The Irwin River flows through Western Australia near the town of Dongara and Port Denison, emptying into an estuary that offers opportunities for canoeing and other non-motorised paddling. The estuary environment is characterised by riverine bushland, dune systems, and low-margin wetland areas that support a variety of birdlife, including egrets, herons, and grassbirds. Roosting birds are known to congregate along the southern foreshore reserve near a bend in the river, and paddlers moving through this section should be mindful of minimising disturbance to wildlife.

Access for canoes and non-motorised craft is available near Denison House along the southern foreshore reserve, where vehicle access and a launching area have been considered as part of the estuary management framework. Paddlers should note that vehicle access within the broader foreshore reserve is otherwise restricted to a small number of designated parking areas. Extensive boardwalks have been installed in the southern section of the estuary, which may affect navigation in those areas.

The estuary management plan for the area emphasises balancing ecological conservation with recreation, and paddlers are expected to use established access points rather than creating informal tracks through the foreshore reserve. Some sections of the southern foreshore have restricted access to protect fauna roosting habitat, so paddlers should be aware that not all areas of the riverbank are open for landing or exploration. The wider Dongara and Port Denison area has a recreational boat ramp accessible from Point Leander Drive, though this facility is oriented toward motorised boating on the coast rather than river paddling.