Wed, 9th Dec, 2015 ‘China Town’ bush camp, Gunbower Island, Vic to Murray River bush camp near Murrabit, Vic

Cooled off during the night so it was a chilly 21 degrees at 7am, especially with all the windows open and a strong breeze. I worked on my blog for a bit while Steve serviced the fridge as it hasn’t been coping with the heat and he thought the jet was blocked with dust.

Continued along the dirt River Road following along the edge of the Murray River. Just before Koondrook we spotted some info boards. One about the walks in the park.

The other about the stockyards and a local family.

Over Gunbower Creek therefore leaving Gunbower Island.

Drove into Koondrook and found a nice shady spot near where Gunbower Creek enters the Murray River again.

Walking boots on to follow the Red Gum River Walk. The old goods shed.

This is where the old turntable was.

Wharf area.

Red Gum has been carved to showcase in a group of statues along the river walk. The sun made it hard to get a clear photo. Nurse Rosen.

Some aboriginal artwork.

Mr Percival.

Further along was the site of another rail shed.

Oh dear, Stephen, you need to go on a diet – 15 tons!!

Across the road is Arbuthnot Furniture shop but it was closed.

Alexander Arbuthnot, with a bird poop tie!! We travelled on his paddle steamer in 2009.

Not sure what this crazy collection of crooked buildings is about.

The path took us through Arbuthnot Sawmills which was established in 1889. It is still supplying quality timber from the red gum forests. Lots of saw dust and wood chip.

Another load ready to head off to be sold.

More info as we walk past the mill.

John Powell with his chainsaw.

At the end of the mill is where the log slipway was situated.

Next was the school with its red gum fence. Could just make out the old one in the background.

The school road was the old stock route.

Murray Cod, Kookaburra and a Kangaroo.

Sir John Gorton.

Cohuna is the birthplace of professional golfer, Stuart Appleby.

Walked down to the water’s edge for a photo of the bridge across to Barham, NSW. Same style as the others.

Someone ‘tied a yellow ribbon around the old gum tree’.

Herbert Keck, first citrus grower. We ate all our vegies and fruit as this was the beginning of the fruit fly area. Across the road is the Border Packers. Will stop there later and get some fruit.

Walked across the old bridge. These bridges have all been one lane. We walked along the footpath till the lift up bit then we have to duck out onto the road till the footpath starts again.

They have been working on the other bridge on the Barham side and the school children have decorated all the fencing and barriers.

Sir John Monash, the builder of the bridge and the Historical Engineering plaque.

Looks like the foreshore is getting a facelift.

Walked out onto the viewing platform.

The ibises have moved in. They inhabit the entire Murray Valley (according to my booklet) but near Kerang there are a number of Ibis colonies. Not my favourite bird.

Great clock monument erected in 2001.

A plaque in the park. Someone had put a bauble on it that had fallen out of the tree. They are hanging over the car parks and would make a dint if they fell on the car!!

Tried to photograph the information about Barham but under glass makes it a bit reflective.

Back across the bridge to the fruit packing sheds. Got some very cheap oranges and lemons. They lady explained that they have fruit fly now but are controlling it. We are fine to take fruit up to Mildura but not into Kerang or South Australia.

On the way back along the river walk we passed the men unloading more River Red Gums for the saw mill.

Back to the van for a late cuppa in the shade. Off again to finish the rest of the river walk. Last two statues on the river walk.

Around to the main street – beautiful Flame tree.

In the park in the middle of the very wide main street was an eagle.

The street is wide because the tramway line ran up the middle of it.

Last statue – the mechanic who did everything.

Next part of the trip along the Murray into Guttrum State Forest. If we were in NSW we would be on another island which is created by the Murray breaking away into the Little Murray River near the 1515km mark and rejoins the Murray near Murrabit. Will find a camp spot along the Murray again for tonight.

Near the old railway shed is a log buggy with a big log onboard. Looks like it is out of the Flintstones.

Back to the truck and we headed into NSW to get some groceries.

Lovely tree-lined street but we nearly have to travel in the middle so we don’t wipe out the branches!!

Went down the road to check out the Barham Lakes but the entrance was closed. Back to the foreshore of the Murray for lunch before heading into the IGA for some vegies and milk. It is 31 degrees in the van.

Back into Victoria, using the map I took a photo of, we headed into Guttrum State Forest. The first road took us to Guttrum Sandpit and the roads around the area were very rutted. Salt left in the evaporating ponds.

Headed further down the bitumen then turned off into Hall Lane as it was a straight road to the Murray. We are now in Benwell State Forest. Found a floodgate near the river at the end of the lane.

A bit further on we stopped at the Murray and checked out the channel. The water has to be 2 metres higher to get into the channel.

Didn’t stay long as the flies were the worst yet. Continued along the River Track where we found an old pump and sign.

A dusty track on the edge of grazing land.

Just past the 1500 km mark I had to open a gate to continue. There were no signs so we continued on past a home and sheds. Looks like an old time shed at the front.

The irrigation channels cut through the land in all directions.

Passed another house with lots of wheels and on the wall were lots of hubcaps. He also had an old tractor as a garden ornament. We have seen a few old cars and trucks mounted on an island in the front yard. One old ute was full of dirt in the back and growing flowers!!

Not many spots to park the van – the areas close to the houses are well kept by the homeowners. One guy was setting up for a big party.

Next info board we found was about the property Dunbar right on the bank of the Murray. The old woolshed still stands.

Just up the road Steve saw the blue distance sign on the NSW bank. 1494 km from the mouth.

Found a nice shady spot (near the 1492 mark on the map) and pulled in just in time for a cuppa.

At 4pm it was 32.2 degrees. I worked on my blog while Steve chased the flies down by the river.

The river is narrower here and the water is moving rapidly passed the tree making a babbling brook sound. Saw one kangaroo in NSW but nothing else.

My herb garden is growing well – shame I might have to toss it when we get to Sth Aust.

The flies were too bad to eat dinner outside but we can see the stars glittering as we haven’t out the awning out.

A ‘boo-bock’ owl (or whatever it is called) was calling – such a lovely sound.

Cooler night so left the bedspread on the bed.