Walpole environs:

Irwin Inlet | Kent River | Bow River

Access
Turn onto Peaceful Bay Road from South Coast Highway. Either put-in at Bow River (turn left onto dirt track a short distance from highway and follow until parking area adjacent to the river.

There is an alternative put in at a roadside picnic area about 5km from highway – but the inlet is very shallow here.

Suitable craft
Any canoe or kayak is suitable except it’s a plus to have a rudder if it’s windy.

Paddling Notes

scenic flatwater paddling.
paddle to inlet mouth along narrow channel which is enclosed by sand dunes and/or up Kent River and/or Bow River (the distance you can go upstream depends on recent rainfall).

scenic flatwater paddling.
paddle to inlet mouth along narrow channel which is enclosed by sand dunes and/or up Kent River and/or Bow River (the distance you can go upstream depends on recent rainfall).
summer paddling saw vast flocks of black swans at home on the inlet and much other birdlife.
Bibbulmun Track crosses the head of the narrow channel to inlet mouth – canoes kept in boatsheds here enable walkers to cross.
inlet may be shallow with many sandbars.
affected by winds but sheltered paddling is available in lee of southern shore.
sand spit at mouth is popular with fishermen from Peaceful Bay – 4WD access along beach.
access to Southern Ocean for sea kayaks when sand spit at mouth is open.

Irwinltup — The narrow channel to the inlet mouth.

Irwmthhl — The sand spit at the inlet mouth.

Information on this page is taken from the much‑loved “Canoeing in Western Australia” website created by Robyn Korshid which ran from 1997 – 2023.

We are deeply grateful for Robyn’s incredible contribution to paddling in Western Australia, and for her generous permission allowing us to preserve and replicate material from her original site for ongoing use by the paddling community. Please note that the content reproduced here is taken directly from Robyn’s original website and reflects information that was accurate at the time of its publication. Some details may have changed since then, and we recommend cross‑checking any safety, access, or conditions information with current sources where relevant.

Robyn’s dedication, knowledge, and passion have shaped paddling in WA for many years, and we are honoured to help ensure that her work continues to support and inspire paddlers into the future.