Mon, 25th Jan, 2016 Maize Island Conservation Reserve, Waikerie, SA to Morgan Conservation Park, Morgan, SA (sightseeing Cadell)

21 degrees at 7am with a clear blue sky and a light breeze.

Packed up and headed off after a cuppa by the river. Passed this harvester beside the grapevines – I thought they were picked by hand!

Drove into Waikerie and dumped the dunny, dropped off our rubbish and topped up the water tanks. Through town to Ramco where there is another area for camping by the Murray on the other side of Ramco Lagoon. Lots of black swans on the lagoon.

Continued along the road and turned off towards Hogwash Bend, another camping and water skiing area. Very popular so we decided to move on.

Back to the bitumen. Passed a tree with lots of sandshoes tied by their shoe laces to the branches.

Into Cadell to check out the camping there. All the locals are here and there are heaps of shacks/houses along the river edge too. Will come back later to check out the cliffs as they are lit up at night.

Nice area at Graeme Claxton Reserve (packed with young ones!!) – named in recognition of Graeme, a Cadell fruitgrower, who has been mowing, watering and maintaining  the reserve since 1978.

Decided to continue on to Morgan and we will drive back this afternoon for a look at the cliffs, etc. Passed the Cadell Training Centre – (Dept of Correctional Services).

Drove into the south section of the Morgan Conservation Park – spotted one nice spot then continued along the dirt track. Crossed over the bitumen road that leads to the ferry and checked out the north end. Passed lots of homes right on the edge of the river. I wonder how they go with the floods.

The sites were a lot sandier and heaps of cars were going back and forward while we walked around checking out the sites. More great cliffs to look at though.

Decided to go back to the first spot we saw. I took some photos - downstream to upstream where the ferry crosses.

Steve walked down the track to look for more sites.

Lots of houseboats on the opposite bank.

Steve said he found a perfect spot, just have to back in under a big gum tree. Just enough room to back in with a tree on one side and the bank washed away on the other.

Even has a rope to swing into the water with!!

The track finishes here as there is a little channel allowing the river to flow into the wetlands. Steve got out his yappy pot to catch some little prawns for bait.

View from the other end of the van looking upstream to the house right on the water’s edge.

Lots of boats and jetskies on the water today – obviously no one went to work today!!

A mud nest on a low branch in the tree next to us.

Steve helping to clean up the Murray River from carp. Where are the pelicans when there is a free feed!!

Early dinner then we headed off to check out the cliffs at Cadell as we were told they are lit up by lights. Back to the main road near the ferry then along the edge of a lagoon – lovely and green.

Turned down Freemans Landing Road to see if there were any camp spots there. No room to camp and we are glad we didn’t bring down the van as it is a narrow road with a steep drop down to the river bank. Lots of weekender homes though with their own river shelters.

On my map it shows ‘New Era Monument’ so we stopped to find it. Buried behind trees off the road we found the monument to the first fruit growing area settled here in 1894. I presume the building was the school since it was mentioned. Lots of nasty prickles which I got stuck with as I only had my thongs on!!

Into Cadell – a monument to Captain Cadell who the town is named after.

Down the road to check out the Scenic River Walk – obviously not maintained anymore. Found the old steam pump chimney 1919 – built well, still looks in great nick. Sept 1956 river level – our truck would have been underwater.

Further down was new pump station.

The river is well below the township. Passed another couple camped by the river.

Drove to the boat ramp on the river – the sun just disappeared behind the cliff face.

Lovely cliff face here – we were told they are lit up at night.

Further down to the Graeme Claxton Reserve - the camp sites are in the middle with lovely green grass and picnic tables by the river.

Along the cliffs to where the ferry crosses the river.

Amazing how a tree will survive anywhere.

The spot lights came on though one wasn’t working. Looks nice on the trees.

Made a cuppa and waited it to get darker. The young ones had the music going – not too bad music so far. As the moon is full the cliffs weren’t getting the spot light effect. Three guys swam across the river and back – I made sure they all arrived back!!

Nut Bush City Limits came on and all the kids started to dance – boy we had the best music – so great to see them all having a great time. Even took a video. 

Around to the ferry to cross the Murray. A steep descent to the ferry.

Onto Goyder Highway around to the Morgan which is on the other side of the bank from where we are camped. Across the ferry to our side of the river. Steve asked the ferry man when he finishes work. He said he worked 8 hour shift so on till midnight. 8 day fortnight for $60,000 a year which he thought was great. Gets his exercise too as he said he walks 7km a shift going out to lock the gate and up and down the ferry to the control rooms on each end – he was a happy chap.

All quiet back at camp but the wind is strong so closed the windows on the river side as it is quite fresh!!