Overview
Bring your kayak or canoe to Regatta Beach and explore Yanga Lake on your outback trip. The lake is a haven for wildlife and birds drawn to the wetlands in Yanga National Park.
- Where
- Yanga National Park in Murray-Riverina
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Time suggested
- 3 - 6 hr
- Grade
- Medium
- What to
bring - Drinking water, sunscreen, hat
- Please note
- Yanga Lake is in a reasonably isolated area, so it’s a good idea to bring all your supplies to stay safe.
- To paddle the lake you must be able to swim. Moderate level of fitness required.
It might sound strange to bring your kayak or canoe on an outback adventure, but you won't regret it when you arrive at Yanga Lake, near Balranald. Drive your kayak over to Regatta Beach picnic area to launch.
If you happen to be staying at The Willows campground or visiting Yanga Woolshed it’s a unique way to get a different perspective on the water birds and wildlife. The lake is frequented by birdwatchers, photographers, paddling enthusiasts, and active families with a taste for remote adventure and energy to burn.
Autumn and spring are the best times to paddle as this is when birds gather for breeding. However, you're likely to spot wedge-tailed eagles, white-bellied sea eagles, black and whistling kites, cormorants and egrets all year round. There's more than feathers to find here though; keep an eye out for emus, kangaroos and a goanna or two.
So, don't just imagine the sense of freedom and tranquillity of gliding through calm waters under the vast outback sky, surrounded by rows of ancient river red gum eucalypts - start planning a trip to Yanga that will inspire your deep connection with this outback landscape.
Nearby
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Regatta Beach picnic area
Enjoy swimming, boating, birdwatching and paddling in the tranquil lakeside waters of picturesque Regatta Beach picnic area in Yanga National Park, near Balranald.
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The Willows campground and picnic area
The Willows campground in Yanga State Conservation Area has tent, trailer and caravan campsites with picnic tables and barbecues. Great fishing and birdwatching awaits.
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Yanga Lake viewing deck
Yanga Lake viewing deck offers spectacular birdwatching and scenic wetland views in Yanga National Park, near Balranald.
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Yanga Lake walking track
Short yet rewarding, Yanga Lake walking track is a family friendly lakeside walk offering scenic wetlands views and spectacular birdwatching in Yanga National Park.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/canoeing-paddling-experiences/yanga-lake-paddle/local-alerts
Park info
- in Yanga National Park in the Murray-Riverina region
Yanga National Park is open Sunrise to Sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Yanga Homestead Precinct is open 8.30am - 4.30pm.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Yanga Lake paddle.
Getting there and parking
Yanga National Park office is at Yanga Homestead. To get there:
- From Balranald, take Sturt Highway east for 6km
- Turn right onto Old Sturt Highway before Yanga Creek
- Turn right into Yanga National Park
- Launch your kayak at Regatte Beach picnic area
Road quality
Check the weather before you set out as the road to Regatta Beach can become boggy when it rains.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Parking
Parking available at Regatta Beach picnic area.
Facilities
Water is not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own for drinking.
Picnic tables
Boat ramp
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
- This activity is not wheelchair-accessible
- Yanga Lake viewing deck, Yanga Homestead and gardens are wheelchair-accessible.
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Learn more
Yanga Lake paddle is in Yanga National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A pioneering history
Some of the country's renowned early explorers passed through this area, and you have the opportunity to retrace their steps. Explorers included John Oxley in 1817, Charles Sturt in 1830, Major Thomas Mitchell in 1836 and Burke and Wills in 1860. Visit nearby Balranald to see where Bourke and Wills' party crossed the Murrumbidgee by the Mayall Street punt, then camped by the river in front of Balranald Inn.
- Yanga Homestead Step in to the past and explore the history of Yanga National Park’s pastoral and Aboriginal heritage. Bring a picnic to enjoy while looking out to the lake.
- Yanga Woolshed Explore Yanga Woolshed in Yanga National Park. When constructed in the late 1800s, the woolshed was the Riverina’s largest. It offers an insight into Australia’s pastoral history.
- Yanga Woolshed picnic area Located in Yanga National Park, near Balranald in the Riverina, Yanga Woolshed picnic area is an excellent place for a barbecue or spot of fishing on the Murrumbidgee.
A remarkable landscape
Yanga National Park is blessed with 170km of Murrumbidgee River frontage. The river is great for canoeing or swimming, and its banks provide excellent fishing and camping spots. On your visit, you'll notice the landscape's unique contrast of black and red country. Vegetation on its black soil floodplains comprises river red gum forest and swampland, while its red soil varies from grass to saltbush to woodlands. Come and spot the differences yourself.
- Regatta Beach picnic area Enjoy swimming, boating, birdwatching and paddling in the tranquil lakeside waters of picturesque Regatta Beach picnic area in Yanga National Park, near Balranald.
Rich in Aboriginal culture
Yanga National Park has a rich Aboriginal history; the park provided resources including waterbirds, fish, and yabbies as well as shelter and medicine. Look closely at the trees in the floodplain where you're visiting – many bear the bark-stripping scars from canoe-making. Today, local Aboriginal people remain connected with Yanga National Park through employment or community involvement.
- Yanga Lake viewing deck Yanga Lake viewing deck offers spectacular birdwatching and scenic wetland views in Yanga National Park, near Balranald.
Unbeatable for birdwatchers
A large number of migratory birds rely on the Yanga National Park red gum wetlands. The park is a great place to see egrets, herons, spoonbills and glossy ibis using the wetlands as a resting, foraging and breeding ground. Walk to the bird hide at Yanga Lake to see great crested grebes and sea eagles. The park is also home to the endangered southern bell frog. This frog's calls' are said to resemble a distant motorbike – listen carefully to see if you can hear it.
- Yanga Lake paddle Bring your kayak or canoe to Regatta Beach and explore Yanga Lake on your outback trip. The lake is a haven for wildlife and birds drawn to the wetlands in Yanga National Park.
- Yanga Lake Red Gum bird hide All the family will enjoy spectacular birdwatching and scenic views at Yanga Lake Red Gum bird hide in Yanga National Park near Balranald.
- Yanga Lake walking track Short yet rewarding, Yanga Lake walking track is a family friendly lakeside walk offering scenic wetlands views and spectacular birdwatching in Yanga National Park.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Southern boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae)
The southern boobook, also known as the mopoke, is the smallest and most common native owl in Australia. With a musical 'boo-book' call that echoes through forests and woodlands, the southern boobook is a great one to look out for while bird watching.
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Common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)
Commonly found in forests, woodlands and leafy gardens across eastern NSW, the Australian ringtail possum is a tree-dwelling marsupial. With a powerful tail perfectly adapted to grasp objects, it forages in trees for eucalypt leaves, flowers and fruit.
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Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)
Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.
Plants
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River red gum (Eucalpytus camaldulensis)
Australian native plants, majestic river red gum trees are widespread across Australian inland river systems. The river red gum is a dominant tree species of the Murray-Darling basin which spans NSW, Queensland and Victoria. This iconic native eucalypt grows to a height of 30m and is thought to have a lifespan up to 500-1000 years.
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Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia)
A hardy Australian native plant, the saltbush is a small spreading shrub that can withstand dry salty soils such as those found in the desert plains of western NSW. It is grey-white in colour and has small spear-shaped succulent leaves. It flowers from December to April.