Thompson Creek is a coastal estuary located in the Surf Coast Shire of Victoria, Australia. The creek flows through a wetland environment before reaching the ocean, and its estuary condition is actively managed to remain open for water exchange. Key access points include Dans Nature Reserve, which is explicitly noted as a location to launch a canoe, and Rice Nature Reserve, located alongside the creek at 750 Horseshoe Bend Road in Mount Duneed. Rice Nature Reserve offers picnic tables and views of the water, making it a potential start or end point for a trip. The area is characterized by quieter riverside walks and is attractive for wildlife spotting, particularly within protected bird habitats along the wetlands. The surrounding reserves host many waterbirds and other wildlife, including ducklings, swamphens, and snakes such as Eastern Browns and Lowland Copperheads, which are regularly seen. The aesthetic is of a natural wetland creek, with pockets of remnant vegetation including Bellarine Yellow Gums noted in the broader area. The water body's character is quiet and suited for a peaceful paddle focused on nature observation. As a tidal estuary, paddlers must plan their trips around tidal currents, with optimal conditions likely occurring on a rising tide to assist with flushing and navigation. Wind exposure can be significant given the open wetland and coastal proximity, and paddlers should be prepared for potential boat traffic where the creek meets larger coastal waters. No specific regulations prohibiting paddling were identified, but care should be taken to avoid disturbing ground-nesting birds and wildlife, and dogs should be controlled to protect young animals. Seasonal water temperatures follow typical Southern Victorian coastal patterns, being coolest in winter and mild in summer. Water quality is influenced by tidal flushing and catchment conditions, with management actions sometimes focused on improving estuary health.