Cabbage Tree Basin is an idylic location surrounded by Royal National Park and nestled between the 2 coastal townships of Bundeena and Maianbar (just 50 mins drive from the centre of Sydney).Best departure point is from the Bonnie Vale picnic grounds where you can launch from a sandy and oyster-free beach front. If you don't have your own craft, you can hire from Bundeena Kayak and Stand Up Paddle for $30/hr or $60 for 4 hours and single kayaks $20/hr/$50 4 hours, double kayaks $30/hr/$80 4 hours. This trip should be done on a run in tide (an hour or so before the high) where the high is at least 1.5 metres. Otherwise you'll bottom out along the shallow inlet.
From Bonnie Vale you can either go out to the end of Deeban Spit and then turn along the inlet or cheats can carry their boards across the spit and head straight into the sheltered waters. After heading along the inlet and passed mangrove ecosystems you'll come to a bridge and a bit of white water. You'll need to crouch down to get under.
The basin is a large expanse of water about 8 metres in depth. At the southern edge there is a grass patch where you can stop of for a break. Just be sure to watch out for the oysters when getting off your board.
Cabbage Tree Creek is a narrow hidden little creek that extends a few hundred metres on the southern side of the Basin. Listen out for the cicadas in the summer - they put on an excellent - and loud - performance!
The trip from Bonnie Vale to Cabbage Tree Basin by paddle board takes about 3 hours return if you go around the sandspit or 2.5 hours if you cut across the spit.
This really is one of the best paddling trips around Sydney and a great short paddle boarding day out!
