Organiser Bernadette O’Sullivan said 61 boats with more than 75 occupants had enjoyed the unprecedented opportunity to take an upriver trip down to Bellbrook.

She coordinated the event as part of the Save Our Macleay River campaign to highlight the concerns many have that antimony mining will have a negative impact on the waterway.

“We originally hoped to get 20 paddlers,” Mrs O’Sullivan said.

“There were 20 through our gates in the first 10 minutes of them being open.

“I think we delivered 110 per cent. It was a truly magical day.”

NSW Greens senator Jeremy Buckingham was among the participants, as was John Kelly – a Dunghutti elder.

“Uncle John pointed out lots of interesting facets on the river in cultural terms,” Mrs O’Sullivan said.

“Lots of people were paddling to keep up with him and hear his stories.”

A cross-section of ages and paddling experience was represented, with participants from eight-years-old to those in their 60s, and from regular kayakers to a family taking its first canoe trip.

The first boat to reach Bellbrook bridge did so in about two and a half hours, while the last arrived after four and a quarter hours.

At Bellbrook hall, information stalls manned by representatives of SOMR, the Environmental Defenders Office, NSW Farmers Association, The Greens and Macleay Landcare Network gave everyone involved an opportunity to find out more about river water quality issues from a range of perspectives.

The general store and the hotel in the village enjoyed booming trade from the weary-limbed paddlers.

“It was definitely mission accomplished,” Mrs O’Sullivan said.

“There were people telling me it was a dream come true to paddle on the Macleay and I kept getting asked when we were doing it again.”