Fri, 27th November, 2015 Kyffins Reserve, Lake Mulwala to Quicks Beach, Barooga, Vic (exploring Barooga and Cobram)

Cold morning as the wind is bitterly cold. On with long pants and long sleeve shirt as we pack up to head further along the Murray River. The strong wind has settled down and the sun is out again but the heat is struggling to get through the cold breeze. Had a cuppa in the sun watching the pelicans.

Followed the irrigation canal through the pastures. Past the Seppelt’s vineyard then turned off to find Quicks Beach on the Murray River still on the NSW side. Nice area.

Chose our spot and set up.

Some people have a great back yard.

Changed into shorts as it is slowly warming up in the sun but the breeze is still cold. Went for a walk and chatted with a couple of locals who have just bought their vans. Followed the track upstream where it curves so we are up on a high bank. Didn’t take my camera. Some vans are on the other side in Victoria in camp area called Horseshoe Bend. Back to the van for some lunch and then we headed into Barooga.

Through the little town of Barooga then we turned off to check out another camping area – Wattle Tree Beach – nice area.

The backpackers are all huddled together down one end.

The next beach is Paradise Beach.

Great cruising boat.

Some people floating down the river. A few more camps along the river but on the high bank.

Kept following the road around and ended up near Barooga – if you go around that bend you would be a Quicks Beach where we are camped.

Lots of cut down Red Gums around here but lots of new ones growing up. Interesting facts – During the height of the paddle steamer ear (1870-1920) it has been estimated that over 15 billion trees were cut down and used for firewood and construction. Also willow trees can be found in the lower Murray and were planted by the paddle steamer captains along the main Murray River channel to aid as navigation during the floods.

Past the Barooga Swing Bridge.

Back onto the main road again then across the long causeway area and we turned off to Ski Beach. We were here October last year. The beach we saw then is underwater now.

Went back into the files and found the photo I took of the beach last year looking from the bridge down to the houseboats.

The info boards about the Cobram Punt.

Lots of houseboats on the Victorian side.

Cockie in the tree.

Walked down the path to check out the old bridge which was built in 1902.

The new bridge is so plain in contrast.

Climbed up the steps and walked across the old bridge from NSW to Victoria.

The Murray River flows by. 

Steve checking out how the middle section was raised.

Good info about the bridge. It is the only bridge wholly funded by Victoria though in the end NSW paid for the approaches on their side.

Walked across to Victoria – lucky we can walk on the road as Victoria hasn’t kept the footpath maintained!!

Walked further down the path.

Drove upstream to check out where another lot of backpackers were camping. A caravan was parked on the track and we chatted with the lady as she was trying to find Wattle Tree Beach. Gave her the directions – they have a dog so can’t come to Quicks Beach which is now under National Park – obviously the people camped beside us aren’t worried about that as they have a dog. We went to the end of the track to make a cuppa. A chap pulled up to warn us not to camp under the Red Gums as their branches can come crashing down. Someone was killed here recently when a branch fell on their camp. Looking towards where we turned off into the track that went to Wattle Tree and Paradise Beaches.

The tree the chap was warning us about. 

Looking downstream where around the bend is Ski Beach.

A paddlewheel boat came up the river – a modern type.

Drove across the Cobram Barooga Bridge into Cobram, Victoria.

Into the main street to check out a log cabin that the Lions Club dismantled from its original position near Yarrawonga and then rebuilt it here in 1977, after 657 man hours.

Inside they have it set up like it was back in 1874 when it was built. Wire mesh protects it now though so peeked through the grills to take photos.

The old wash tub – I feel like I am back in those days when I do wash day!!

“Pioneers of Australia” poem by Steele Rudd in 1899.

Emu Bob.

Turned off into Thompson’s Beach area. A great chainsaw carved Murray Cod created last year by Mark Rosenbrock. We didn’t see it when we drove down here last year.

Steve was looking for drop bears but found a koala instead!! So cute. Amazing how they balance up on those thin branches.

Went around to the other side.

Down to Thompson’s Beach – renowned as Australia’s largest inland beach.

Walked to the other end.

A lovely flower by the river’s edge.

A kookaburra sang us his song. Then Steve tried to sing the song!!

Walked back down the beach and Steve spotted another koala.

Drove back across the bridge into NSW then turned off in the other direction into the Murray River Regional Park and followed the tracks along the river to look back to Thompson’s Beach.

A couple of roos checking us out.

Further around overlooking Thompson’s Beach again.

Followed the track to Town’s Beach – another nice spot.

Further along the track after following a creek we came back onto the Murray again and another nice camp. A couple of vans on the other bank in Cobram Regional Park, Vic.

Kept following the track and found another camp with lots of guys – the music went up as we arrived – maybe they didn’t want visitors!! Across the bank was a water pumping station and a toilet block.

Back into Barooga with its old time lights. Cobram-Barooga district is situated in ‘the food bowl of Australia’. It is renowned for its magnificent climate. On the way back to the van we passed the MON Natural Foods since 1899 warehouse.

Back to our van for a drink by the river. The ducks and ducklings swam by – 10 babies.

Spotted something coming up the river making a bow wave – it was a carp in the shallows.

Changed into warm clothes again as it is gotten colder as the sun starts to set. Can’t believe we are watching Game of Thrones!!