✅ What’s Included

Itinerary Activities

• Canoe hire and professional instruction
• Guided paddling on the Margaret River
• Bushtucker lunch with 20 unique native tastings
• Comprehensive guide commentary on ecology, history and wildlife

Guides & Support

• Experienced local guide (Helen Lee’s team, locally owned since 1990)
• Stable 2–5 seater canoes

Eco & Practical

• Meet at river mouth or Visitors Centre pickup
• Minimal-impact paddling practices and cultural respect education

🚫 What’s Not Included

• Additional food, beverages or snacks
• Transport outside the local Margaret River, Dunsborough, Busselton or Yallingup pickup area (surcharge applies)
• Child seats (vehicles/canoes have anchor points only; no seats provided)
• Travel insurance (highly recommended)
• Personal expenses or souvenirs

Seasonal Weather Expectations

Spring & Autumn (Sep–Nov, Mar–May) — Mild days (15–24°C), comfortable for paddling and swimming.
Summer (Dec–Feb) — Warm to hot (20–30°C), ideal for river swims and longer daylight.
Winter (Jun–Aug) — Cool and crisp (10–20°C), possible light rain but tours operate year-round.

What to Pack
River and coastal conditions with sun, possible wind and water – pack light, responsibly and for swim/paddle comfort.

✅ Essentials

• Valid photo ID (if required for any extras)
• 1 L refillable water bottle
• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Swimwear and quick-dry towel
• Comfortable closed-toe shoes or water shoes
• Small day pack
• Cash or card for extras
• Camera or phone

Insect & Weather Protection

• Light rain jacket or poncho
• Lip balm with SPF

Toiletries & Extras

• Personal medications
• Hand sanitiser

Luggage Limits

• Small day pack only (no large bags needed for this half-day tour)

Margaret River is the traditional Country of the Wadandi (Saltwater) people, who have cared for this land for over 50,000 years.

The river flows through ancient karri and jarrah forests, supporting a healthy native ecosystem with rare public access.

The area features significant Aboriginal sites and pioneer history linked to the famous Bussell family of Busselton.

The Margaret River mouth at Surfer’s Point is where the river meets the Southern Ocean, creating dramatic views.

This tour has won three state tourism awards for its unique itinerary and has consistently high ratings on Tripadvisor.

Locally owned and operated since 1990 by Helen Lee, voted one of WA’s top tour guides.

The Bushtucker lunch showcases wild foods from across Western Australia, highlighting sustainable native produce.

Carbon Footprint & Offset Report: Cave & Canoe Tour

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 95 kg CO₂e
(higher-end conservative estimate – covers all on-tour impacts plus average local travel to/from pickup points)

Our 200% offset commitment per booking: 190 kg CO₂e
Funded through genuine landscape restoration in climate-vulnerable developing regions (reforestation, mangroves, soil regeneration, etc.). This creates real net-positive impact beyond neutrality.

Tour summary

• Half-day tour (9:40am departure to 2:00pm return)
• Small group / family-friendly (2–5 seater canoes; suitable for ages 2–102)
• Meet at Margaret River mouth, Prevelly Beach (9:40am) or optional pickup at Margaret River Visitors Centre (9:30am); return to Surfers Beach
• Stable 2–5 seater canoes (no motor craft permitted)
• No accommodation included
• Meals: Gourmet Australian wild food lunch on the river foreshore (kangaroo, emu, wild turkey, crocodile + 20 unique native tastings; vegetarian options; pestos, chutneys, dips, breads)
• Highlights: Paddle upstream past cliffs, pioneer & Aboriginal sites, forested kangaroo habitats; swim in crystal-clear waters; views of Surfers Point & river meeting ocean; guided history of First Nations people & Bussell family; unique photo stops

Overview

This report estimates the carbon footprint for one individual participant on this tour using higher-end data from trusted sources. We intentionally choose upper-range figures to fully cover every impact – including hard-to-measure parts like supply chains and indirect effects.

We then double it (200%) and fund genuine landscape restoration projects in developing and climate-affected regions worldwide. This goes beyond standard offsetting to deliver real, lasting benefits for ecosystems and communities.

All figures in kg CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent – the standard measure that includes all greenhouse gases).

Tour Details

• Duration: Half-day (~4.5 hours)
• Key locations: Margaret River mouth / Prevelly Beach, Surfers Point, river valley, cliffs, pioneer & Aboriginal sites, forested kangaroo habitats
• Travel style: Gentle on-river canoe adventure discovering natural history, ecology and wild foods
• Assumptions: Average participant (including families), standard behaviours, higher-impact choices where uncertain. Local travel to Prevelly Beach / Margaret River Visitors Centre is factored into the higher-end footprint for completeness.

Calculation Approach

• Sources: UK DEFRA 2025 conversion factors, Australian National Greenhouse Accounts 2024, UNWTO tourism data, IPCC guidelines, and peer-reviewed studies.
• Higher-end scale: Upper-range emission factors everywhere, plus well-to-tank fuel effects, +20% uncertainty buffer, and conservative assumptions for local vehicle support and gourmet wild-food lunch.
• Per person, full tour experience.
• Excludes only purely personal extras (e.g. souvenirs).

Detailed Emissions Breakdown (per participant)

Transportation – 40 kg CO₂e

• Average local travel to/from pickup points (higher-end mix of car/taxi within Margaret River region): 25 kg
• All on-tour transfers + canoe support (minimal vehicle use): 15 kg – higher-end diesel factor

Accommodation – 0 kg CO₂e

• Half-day tour only – no overnight stay

Meals & Food – 35 kg CO₂e

• Gourmet wild food lunch + 20 native tastings (kangaroo, emu, crocodile, pestos, chutneys, breads): 35 kg – higher-impact estimate including production, transport and tourism portions

Activities & Excursions – 20 kg CO₂e

• Canoe paddling & instruction, swimming, short walks, guided history & wildlife interpretation

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 95 kg CO₂e

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset:2 × 95 kg = 190 kg CO₂e per individual booking
• How: Direct funding of landscape restoration projects – reforestation, mangrove protection, regenerative agriculture, wetland and soil carbon restoration
• Where: Developing countries and regions most affected by climate change (e.g. Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America) for maximum global benefit and community co-benefits
• Why 200% and higher-end estimates: To guarantee coverage despite any measurement discrepancies and to create genuine extra positive impact

Important Notes

• Numbers are deliberately conservative (higher) so we over-deliver on restoration – real footprint may be lower
• The tour already has strong sustainability practices (no motor craft on the river to protect the ecosystem, clean water maintained, wildlife and forest preservation); our independent higher-end analysis adds extra certainty
• Carbon accounting has natural uncertainties – doubling it is the responsible way
• This directly supports long-term carbon-sequestering landscapes and local communities

Is the tour suitable for beginners?
Yes — extremely stable canoes with professional instruction for all ability levels.

Can children join?
Yes — suitable for ages 2–102; family packs available.

Is swimming included?
Yes — swimming in the crystal-clear river is encouraged and part of the fun.

What is the Bushtucker lunch?
An exotic selection of 20 native tastings (kangaroo, emu, crocodile, wild turkey, pestos, chutneys, dips and breads); vegetarians well catered for.

Is pick-up included?
Yes — from Margaret River, Dunsborough, Busselton or Yallingup areas (surcharge for other areas).

What if it rains?
The tour operates in light rain; only extreme weather causes cancellation.

Do I need my own canoe equipment?
No — all equipment and instruction provided.

Is the tour suitable for solo travellers?
Yes — great way to meet others in a small, fun group.

How many people per canoe?
2–5 seater stable canoes (groups can choose).

Are there toilets on the river?
Comfort stops are made; no facilities on the canoes themselves.