Gunbower Creek flows through the Gunbower State Forest and Gunbower National Park in northern Victoria, forming the boundary of Gunbower Island between Echuca-Moama and Barham. The creek winds through a Ramsar-listed wetland of international significance, passing through floodplain habitats that include river red gums, lagoons, and interconnected waterways. The landscape has been described as comparable to Kakadu in its ecological richness, and the area is notable for its diversity of birdlife, including white-faced herons, white-bellied sea eagles, whistling kites, spoonbills, pelicans, black swans, Eurasian coots, and purple swamphens.

The most established paddling route is the Gunbower Island Canoe Trail, a marked circuit of approximately 5 kilometres that passes through Safe's Lagoon. The trail is waymarked with yellow numbered buoys and takes around two hours at a relaxed pace. The primary launch point for this trail is the Canoe Site accessed via Koondrook Track off the Kerang-Koondrook Road, approximately 4.5 kilometres from Koondrook. An all-abilities canoe launcher was installed at this site in 2020. There are no toilet facilities at the launch point; the nearest are in Koondrook.

A second access point is located at Town Beach in Apex Park, Cohuna, which provides entry to the Cohuna Lagoon section of Gunbower Creek. This stretch is noted for its tree hollows and branches used by numerous bird species. Additional paddling areas within the broader Gunbower system include Reedy Lagoon, accessible via Plantation Road, and Yarran Creek, which connects the Murray River with Gunbower Creek and passes through wetlands including Green Swamp, Corduroy Swamp, and Little Reedy Lagoon. Spur Island can be accessed from Hipwell Road and offers faster-moving water during environmental water delivery events.

During large-scale environmental water deliveries, the forest can flood, creating rare opportunities to paddle through the red gum woodland itself. These events are infrequent and paddlers are advised to book with a local guide and carry a GPS to avoid becoming disoriented in the expanded waterway network. Life jackets are strongly recommended at all times. Paddlers should check current weather forecasts before entering the forest and ensure their skill level is appropriate for the conditions. The Paddle Smart Victoria website provides additional safety guidance relevant to this area.