about the paddle

The Mullum2Bruns Paddle is an annual event held on the Brunswick River, starting at Heritage Park, Mullumbimby ending at beach near Memorial Park in Brunswick Heads, a distance of around 10km. There is something for everyone:

Challenges: Competitive events, drawing top athletes from all over Australia, with valuable prizes to be won

Fun Paddle: Bring along any non-motorised craft that floats and have some fun with family and friends

Dragon Boat Flotilla: Quite a spectacle – not something you see every day!

Best Decorated Craft: Fun paddlers & Dragon boats

Duck Race: For those who can’t take to the water there is an alternative – buy a number for a rubber duck which will race 300 other rubber numbered ducks and hopefully win you a prize.

paddle objectives

  • To provide significant fundraising for the three stakeholder groups.

  • To raise the profile of each of the three organisations and their important contribution to the community.

  • To conduct a family friendly fun community event in line with the town’s vision.

  • To provide a supported opportunity for locals and visitors to make the 10km journey by non-motorised craft whether for fun or the challenge.

  • To promote our beautiful river for appreciation of the natural ecosystems and eco-friendly water activities.

  • To showcase Brunswick Heads and its simple pleasures, and Heritage Park in Mullumbimby.

  • To deliver benefits to the sponsors and showcase all sponsors as promised.

  • To boost the local economies through the “multiplier effect”.

  • To strengthen relationships between the organisations and build social capacity.

eligibility criteria

  • All paddle entrants must register and pay the required fee.

  • Participants who are 12 and under must wear a life jacket to be eligible to paddle.

  • Participation in the Banner Park Fun activities is open to all.

  • We do not support any participant who is behaving in a manner contrary to our objectives.

  • We do not support or condone the participation of any political, protest or activist individuals or groups in any part of our event.

  • No food stalls at Banner Park other than those run by the three beneficiary organisations are permitted. Only one drink stall at Banner Park and one coffee van at Heritage Park are permitted.

our history

Older residents of the area tell us that a variation of the Paddle was originally held in the early 1980s, as a means of fundraising for the local Mullum community. These faded Polaroid photographs show Grub, Moffo and Nige competing in their home-made craft. (Thanks to Les and Mary Donnelly for the information and photos.)

The Mullum2Bruns Paddle event was proposed by the Brunswick Heads Visitor Centre in 2009, and the concept discussed between a small group, but it was not until the following year in 2010 that the inaugural event was birthed.

The three founding organisations* were:

*All are non-profit organisations, run by volunteers, which rely on fundraising for their survival.

The Mullum2Bruns Paddle Organising Committee was formed, with representatives from each of these organisations meeting regularly to create the eco-friendly family fun event.

2024 Committee:

  • Jonathan Wilcock
  • Nick Varga
  • Bill Mun
  • Jo-Ann Spiteri
  • Craig Reid
  • Leigh Robbins
  • Chris Ashton
  • Kim Rosen
  • Kevin Fitzgerald

Community Groups:
Sincere thanks to the community groups who assisted:

  • The Brunswick Heads Chamber of Commerce
  • CDC NSW and Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club for providing the buses for the shuttle services.
  • The fabulous musicians
  • All the volunteers who helped out before and on the day.

Thank you…
The Mullum2Bruns Paddle could not happen without the dedication of the volunteers who make up the three beneficiary organisations. The months of planning, the days of setting up prior to Paddle day and the sheer hard work on the day mean that these funds are well and truly earned. We sincerely thank the volunteers for making all this possible.