Equipment
Below is a list of some equipment hints and tips to use on tubing expeditions. Obviously you wouldn't need all this stuff on a day trip but a lot of it is needed on overnight stays

Tyre Tubes: Tyre Tubes are the inner part of a car, truck, tractor tyre and are a must on a tubing adventure as if you don't have them you're going to have some problems going down the river. There are many different sizes of tubes but they can basically be grouped into 2 groups. The first group includes car, truck and lite truck tubes. Of these three only the lite truck tubes are any good, as the car tubes are too small, the truck tubes center hole is to big and truck tubes usually have big hook valves which can and have injured the tuber riding them. The second group of tyre tubes is the larger group which includes tubes from tractors, scrapers and other heavy machinery. These tubes differ in diameter from 1.5 meters to 4, but the best size is about 2 meters. The size tube which you take usually depends upon several factors, the river length, the river height, the grade's of rapids you will be facing and the amount of people per tube you will have. It's up to your personal judgment which tubes to take but larger tubes can be more easily paddled, as you use oars and they can carry luggage for those long treks. Finally the bigger the tube the better it will handle rapids (to an extent).

Tyre Tube Rigging: While not exactly necessary, a base on the larger tubes gives you something to stand on and also in those big rapids, to fall on. A piece of marine ply or something of the same thickness does well and can usually be scavenged quite easily. Once it's lashed on (using seperate ropes for every hole so it can be tightened easily) your craft is ready.

Tyre Tube Purchasing: Second hand tubes can usually be brought from tractor or tyre dealers for the princely sum of 1 Australian universal currency (A slab of beer).

Puncture repair kit: About $3 from your local department store, for your basic 'temporary' small patch ranging to $40 for bigger and better patches at automotive stores.

Food: Food is food but it's usually best to have something hot when you get out. If your staying on the river take stuff which is filling and greasy something like snags as if your full it helps to keep you warm. On every river trip muslie bars are the go, as they are fairly filling and have a surprising amount of energy in them.

Water proof barrels: If these have a good seal in them there great to carry luggage in on overnight tubing expeditions.

Plastic Bags: Barrels being expensive aren't usually something you bother buying for a couple of tubing expeditions so to keep sleeping bags and other stuff dry plastic bags can be used. Garbage bags can be used if theres a couple of bags put inside each other (4-5). The best bags of all are new asbestos bags as they are extremely thick and tough. When using bags try to get as much air out of them as possible, but don't vacuum them out as if they get a pin prick in them they suck in water. Also put plastic bags in side backpacks strapped to the TOP of the tube this gives them the extra strength of the backpacks to ward off roving sticks and rocks. Finally don't forget extra bags for the second day and incase you pop one.

Tent: Either take tents to stay in on the river banks or be adventurous and sleep under a tarp.

Sleeping Bag: A good one because it can get bloody cold at night, also something good to bring is a thermal blanket, (one of those silver alfoil ones)

Wet Suit: What! I don't give a damn about the cold, you may say. But trust me it’s likely it’s going to be as cold as a witches titties. After about an hour in the water, if you don't have at least a 3ml wet suit you would sell your mother for one. As well as keeping you warm they'll stop you getting to smashed up on rocks. Trust me you definitely need one.

Old Shoes to wear in the water: These are a must as their are a lot of sharp rock’s and if you wear old shoes you don't get hurt.

Helmet: always a good idea put pretty important on big water.

Clothes: You would be amazed how many people don't bring a change of clothes to get into when they get out of the water at the end. They end up standing around looking cold while everyone else gets warm.

Oar: When on big tubes Oars are needed to paddle the thing. Preferably strong wood or plastic oars and not fiberglass as they last about 2 minutes before being torn to bits.

Life Jackets: This is more than a must this is an essential, as well as keeping you afloat it cuts down the wind chill and keeps you warm.

Misc: A hat, Sunscreen Mozie repellant, Torch, Dunny paper, Eating Stuff, Billy, Pan with detachable handle and, Water proof matches

Camera: This is pretty self explanatory, if you get any good shots send em to me.