Sun, 24th Jan, 2016 Maize Island Conservation Reserve, Waikerie, SA (Weir & Lock 2 and exploring the area)

6.30am 19 degrees as the sun rises.

After breakfast we headed off. Missed the turn off to the ferry so drove down along the river edge. Lots of people out already with the ski boats. Nice area to ski from, grass with covered BBQ areas and toilets nearby. Further down we checked out the houseboat mooring area. Mark and Linda must have moved on – they were going to find a quieter spot away from the ski boats.

Continued along the track with the cliffs rising as the river flows around the bend. A few nice camp areas along here too.

Travelled around Hart Lagoon and across the creek that the Murray River flows in.

Around the other side, stopped for a look over the lagoon.

Back through town and across the river on the ferry.

Headed north towards Taylorville. First around the edge of Ross Lagoon.

Turned off at Broken Cliffs and checked out the Lookout over Little Toolunka Flats area.

Down the hillside to a clearing beside a water pump (happily pumping away!!) The Broken Cliffs, I presume.

As we turned around Steve noticed a plaque on the other side. It was of an overlander who was killed by the aborigines in 1839.

Might be the two black box trees! Can’t see the F on the blaze.

Drove back up then further out onto the cliff top overlooking Little Toolunka Flats.

Zoomed in on the causeway then down along the Murray River.

Turned off at Taylorville, which is a station, onto Goyder Highway and along to the turn off to Lock 2. Parked near the info shelter which I checked out while Steve made the coffee.

The usual animal, bird and Murray River info. No old photos of this lock though, only Lock 1!!

The lock and weir then downstream.

Looks like a sandbar downstream.

Walked over to the lock – the one history photo. Waikerie Weir & Lock 2 was completed in 1928. It is 362km from the mouth and the weir pool is 6.1m above sea level.

1931 flood level covered the lock and weir.

The Lock.

Watched Mr Pelican get his dinner near the lock gate. He said in the same spot for half an hour always coming up with something.

Wow, the 1956 flood was really high, right to the top of the 2^nd board (5.35m). 1931 was 3.09m.

The pelicans are resting.

Upstream view and over the lock and weir.

The office and houses are up the hill.

Walked back to Steve for my cuppa. The cormorants have great balance.

The edges of the bank are lined with the rock quarried from below the Lookout near Holder Bend.

As we were heading out Steve noticed the 1956 flood marker on the fence near the office. Behind it was a gas cannon used to frighten off the birds.

Back to Waikerie. Looking across to the lovely park area full of skiers etc then downstream to the majestic Murray River Queen paddle-steamer and the houseboats.

While we waited for the ferry I noticed a sign on a tree which explained why they were watering the trees nearby.

Jaeschke Lagoon.

The wheels that get us across the Murray.

Stopped at the Gallery but it was closed. Waikerie is believed to be the aboriginal word for Rain Moth that come out after the autumn rains.

Loved the painted power box.

Nature’s Corridor – original hand-painted and fused, kiln-fired glass window by Clint & Liz Frankel in 2009.

Read the plaque about the beginnings of Waikerie, established 1894 as another of the village settlements.

Up the hill was another pump.

Further around was the Government Lime Kiln site.

Walked to the edge of the cliff for a look across the river to Jaeschke Lagoon and upstream.

Drove along to the Rotary Clifftop Lookout for another view. Info about the area – the lagoon is now covered with water due to the Lock (at Boggy Flat) but prior to that it was dry and in 1920 two airmen landed their plane on it.

Pretty flowers and gumnuts.

Quiet afternoon making pasta salad, checking on the finances and doing my blog. Steve put out two fishing lines and got the bush-cooker ready for dinner. Enjoying his novel – will have to find him some more. River still busy with skiers.

Rang Mum and Dad for a chat – seemed ages ago that I spoke to them. All good at home – Mum enjoying the tennis and Val is still doing strong. The grandchildren are growing beautifully.

Cool night so closed up the van a bit – bit chilly at 24 degrees!! Lovely full moon.