The Donnelly is an important part of the river system in the South West. It is a picturesque and tranquil waterway that is used for fishing, canoeing and boating.

The Donnell offers a scenic Paddle through pristine bush with impressive limestone cliffs close to coast, unspoilt beaches and the dramatic southern ocean for miles.

Canoeing on Donnelly River is accessed from Vasse Highway turn onto Boat Landing Road, about 53km south of Nannup and 2km south of Scott Road. Once in the water at the boat landing, the river is Paddleable for 300- 400 metres upstream only, due to fallen logs blocking the way, but downstream it is Paddleable all year round, whether sand bar at mouth has opened or not.

The channel opens when the water level behind builds up enough and usually with a high tide. About 12 km to river mouth from Boat Landing. If paddling down one day and back the next it is possible to camp in low dunes near river mouth. You can explore the lagoon about 4km from mouth for much birdlife including swamphens, sea birds, black swans, Pacific ducks, blue cranes, goshawks.