby.
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Hastings River Return Paddle
The return paddle with an outgoing tide is fast and effortless — watching the town come back into view from the river perspective, with the lighthouse visible on the distant headland, completes the circuit.