RETURN TO DIARY

Across from our campsite at Customs House was a man made channel connecting the Murray River to Chowilla Creek. The first 100 metres were lined with rocks to prevent erosion from the rapids and the water was flowing at about 10 knots. It was only 2 to 4 metres wide with a few log obstructions and a couple of whirlpools at the corners. It flowed about 1 kilometre before slowing down upon reaching the Chowilla Creek. It was quite tricky going down but even more fun, for me not Sandy, coming back up at about 3/4 throttle. At one of the whirlpools the water depth dropped from 5 feet to 20 feet, I wonder if any Murray Cod lived there.

After leaving South Australia we followed the Old Mail Route Road along the Murray River stopping at Ned's Corner Station for a couple of weeks. We found a semi sunny spot away from the dangerous Red Gums on the banks of the river. A very peaceful time as we rarely saw anyone with only the occasional fishing boat or houseboat motoring down the river. We caught shrimp and yabbies for bait but only managed Carp again. Even the few locals we talked to were not catching any of the good fish. The temperature is still hovering around 40 degrees and we are swimming quite regularly throughout the day keeping cool. The river temperature has increased to 28 degrees so this may be why the fish aren't biting. I finally caught something other than a Carp, a Long Necked Tortoise! Still nothing to eat.

Lock 9, further up the river, its camping area has been closed, which is the reason we stayed at Ned's. I talked to the Lockmaster and found out that he works for South Australia Water Corporation looking after the Lock in NSW and lives in a house next to the lock in Victoria!

We stayed at the Apex Riverbeach Caravan Park in Mildura and I think the whole town population swam and partied till midnight as it was so hot still. We experienced a very bright and loud thunderstorm the next night as it traversed directly overhead scaring the daylights out of Sandy and the white Cockatoos! I don't know who screeched the loudest.

We finally watched a boat go thru a lock at Mildura's Lock 11.

I took Sandy to the Gem Cave where we were entertained listening to a talk on how they make jewelry from casting thru to polishing stones. After this we drove via Kings Billabong along the river back to Mildura. Many campsites available but they were mostly under the trees.

At Red Cliffs, stands the proud "Big Lizzie". Originally built to carry wool but being unable to cross the Murray River it was used extensively to clear timber from the Returning Soldiers Settlements in Victoria. I think the top speed was 2 mph! What a unique vehicle.

Travelling further up the river we found a lot of campsites but all too shady for us. Finally we stopped at Watts Bend which even included a sandbar for swimming, great. The nearest two towns were Nangiloc and Colignan which if you have another look are the same word spelt backwards! The river current is getting stronger as we travel upstream and now that the Darling River doesn't flow into the Murray the water colour has changed from dusty brown to a clearer algae green.

Sandy woke me at 3am and the caravan was full of smoke. We took the torch outside and the forest was thick with smoke! We couldn't see or hear any fire and decided that it was from the bushfires at the Grampians, 100's of kilometres away which turned out to be true. A bit scary when the only way out is back thru a state forest.

Travelling on we went via Boundary Bend to Passage Camp then to the Murrumbidgee River Junction.

The Murrumbidgee River flowing into the Darling River. Scroll right for more.

200 meters upstream we spied a sandbar. With a bit of maneuvering we got the van down next to the river above the bar. The next day a ranger dropped in to advise us that a total fire ban was in force, which included no gas stoves to be lit in the caravan!!!  The sandbar was on a bend and the river was quite narrow causing the current to flow quite fast. No use swimming here as you are washed away down river if you try, just dig your toes in and get cool.

A small detour now away from the river for a bit of Gold detecting. We are camped at a park in Tarnagulla surrounded by state forests full of gold, all I have to do now is find some. The camper next door has just found 2 one ounce nuggets!! So far I've only got one small one at 1.9 grams. I swapped some of my old gold for some new bits for the detector. 2 mono coils, a digital gauge and a speaker enhancer. I've got to learn to slow down when I'm detecting.

Next month we will head back to the river, till then take care.

Peter and Sandy