Thurs, 14th Jan, 2016 Murtho Forest Landing, near Renmark, SA (exploring Renmark)

Strong wind all night and still this morning and definitely cool. Put the bedspread on too – should have closed more windows!!  20 degrees at 8am with another sprinkle of rain as we had breakfast. Overcast and dreary but at least the fridge is happy.

Put on our jumpers and headed into Renmark for a look around. Through Paringa and over the historic Paringa Bridge over the Murray River. It was completed in 1927. In the early days a hand-winch ferry was in operation, then came a motorized ferry before the bridge was built. The centre lane was used as a rail track until 1986 and was removed owning to the Renmark Railway Station closing in 1982. Now the centre track is a bike and walk way. The lift span bridge still opens for river traffic.

Around to the Information Centre on the edge of the Murray River. Nice stain-glassed windows. Got some brochures and info off the ladies then checked out the history information boards.

Renmark was named after an aboriginal word meaning ‘red mud’. Establishment of the area began in 185, with the first pastoral lease taken out in the Renmark vicinity and in 1865 Richard Holland obtained the lease for Bookmark Station. It is Australia’s first irrigation settlement founded in 1887 through the joint agreement between the State Government and the Canadian engineers, George and WB Chaffey. Because the Victorian Government were taking so long to agree they came to Renmark and set up the irrigation here first. It was from the Bookmark lease that the Chaffey Brothers were granted 30,000 acres to begin the irrigation settlement. Charles, the younger brother, arrived in 1888 taking over the Renmark operations so the other two could set up the Mildura settlement.

Interesting to note that when the Paddlesteamer ‘Industry’ retired in 1969 it was replaced by the ‘Maratala’ (aboriginal name for industry) that we saw at Lock 7. The PS ‘Industry’ will be cruising on Sunday so we will get tickets for that.

Walked along the riverfront reading the info boards. Zoomed in on the caravan park downstream near the Paringa Bridge – the water’s edge is lined with ski boats.

The PS “Industry” moored outside the Info Centre.

The extremes from 1914 low water to 1956 floods.

Majestic Renmark Hotel – still owned by the community.

Need to get a room to get the photo like the one during the flood but this will do.

A plaque about the flood and its victims.

A cairn to celebrate the pioneers of the district with a single furrow plough.

Zoomed down the street to the huge water tower – looks like the aliens have landed – we watched an alien landing movie last night!!

Back to the Info Centre and on the other side was the barge ‘Argo’. Will check it out on Sunday too.

Drove out of town a bit to a free camping area called ‘Plush’s Bend’ on the Murray River. Plenty of room so will come here tomorrow. Someone’s homemade boat.

Back through town – nice entrance.

Parked near the CBA so I could check out our house insurance and Steve walked down to Supercheap. I wandered down the main street after him. Lovely and wide with lots of roses – they have a rose festival in October. This is an old wine press which was brought to Renmark from Lilydale in Victoria in 1924 by Mr Kidd. It is an early capstan type.

As it was cold and windy we treated ourselves to a nice hot pie, sausage roll and coffee. Bought our groceries and headed home. Crossed over the Paringa bridge again – lots of ski boats line the river beside the caravan park.

Stopped to check out the Black Stump, which is the root system of a 600 year old River Red Gum. We remember seeing him on one of the travel shows on TV.

Lovely gate. Australia was shaped in the gravel – I tried to make Tasmania from a pile of dirt.

In Paringa we saw Lookout Road and went to check it out as it isn’t on my tourist map. It was the old lookout but the trees have grown up and are blocking the view. We could see Headings Cliffs in the distance.

Across Renmark with the orchards on the hillside and the water tower and Maccas shows where it is.

Back passed the Lookout – all fenced off now – Steve had a feeling we wouldn’t be able to walk out on the cliffs soon!

6pm it was 26 degrees but the wind makes if feel a lot colder. The clouds are being blown away. A lovely bit of colour in the sky after sunset.