Australis has some Christmas gift ideas to help you with those last minute buys - some new and some that are always popular. Gifts for family and friends or to treat youself.

• 1. Lifejackets (or PFDs): Everyone on a kayak must wear one! For the safety of your family (and to avoid a hefty fine) visit Australis and check out the wide range of general lifejackets for all sizes, as well as lifejackets designed for a specific purpose:  Raider L100 (for babies & toddlers), Ultra Rewa (for Women), Crewsaver Inflatable (less bulky and cooler in summer).

• 2. Kanulock Lockable Tiedowns Back in stock and great for peace of mind if you are going on holidays or just like to stop off for coffee or shopping after your paddle. Available in 4 sizes to suit everything from a surfboard to a big canoe these are without doubt our most practical 'must have' item. One of our faourites, year after year.
• 3. Dry bags - Large or small: for those who like to be on the water but still want technology at their fingertips the Floating Phone Case allows you to use your phone while keeping it safe and for larger items there are 10, 15 and 20 litre dry bags.
• 4. For simple things that gives you peace of mind but cost little: A Paddle Rope keeps your paddle safely attached to your kayak whether you are fishing, taking photos or even capsizing. 
• 5. Be safe in the sun: Fingerless Gloves and a Kalahari Hat in a wide selection of colours by Uveto or some Mirage shoes or new Havanna shoes to protect your feet from unseen nasties along the shore.

This is a question we are often asked and there are many sites that offer suggestions. Australis has listed some of the webites under Canoe & Kayak Clubs and Places to Paddle. There are direct links to Paddling Associations across Australia as well as links to information and maps relating to NSW paddling trips. Don't foget that when you join an offical Canoe or Kayak Club there are many advantages such as advice, safety, insurance cover, skills development and friendships that may last a lifetime.

With Easter and the school holidays approaching it is a great time for the whole family to spend time doing things together that they may not have tried before.
What could be more fun than hiring a canoe or kayak and taking advantage of the beautiful sunny days we are enjoying now? Day hire (24hours) from Australis starts at $60 for a single sit-on-top kayak and $80 for a canoe or double sit-on-top. Weekend hire rates (3 days) are $90 and $140, so for a small cost you can have lots of water-based fun. For more detailed information click here to see our hire rates.
Remember, if you decide kayaking is too much fun for just the holidays and you decide to buy, when you return the craft you can ask to use the hire cost as your deposit on a brand new Australis kayak or canoe! [Hire is available from the Australis Factory and you need to take it away to the location you are going to paddle.]

Australis sit-on-top kayaks are designed by paddlers so that they perform on the water. We can explain the design features that make this possible but you will really notice the difference when you try an Australis kayak on the water. That is why we encourage you to try before you buy with a free test paddle or to hire if you want to give it a more thorough testing. It is also why we have so many customers coming in and telling us they want to buy an Ocky / Foxx / Squid / Lynxx / Cuttlefish because they have just tried one that belonged to a friend or someone they met on holidays. Thank you to everyone who is spreading the good news about how great it is to be able to buy quality Australian Made Australis kayaks.

Australis manufacture six sit-in kayaks or sit-on-top kayaks for people who are looking for a smaller or lighter craft. The whole family can enjoy these versatile kayaks as they are great for young children through to adults. These small kayaks are all made to perform on the water, weigh 15-20kg and are between 2.5 and 3 metres in length. Fishing Packages are also available for those who love fishing. Don't forget to stay safe while paddling - children under 12 must wear a PFD at all times when on the water.

 Ocky     Foxx     Squid    Sit-on Fishing Packages   Funyak    Barra     Bass    Sit-in Fishing Packages

Only a few days until Father's Day and we have a great selection of gift ideas to suit every budget. If a kayak or canoe is out of your price range, why not look at the wide choice of accessories we have on offer. The scroll bar above has lots of ideas - from a Pealess whistle for only $3 up to a Double Outrigger Kit to attach to your favourite man's Bushranger Canoe. One new item to check out is the Navilight 360 2NM if your man is likely to paddle early or late - a super bright 16LED light which is magnetic and floats! More options can be found under the Accessories tag on the website. Go on - spoil your man! You know he is worth it!

There's a bit of a chill in the air but that doesn't have to stop your kayaking. Winter is a great time to explore the more sheltered waters of rivers and lakes in your area. The clear sunny days are inviting and sea kayaks and sit-in kayaks offer protection for the paddler as the temperature drops. A spray deck and wind-proof jacket will keep you warm and dry warm inside the cockpit. Gloves and shoes are always popular and the addition of scuppa plugs will keep you drier if you prefer to paddle a sit-on-top. 

Ocean, river or lake . . . wherever you go, take the opportunity to experience winter from the water.

With Easter and the school holidays approaching it is a great time for the whole family to spend time doing things together that they may not have tried before.
What could be more fun than hiring a canoe or kayak and taking advantage of the beautiful sunny days we are enjoying now? Day hire (24hours) from Australis starts at $60 for a single sit-on-top kayak and $80 for a canoe or double sit-on-top. Weekend hire rates (3 days) are $90 and $140, so for a small cost you can have lots of water-based fun. For more detailed information click here to see our hire rates.
Remember, if you decide kayaking is too much fun for just the holidays and you decide to buy, when you return the craft you can ask to use the hire cost as your deposit on a brand new Australis kayak or canoe! [Hire is available from the Australis Factory and you need to take it away to the location you are going to paddle.]

The Australian Made website has a wealth of information on the benefits of buying genuine Australian products. 

• It’s good for you – you support local jobs and our economy and the products meet our high Australian standards. They come with warranties, and should you need spare parts or service, the supplier is just a phone call away.
   
• It's good for your family and friends - When you buy Australian-made and grown products, you can be sure you are keeping your family members and friends employed.
   
• It's good for Australia – the effects flow through the economy and it makes sense to buy things that have been made right here in Australia.

Australis Canoes and Kayaks are Australian Made and Australian Owned. When you buy Australis canoes and kayaks you are buying Australian products and supporting Australian manufacturers. We employ locally and buy locally so that we can ensure that all out products are of the highest standard - therefore Australis has the confidence to offer a lifetime warranty on the materials and workmanship of all canoes and kayaks. 

Australis has some Christmas gift ideas to help you with those last minute buys - some new, some that are always popular, some unusual, some mundane. Gifts for family and friends or treat youself.

• 1. Trolleys! Carts!  A take-apart trolley helps you get your canoe or kayak to the water without carrying it. Carts by Sea to Summit come in 3 sizes - small for sea kayaks, medium for wide beamed kayaks and large for big canoes. Even more popular are the lightweight stainless steel trolleys for Sit-ons - for both single and doubles. 

• 2. Dry bags for phones or GPS for those who like to be on the water but still want technology at their fingertips. The Floating Phone Case allows you to use your phone while keeping it safe and the The Water Wallet keeps all your small valuables dry.

• 3. Our favourite is the Kanulock lockable tie-downs. Great for peace of mind if you are going on holidays or just like to stop off for coffee or shopping after your paddle. Available in 4 sizes to suit everything from a surfboard to a big canoe these are without doubt our most practical 'must have' item. 

• 4. Outriggers are a great way to add stability to your canoe or kayak: The Squid outrigger kit or canoe kits available as single or double kits and also as floats only.

• 5. Motorise your kayak! Railblaza has released a Universal Kayak Motor Mount that is easy to attach to most kayaks or sit-on-tops. This Motor Bracket will fit almost all models of kayak and is the simplest way to attach a trolling motor to your Kayak.

• 6. For simple things that gives you peace of mind but cost little you can't go past a glasses strap and a paddle leash. The Hides 3-in-one Glasses Strap by H2O is a neoprene strap that not only protects your glasses and also keeps them afloat if they come off when kayaking. A Paddle Leash keeps your paddle safely attached to your kayak whether you are fishing, taking photos or even capsizing.

• 7. Lifejackets (or PFDs) might be boring but thay are are also a 'MUST' for the whole family. Australis carries a wide range of general lifejackets for all sizes, as well as lifejackets designed for a specific purpose: Crewsaver Inflatable (less bulky and cooler in summer), Raider L100 (for babies & toddlers), Ultra Rewa (for Women), Ocean Racer (soft polyester - ideal for shirt-free paddling & SUPs). Don't spoil this holiday season by neglecting your family's safety - you are all worth it!

• 8. The Rack & Roll Universal Loading System makes it possible for just one person to load heavy, awkward objects onto the roof of their vehicle. Adapted to suit most roof rack brands and models and great for double kayaks or canoes, there is also an optional support leg available for very heavy loads. Still unconvinced this would make your life easier? Watch this video to see how easy it is to load a heavy kayak. 

• 9. A Thule Lockable Paddle Carrier is also a great gift for the security-minded paddler. Designed to make carrying paddles, oars or masts very simple, this multi-purpose carrier fits Thule Aerobar, Rhino Sportz, Rola roof racks.

• 10. Be safe in the sun with Fingerless Gloves and a Kalahari Hat by Uveto or some Mirage shoes to protect your feet from unseen nasties along the shore. Prefer to play at night? Have fun with the new LED Mini glowstick from Zen - with replaceable batteries you can have endless hours of colourful bright night-time visibility. Have a safe and Happy Christmas, everyone!