Fri, 29th Jan, 2016 Tenbury-Hunter Reserve, Swan Reach to Hettner Landing, Walkers Flat, SA (exploring the Murray)

20 degrees at 8am but the sun is out and the wind has gone. By 10am the clouds are coming over again. A few people have arrived to canoe and fish.

Across the ferry and up the hill out of Swan Reach. Passed Swan Produce, huge orchards, then open plains high above the Murray River. Stopped at Big Bend Lookout for a cuppa – cold again so on with the jumpers. Fabulous view, downstream to upstream.

Zoomed in on the cliffs downstream working back upstream.

The pelicans were soaring high above in the thermals.

From the Lookout going upstream.

Travelling along the Murray but it is way below us and spreading out.

Another big bend just past Nildottie – downstream to upstream.

Further along was Len Kroehn’s Lookout.

Turned off to Forster Lookout – rowing boats.

Speed boat dry dock.

Down the hill to cross the ferry to our camp spot.

Flood level near the ferry.

Great views of the cliffs under the Lookout as we cross the river.

Passed more holiday homes and around the edge of Lake Bywater behind the Murray River. Someone is growing grass!!

Hettner Landing – not too many spots, so parked up and made some lunch.

Some more rowers came by. Complete with yelling coach.

Decided to drive down to Mannum to check out camp sites along the way. Down a dirt road – nasty looking clouds ahead.

Down the hill and through Caurnamont – more holiday homes along the river.

‘Cudla-Mudla’ is great.

A small area to free camp near the ferry beside the holiday homes. More interesting cliffs on Purnong’s side of the Murray.

Crossed over on the ferry - holiday homes one side and cliffs the other.

Spotted a bell so stopped to check it out. It was originally situated on the western bank (where we were) and was used to summon the ferry. It was removed and used at the school till its closure in 1984. It was erected here in 2004 to celebrated 100 years of service to the community by the Purnong Ferry.

Back to the main road towards Mannum. More great views even though it is an overcast day.

More holiday homes on a stretch of area surrounded by water.

Turned off to run along the edge of the Murray below the cliffs passed Young Husband, established 1899 (interesting name of a village). A lot of the streets are named after the towns in the Snowy Mountains – Khancoban, Geehi etc.

Another great view of Lake Carlet as we climb up onto the cliff tops again.

Over the hill and down to Mannum.

Shower of rain as we check out the camp areas – passing a houseboat building place and more holiday homes.

There are two Council camps here for $10/night/vehicle, across the river from Mannum, just down from the ferries. Very nice but in bays which will be strange for us.

Onto one of the two ferries having a busy time here. Stopped at the Info Centre to pick up some maps and info. Good map showing the river and lagoons from Swan Reach down.

Down the hill to Mary Ann Reserve for a cuppa – the Murray Princess is here.

A cairn for William Randell.

The flood levels in Mannum.

Nice and wide looking upstream.

Back north on this western side of the Murray. Great view from Rocky Point looking from downstream to upstream.

Then further west.

Down the hill to Walker Flat.

Stopped at the nice picnic area near the ferry, but you can’t swim, waterski, jetski etc here!!

Some old photos at the Kiosk.

Poor Ferry Dog.

Steve spotted some caravans upstream so we drove up and found Swamp Hen Reserve beside the boat ramp. Full of vans so we will stay where we are. The road is very wet so they must have got more of the storm.

More rowers came by – poor things, it’s cold out there!! They are from a Grammar School. A ski boat was zooming around with a tube too.

Heavy rain started as I worked on my article for the magazine. Found this tourist drive map from the Info Centre – that is what we just did but in reverse. 

No TV reception so we had a few games of Sequence – Steve had beaten me twice with Rummyking!! I won the Sequence tournament.

Brian rang to let us know he, Louis & Ian are coming down for Clipsal. It will be great to have them here too.

Light rain continued – windows closed and blanket on the bed!!