My personal take on the dangers of the trip

It is safest to complete the journey in a group of three or more. This allows one person to stay with the injured party while the third person cautiously continues on for help.

Fire

There is a risk of fire any time of the year but these are highest in the fire season. Check the conditions regularly, especially if there are active fires.

• QLD Rural Fire Service Fire Bans and Restrictions
• NSW Rural Fire Service Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans

If in a remote area without coverage, if it is very hot or just hot and windy assume that there is a total fire ban. You will often smell smoke long before the main fire front.

Active fires can be tracked with a number of tools:

• QLD Current Bushfires
• NSW Fires Near Me
• Digital Earth Australia Hotspots
  Always use it in conjunction with the local fire service advice!

For more tips and hints on fire safety visit the fire service websites and check out my fire safety notes.

Weather

While it can get cold in winter, there is generally less risk compared to the alpine areas of the Murray. The biggest danger is likely the heat in summer and flash flooding and high flows in the upper Condamine sections.

High winds on open sections, especially the Menindee Lakes, could create rough conditions and choppy waves that could be unpleasant or even dangerous for inexperienced paddlers.

Windy.com is a great tool to visualise current wind patterns and WillyWeather.com.au is another useful site.

Snakes

Don't panic about snakes, but take simple precautions and stay alert. They are most active during the warmer months and numbers are greatest after a good wet season where their food supply of mice and frogs can support higher populations.

Having completed half of the trip, I have only seen one brown snake that happened to be swimming across the river.

Some advice and precautions about snakes can be found here.

Water

There is a high level of contamination from the upper reaches of the system and you should always treat the water.

Water borne diseases

There is a real risk with both wild animals and domesticated cattle contaminating the river, with carcasses and faeces.

Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria)

All of the major Australian rivers will have a risk of these during the warmer months and the Darling River is no exception. Unlike other major rivers, blooms are likely missed and warnings will not be issued.

Read a bit more about it here that includes some warning information sites and contacts too.

Navigation

In high flows it is recommended to carry a GPS unit to assist navigation when the river channel is not clearly defined. This is particularly useful in the Culgoa floodplains though it may prevent an accidental detour in Lake Kajarabie!

Safety Gear

Key gear to take includes:

PLB

A Personal Locator Beacon (PBL) could be your final lifeline in case of emergency.

First-aid Kit

A complete kit is recommended as well as any personal prescription medication. In the hotter summer months, hyperthermia could also be an issue, especially when coupled with exhaustion, dehydration and / or sun stroke, a space blanket could be a useful inclusion

Footwear

Comfortable, protective shoes should be carried in case you have to walk away from the river.

Shelter & Clothing

Even in summer you could face heavy rain and freezing temperatures at night. Dress appropriately and take some form of shelter. It is vital that you keep your sleeping gear and some clothes dry (i.e. double bags or dry bags).

Food

Take adequate supplies of food and have up to a week's spare food in the remote sections.

Water

You will have to treat water along the way to make it fully safe to drink. I used a lightweight filter with backup options of chemical or boiling treatment. Refer to the Water Treatment page for various options on how you can clarify and treat water.

Fire

Waterproof matches or lighters in waterproof bags.

Sun Protection

Sunglasses, a sun hat, covering clothing and sunscreen for unprotected skin is strongly recommended.

Before you leave areas with mobile reception, check fire dangers and bans as well as the long term forecasts and weather warnings.

Remember to register your trip with friends and family, making sure that they know when you expect to return. If you have a PLB, update your trip plans online.

Kayaking

The two leading causes of death kayaking are drowning and exposure (hypothermia).

Hypothermia is not a huge concern as long as you have dry clothes to change into. At Bourke the water temperature varied from 10°C in winter to 30°C in summer. Higher sections of the Condamine would have more risk in winter, though even there frosts are rare and snow is almost unheard of. The water temperature at Warwick rarely gets below 5°C.

The risks of drowning are greatest with whitewater kayaking, but even flat water kayaking has its own dangers, especially when you have to plan your trip around flooding rain that means you will be kayaking through the tree tops at times.

Weirs are also unmarked and you should remain vigilant. They are known as drowning machines for good reason!