Our Second Stage of the Mighty Murray

Our last full day at Renmark we went for a drive through Paringa and followed to the west when we came across a sign that said “lookout”. We thought why not do the touristy thing. We were so glad we did it was our first sighting of the cliff’s along the Murray. We were blown away by them. Such a contrast to what we are use to at “home”.

We stopped and saw the black stump too. What is a black stump? Well we still don’t exactly know. But this is a stump of a fallen tree that was cut by a special machine brought down from Queensland then an outboard motor was put on it to move it up stream. Then it was craned to it’s current position. There was some black stump’s used as outhouse’s, not sure if that was on the river or off.

We went from Renmark to a little place called Cadell. It was a great free camp with a park, boat ramp, free electric bbq’s, a clean flush toilet that smelt amazing and green grass. We meet our first lot of nomads that were happy to chat. They were lovely people.

From Cadell we crossed our first ferry and did a day trip into another little place called Morgan.
Morgan has the potential to be like Echuca/Moama but it hasn’t yet. They are restoring a lot of the old sites so can’t wait to go back there and see what it is like.
It was the largest port in South Australia. With the train station being right next to the port. The cranes still in their original position so you can get the idea how they use to load and unload the barges and paddle steamers. With a bit of a write up on the largest barge on the Murray, explaining how high the loads were and how the driver had to navigate his way without losing any of his load or running into the banks. Can’t wait to go back (child free) and read about all the history.

Morgan is also where the Murray turns 90 degree towards the ocean.

Ethan decided that he wanted to check out the hospital in Waikerie. He came down the hill too fast and lost balance in the gravel and ended up with a big cut in his lip & a slight concussion. It was a horrible 30 mins drive to get him there. I faced him all the way there talking to him and I didn’t get motion sickness. I picked him and raced into the hospital and I don’t remember struggling. What adrenaline does to you.

We moved on to Mannum in the morning. Another good free camp at Bolto Reserve just up from the ferry cost $10 per night. Toilets weren’t as clean as Cadell but still clean enough.
We got our first lot of wind, it started there and we are still waiting for it to stop. At least it’s keeping the temperature down.
We decided that we’d ride the bikes over the ferry to the park and hire some kayak’s. We got them for a few hours and had a ball. We paddled up stream then went through to some wetlands then back along the houseboats & paddle streamers. It was so nice and relaxing. The boys loved it too. Might be something to look at buying.

From Mannum we headed to a little spot called Narrung, where lake Albert & Alexandrina meet.
We followed the Murray along, past Big Bend, where the cliffs are at the highest, through Murray Bridge, first bridge we have seen in a week, to Wellington, the last town on the Murray, then around Lake Alexandrina to Narrung.

From Narrung we did a day trip to the Barrages, as far as we could get on eastern side of the mouth. Then to Meningie. Another great little town to return to. Then back round to a nice green grass camp ground.

We took a ride over the ferry, up to the lighthouse which is the only inland lighthouse.
We meet two wonderful couples at Narrung that have been so helpful, giving advice and ideas of places to go. Both have been doing this for 5 years. Has me thinking I wonder if we could do it for that long.

I have thoroughly enjoyed our trip along the Murray. From green dairy farms, to the red dirt with vineyards where ever they could get the water to, to salt bushes everywhere and harsh environment, then back to beautiful pastures on undulating hill sides. And the river itself has slight banks to no banks to cliffs of limestone/granite back to water meeting the banks.

This weeks thought that is amazing me… Everytime we pack up and move again then set up. It’s just like taking your home and moving scenery every couple of days. As nothing else is changing except the scenery. Our van stays the same but everything else changes.
xo