Thurs, 3rd Dec, 2015 Barmah Island, Barmah State Park, Vic to Benarca Campground, Murray Valley Regional Park, west of Moama, NSW (sightseeing)

Lovely sunny, clear sky, morning. 17 degrees at 8am. Louis rang – needs a copy of our driver’s licence for the pit access insurance etc. Cuppa by the river then we headed off.

Into Barmah and over the arched Barmah Bridge across the Murray and into NSW.

Past a dairy, pine tree plantation then bee hives plus lots of open pastures. Turned south onto the Cobb Highway towards Moama. So flat and open.

Into Moama which is 96m above sea level. Spotted a National Parks sign so turned west to explore. Travelling along the edge of the Murray.

Stoped at the Five Mile Precinct which has a flash boat ramp and facilities but no camping. People were camped on the high bank just before it though. They put in all these day facilities – I suppose they get used in the holidays.

The terraced bank is probably useful for all the spectators of the Southern 80 Ski Race held between Echuca and Torrumbarry each year in February. It was first run in 1965 and has evolved into a major international event attracting over 400 entries and 10,000 spectators. There is also a great mountain bike track here or should I say trail bike as there is no mountains!!

Carried on further west looking for the next campground sign. After passing the kilometre mark we realised we must have missed it. Passed two visitor sites with information boards on the Long Paddock Trail that goes from Moama to Wilcannia along the Cobb Highway highlighting historical things in different towns. The Cobb Highway was named after the famous coach company. There is also another one called the Back Roads Trail. Good for the little places as it invites tourists to go and explore those out of the way places. Found a sign for Benarca Forest Road but nothing about campground. Followed the dirt road passed a few properties then crossed into the Murray Valley Regional Park. Big sign – No Motorbikes $2200 fine.

Pulled in near another caravan to ask about campsites. Tassie couple from Devonport. We are on a point where the Murray does one of its tight turns back on itself. Up on a high bank here but we spotted a carp working his way along.

Nice area but we had read there was a beach. They said it was 3km further along the track so we headed off to explore.

Got to the beach but it was bollarded and very shady.

Interesting home across the river.

Tried the TV as we wanted to make sure we had reception to watch the V8s in Homebush this weekend. TV ok but Steve had seen a more open spot further back so turned around and went to check it out. We are on a very narrow neck of land with the Murray River on each side.

Nice spot on the bend with good TV and sunlight for the solar panels.

Had some lunch then headed into Moama to get some groceries. Passed Lakeview Estate before getting to Moama but it was well away from the river.

Steve drove over the old bridge over the Murray into Echuca for a look. No view my side as it is all steel and the concrete rail bridge is beside that.

Drove around a bit – found two caravan parks nowhere near the river – why stay there when you can have a river view for free!! Back across the river – I can see it this side.

Stopped at Horseshoe Lagoon for a wander. This was all originally part of Moira Station. The lagoon is strongly linked to the development of Moama township. Two of the town’s many hotels and a cordial factory were built next to the lagoon. A wharf was built in 1879 on the northern banks of the lagoon but was abandoned when it was discovered that riverboats could only access the wharf during high rivers. A new wharf was built in 1891 on the Murray River but by then, the riverboat trade was declining. This second wharf was rarely used but became a platform where generations of Moama children learnt to swim. A new wharf and boardwalk were erected in 1988.

Along the bottom of the handrail where some plaques with interesting information. Seems a funny place to put them – I wonder how many people read them.

Interesting one about the Mary Ann – that poor captain didn’t get his claim to fame for being first to get to Moama.

The other end of the lagoon.

Walked up the outer path with info boards about the environment. Onto the viewing platform over the lagoon.

Followed the track around the lagoon to the Murray and the new wharf. Two ladies were fishing there – she said she used corn kernels to catch the Murray Cod.

I walked up to the top for a look.

Mum and Dad Rosella were hovering around their nest in the hole in this tree.

 

Found a tap in the park with a ‘filtered water’ sign so topped up the truck’s water tanks. Across the road was a statue about the barges that moved the River Red Gum down the river. The logs didn’t float so they were tied to the outriggers off the barge and ferried that way.

Drove back out of town to find the sign about a dump point and found a park with some historical information. We saw the pine trees on the sand hills when we drove down to the beach area and wondered about them. Not sure if we would know what a Sandlewood Tree looks like!!

Around to Woolies to stock up again but we are not buying too many vegies as we are heading into a ‘fruit fly zone’ at Koondrook/Barham and it says fruit and vegies so won’t have much so I don’t have to toss any.

Back to the van for a drink by the river. Had dinner outside waiting for the sun to set. A skier makes the most of the daylight saving.

The sun sets about 8.30pm behind the clump of trees on the right. So peaceful except for those cockatoos. I would rather hundreds of magpies with their beautiful singing and the chirping of the little parrots and rosellas. The kookaburras break into their laughter every now and then and as the sun sets. Eventually they all quieten down and then a few crickets start.

Closed the windows a bit as it is still going to cool off tonight though the weather forecast is for hotter days and nights over the weekend.