Paddle Southport to Deep Hole

paddle Southport to Deep Hole to access Southport Lagoon

From Southport slip it is just 100m across the Southport Narrows to Elliott Beach.  This used to be the last stop for passengers on the sadly now defunct Ida Bay railway.  From here you can explore the vast beaches to the east or you can extend this trip further by walking into Southport Lagoon on a well marked track for 2.5km walk. This Conservation Area is otherwise only accessible by 4WD or watercraft.

Distance: 200m return Southport slip to Elliott Beach

Suggested Time: 1-2 hours.  If walking to Southport Lagoon allow at least another 2 hours.  If intending to explore the lagoon, walk to Southport Bluff beach and /or King George III Monument (which commemorates the 134 lives lost in the sinking of a convict ship in 1835) allow a whole day.

Difficulty: Easy paddling.

Facilities: There are public toilets at Southport, opposite the main jetty at the T junction as you enter the town.  There is also Southport Tavern for food and drinks, the Rocketship for fine coffee, and the Community Centre for markets and entertainment.

Getting there: Southport is on the Huon Highway south of Dover. Once you enter the village at the T junction, turn right and drive almost to the end of the road (Kingfish Beach Road) to find the slipway. You will be looking across the Southport Narrows.

Plan ahead
Be prepared for the activity, bring enough water, check the alerts, and make sure you are comfortable with the difficulty rating.

For more information, visit the following websites:

Paddle Craft – Marine and Safety Tasmania (mast.tas.gov.au)

TasALERT – for fire, floods and other emergencies

Bureau of Meteorology

Leave No Trace is an internationally accepted way of minimising your impacts on the places we visit. Respect wildlife, be considerate of others, dispose of your waste properly.