Australia
Balranald

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Viaggiatori in questo posto
    • Giorno 28

      Days 26 - 28

      2 aprile 2023, Australia

      Distance travelled 922kms
      Next town Boundary Bend

      Finally made it into Balranald after a long 5 day paddle from Maude during which the only people I saw was 2 guys in a tinnie, so very isolated. The Nanga National Park borders the river for most of this section, so more wildlife now, kangaroos, emus, native water rats and even a couple of tortoises sitting on a log who plopped into the river when they saw me, and of course, lots of birds.
      I passed the point where Captain Sturt put his whaleboat into the Murrumbidgee, there is a blazed tree there apparently but I missed it. They rowed down to the Murray Mouth only to find it was unsuitable for shipping, so then rowed the 1500kms back upstream against the current. Phew!
      Negotiated Redbank weir, the final one, with the usual amount of stress and difficulty.
      Rest day tomorrow, then 3 days paddle down to the Murray Junction at Boundary Bend to finish.
      M
      Leggi altro

    • Giorno 2

      Wagga Wagga - Gol Gol

      12 maggio 2022, Australia ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

      Rain drops fell on our roof all night. Feeling frustrated about the lack of sleep and awake since early hours, we realised it was 6.50 am already. It was still dark outside. As soon as Josie heard us move, she wanted to go outside. The weather was awful and we managed to get on the road by 8.30 am. A quick stop at Narranderra for fuel and the journey continues along the rainy bumpy country road. We knew there was a long trip ahead. By midday we reached Hay and had a quick lunch. The 'highway' is only 2 lanes, in terrible condition, trucks and road trains coming from all direction but what was worse it was just straight and boring. The scenery for sure would have been more interesting with some sunshine but with intermittent rain along the entire way the scrubby landscape did little to lift our spirits. After 4 pm we arrived at Gol Gol, what seemed to be an outer suburb of Mildura. We were pleasantly surprised by the town on the Marrumbigee River. A long walk was the order of the afternoon and then it was time to start cooking dinner. A bottle of wine was consumed - something that we regretted later.Leggi altro

    • Giorno 114

      Menindee

      29 agosto 2023, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

      Friday 25th
      Another lazy day, we didn’t wake up until nearly 9am, and are sleeping very well. No toast for breakfast today, as the toaster is kaput. Just for a change, we had pancakes and maple syrup. Yum.

      Spent most of the day relaxing and reading and enjoying the peace and tranquility of the surroundings. The sun was shining, and the lake was glassy as there was no wind, no flies, just some ducks and egrets passing by. It is such a lovely way to spend the last few days of our trip.

      We have booked a sunset cruise on the River Lady, which is a 2-hour cruise on the lake and wetlands, leaving at 4pm and returning at 6pm, so about 3.30pm we got ready and headed down the road. We drove there, as it was a bit too far to walk and would have been dark by the time we got back.

      The boat cruised for about an hour, then stopped at a place called Rosie’s Garden, where paddle steamers used to stop. There was little infrastructure left at the site, but we got off the boat and walked around and it was a good opportunity to take photos. There were so many birds on the water, nesting in trees and flying past, and small fish jumping out of the water.

      The sun was getting low by the time we got back and disembarked and headed back to the caravan.

      When we got back, we heard some more sad news. Jenny, close friend of Theo’s sister Loretta and her family, had just passed away. She had been battling cancer for many years. We knew Jenny well and are very sad for husband Jeff and her children and grandchildren. She was always so strong and positive and always had a smile on her face. She was determined to make it to her birthday, which she did 4 days ago. Jenny you were such a fighter and will be missed by so many people. We celebrated your life with your favourite drink, Baileys while watching the setting sun. RIP Jenny.

      We have really enjoyed our relaxing time at Lake Pamamaroo, it was a great way to finish up our holiday, eating, reading, drinking, bird watching and at the end of the day watching the sun go down, before the stars and moon appeared in the clear night sky.

      We came in planning on staying for one night, but after enjoying 5 nights, we sadly packed up as it was time to move on.

      Our next stop was Pooncarie on the Darling River. The region was first settled by Europeans during the 1840’s. In the mid-19th century, the towns Darling River Wharf was very active as paddle steamers carried wool on the way to South Australia. The population now is about 220, and it is a very small town. Last time we stayed here, there was very little water in the river. Today, the river was quite high and flowing following recent flooding earlier this year. Near where we camped there was a tree with a water mark high on the trunk, showing the height of the floods.

      The site where the wharf was is now a café, which we had eaten at before, but found it to be closed today. We found a camp on the Darling River about one kilometre from town, set up and then walked into town and had a counter lunch at the Pooncarie Hotel.

      We like to support local communities when passing through or staying in towns, and often buy lunch or take aways or groceries in these communities.

      When we got back, we lit the fire and watched the bird life on the river. I thought that the water was looking a bit green, and discovered that 13 days ago, a red alert had been issued for high levels of toxic blue-green algae. Good thing we did not catch any fish.

      Our neighbours Di and Ben (from Bendigo) joined us around the campfire, and we had a lovely night chatting to them.
      Leggi altro

    • Giorno 321

      Three in a free camp

      4 marzo 2022, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

      Mum hasn’t be camping since BC (before children. That’s her children, so it was a while ago) back then it was a canvas tent slung out the back of the ‘27 Chev. She loved our spot by the Murrumbidgee near Balranald at Mamanga Campground Yanga National Park.
      It had only just reopened in the last couple of days after floodwater subsided. This was just your normal Murrumbidgee flooding. Nothing like the East Coast is experiencing right now.
      Down the road a little we visited the Yanga Homestead which is now a museum after the pastoral lease was sold back to the government and the land converted into a National park. Ad a grand old property it must have been.
      Leggi altro

    • Giorno 297

      Boundary bend

      24 febbraio 2019, Australia ⋅ 🌬 29 °C

      Pulled up at a place called Boundary bend. A once upon time town but once again a lovely spot on the Murray. No time for fishing have to be in Mildura tomorrow for a hair cut so will have to come back another day. We will enjoy a beautiful evening here with the temperature in the late 20s.Leggi altro

    • Giorno 301

      From Cohuna VIC to Barmera SA

      28 febbraio 2019, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

      Traveled in and out of NSW and Victoria on some back roads to South Australia to avoid quarantine as they are only on the main roads. They take there job really seriously!!! Spent a night at Wentworth which isis where the Murray River joins the Darling river to form the mighty MURRAY/Darling river. Now sitting on a lake at Barmera SA. 40+ degrees. We are several hundred kilometres from the coast at a height of 25m.Leggi altro

    • Giorno 27

      Day 26

      31 marzo 2022, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

      Distance 978 / 2195
      Next town Robinvale
      4 days ahead of schedule

      Made it into Boundary Bend tonight after a long day's paddle with not much current and quite strong winds. Thankfully the caravan park had the butane gas I have been looking for, but no fresh water, so it's back to boiling river water.
      Passed the junction with the Murrumbidgee this afternoon. It seemed to be flowing quite well albeit with a lot of flotsam ( decomposed leaves and bark).
      The MDBA has an excellent website that shows all the main inflows and outflows along the river. Google "MDBA live data" then click on "system view" if you’reinterested. It shows what a highly regulated system it is.
      A few easy days coming up to get to Robinvale. Looking forward to that!
      M
      Leggi altro

    • Giorno 32

      Day 32 The End

      6 aprile 2023, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

      Distance travelled 1032kms

      Hi All,
      After 1000kms of the narrow, twisting, snag strewn Murrumbidgee, it was quite amazing to enter into the Murray with its open expanses and long sweeping bends. As Captain Sturt said "we entered into a wide and noble river".
      It has been a great experience. The challenges along the way have made it even more rewarding than the Murray trip I think. Anyone who is looking for some peaceful, remote camping couldn’t do much better than the 'Bidgee.
      A few more days paddling down to Robinvale to meet Claire, then a few days r'n'r at Loxton.
      Thanks to everyone who has looked at my posts, the human connection certainly helped on some days.
      I hope everyone has a great Easter break.
      Mark
      Leggi altro

    • Giorno 36

      Balranald-Yanga Homestead NP

      4 settembre 2016, Australia ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

      Took a trip to the Yanga NP Homestead. We passed the sign as we were coming to Balranald. Homestead was set on the banks of the Yanga Lakes. Yanga was one of the most productive properties in the Riverina district in it's time and was established in 1870. It is built mainly of Murray pine logs, had a shearing shed to accommodate 3000 sheep and they also used to catch fish and transport them to Melbourne for sale. It also has a bird hide for many a bird watcher to enjoy, such as the White breasted wood sparrow, which was of much debate by some nearby bird watchers as we sat and enjoyed the view from the lake viewing platform.Leggi altro

    • Giorno 22

      Day 22

      27 marzo 2023, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

      Distance travelled 710kms
      Next town Maude

      A lovely quiet day. Lots of wildlife, no humans. So serene. If you want to camp on the 'Bidgee this is the area to do it in!
      M

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