Tues, 12th Jan, 2016 Mulcra Island, Lock 8, Vic to Warpminga Island, Murray-Sunset NP, Vic (Rufus River Weir & Lock 7 and exploring Nat Park)

26 degrees with a light breeze at 7am, blue clear sky. Packed up then had a cuppa by the water before we left. It was so lovely watching the pelicans feeding and interesting to watch their different techniques.

Back out onto the Old Mail Road and due west. Passed Ned’s Corner Homestead – not sure who lives there now or whether it is under the National Park.

Stopped at the entrance to the original Murray-Sunset National Park, created in 1991 (they obviously have been acquiring more areas along the Murray lately).

The National Parks map.

Further along we ran along the edge of Lake Wallawalla which is control fed from the Lindsay River.

A kangaroo is keeping out of the sun.

Across a bridge with a gate on it and then a sign about the Environmental Watering for 2015.

The emus and ducks like it.

Across the Lindsay River which is flowing well onto Lindsay Island. Lindsay River is an anabranch off the Murray and rejoins the Murray a lot further downstream.

Passed camp spots beside the Mullaroo Creek which flows into the Lindsay. Mullaroo cuts across Lindsay Island making another island where the Lock is – Warpminga Island. There are other creeks crossing the National Park making more islands. Continued along the track, dodging dumped gravel (obviously NP doing some road works but you would think they could flatten it out!!) Running beside Mullaroo Creek till we crossed it, just downstream of the old Broken Back Bridge. It is flowing well too.

We could see part of it just down from the old crossing.

Not sure what the sandbags were for.

Continued along the track playing dodge with an emu.

Over little Mullaroo Creek, which was dry, onto Warpminga Island. Found the entrance to the weir but there was a No Admittance sign so we turned back. Will come back and walk in maybe. Just back along the track was a turn off to camp spots by the Murray River. Just love these picnic tables in the middle of the bush!!

Found a big tree to get some shade for the fridge – hopefully it won’t decide to drop a branch on us.

While we had our lunch under the tree as it was 37 degrees in the van, an emu came down for a drink on the NSW bank.

A cute lizard climbed up and then down the tree beside Steve then wandered across in front of our feet to another tree. Very friendly locals around here.

There is a track heading along the river edge heading towards the Weir so we got in the truck and followed it. A bit further upstream is a boat ramp.

Nice sandy beach further along but we would be toasted going for a swim.

Continued along the track.

Nearly at the weir and we spotted Rufus River flowing into the Murray River. Rufus is connected to Lake Victoria in NSW.

The track came to the back of the houses for the weir workers. Stopped and walked down the fence line so we could check out the weir and lock. Looking across the Rufus River where there are some people camped on the beach. Then around to the weir and lock.

Not as higher drop from the weir pool to the river here compared to the others.

While we were standing there we watched the pelicans on the other side. One stood tall then all the others started swimming towards him – he must have called a meeting!!

Further over the cormorants were all in a row.

Left the truck and walked along the back of the houses then we saw a chap. Chatted with him and he said we were welcome to come in. The sign is only for when they have the chain across – very confusing if you ask me!! Chatted with him for a while. There are two men stationed here, working 9-5 12 days on, 2 days off with an RDO once a month that they can take with their weekend. He said the pay isn’t as good as he has had but the lifestyle is great. He said we should have walked across the weir at Lock 8 but their signs don’t make it inviting!! We are fine to cross over the weir here as the info board is on the NSW side.

We walked across the lush lawns passed the office to Lock 7.

The big boat is SA Water’s and used for weir maintenance etc. They had refurbished this weir last year and the men were now working at Euston but the river is too low to get the boat up there, hence the boat is still here.

Wandered along the lock taking my usual photos.

On the sign it says the weir pool is at 22.1m above sea level but he said they have been holding it at 21.6m for the last few years. It is a metre drop down to the river from the weir pool.

Flood heights and flow meter – though it was on a different number on the other side!! I said they needed a marker for the 2011 floods, which he agreed. The flood just covered the weir and was up for 9 months.

Walked across the Lock gate.

The swallow have made their homes here.

A better shot of the inlet valves controlled by the hydraulic arm now instead of capstan.

This Fish Ladder was the first one put in and then they realised it should be on the opposite side to the lock. He said it still works well. They don’t have a carp trap here, it is down at Lock 1 where they get hundreds of carp. The carp swim high in the water and the cod go deep so they have made the trap accordingly.

Where the fish enter.

Across the weir – all the rails, platforms and railway lines etc have to pulled up when there is floodwaters coming. It takes about a day to get it all up. Last time they got it all done and the river got to 2 inches of flooding over then receded, then they had to put it all back.

When it is in flood they put up a big pole with a red triangle on the NSW side of the Navigable Pass and another on the edge of the weir with a green triangle indicating where the boats and pass. That gives them an extra 2 metre clearance if the water is just going over the weir.

Found the info boards – same as at Lock 9 but with a couple of photos of Lock 7. Locks 7, 8 and 9 and Lake Victoria are all managed by SA Water, plus of course the ones that are in SA.

Looking back at the weir and lock from the NSW side.

Zoomed in on the Navigable Pass.

Looking down the river side of the lock and from the middle of the walkway.

Thanked the chap then the other guy arrived so we had a chat for a bit. Back in the truck and we drove out the ‘no entry’ road passed an old bridge.

Continued on with our exploring with ‘Kate’ marking our travels on the track log. Back to Mullaroo Creek bridge and then we turned north and ran beside the river on the eastern side. The Park Rangers were at the turnoff with the bulldozer working on the entrance through a dry creek. He said it was all very dry as it would usually have water in it.

The kangaroos have found a cute home in the trunk of a tree beside a bit of water in the creek.

Nearly at the mouth of the Mullaroo and we found a gated bridge with water control and fish way – looks like it has just been completed.

Down to the mouth of Mullaroo Creek where the Murray River flows into it and down through the gate.

There is a boat ramp here on the Murray edge but obviously not used much as there is a big tree across it in the water. Not a nice spot for a swim either. Made a cuppa and used the picnic table provided. Steve found 3 hooks. Someone was keeping a tally of their catches.

Back to the main bridge over the Mullaroo and then we turned onto Stones Track – according to the map – but the sign said Sandford Track (which shows up on my map further along). Crossed Stoney Crossing over the Little Mullaroo Creek – a little bit of water here.

Met the Ranger along the track with a truck who just dumped his load on the track. He used the front of the truck to flatten it a bit!! I laughed with the Ranger and said we wondered who was responsible for the smooth track!! He said it was to cover the wet spots so people don’t go off the track around them. His biggest problem was pig hunters. We haven’t seen any pigs but had seen diggings around the base of trees – now we know what did it. He said that they found there was too much salt coming into the Murray via the Lindsay River to the Almond Farm on the border so they raised the mouth of the Lindsay so it only filled in flood times. Another creek from Windmill Point flowed into the Lindsay keeping it flowing. Now they have installed the Living Murray gates so they lowered the mouth again with a gate on it but at the moment the first section of the Lindsay is still dry and is only keep flowing by the other creek. He said it was going to be 44 degrees tomorrow so we might pull out early and get to our next camp in South Australia before it gets too hot!!

Continued on to check out Kulkurna Cliffs. Dead trees and open plains with bee hives, emus and kangaroos.

Turned onto the Old Phone Line track and we even found the old poles (trees).

Got to the end of the track where the cliffs were and got out near a big tree. A goanna got a fright and raced up the tree.

Lovely spot and would be great for a swim but there were two big houseboats parked there. Chatted with the lady – they had just finished a beer tasting session – she said it was great fun travelling on the river. They had 10 on one boat and 12 on the other.

The cliffs on NSW side were spectacular. Named after the station nearby.

No need for the phone line now – a new tower sits high on the cliff.

Of course there was a nice picnic table but it was too hot to stop there.

Found another track. The Mistletoe Bird has been busy on this tree.

Just a bit upstream but no good for swimming.

Looking through the trees you can see the wall of sandstone behind the property which is probably Kulkurna – the cliffs must run for miles.

Spotted some emus in the bush then they decided it was easier to run along the road. Followed them for a bit then they turned off. I got a good video of them (clearer than this photo).

Back along Sandford Track then we turned off towards the Lindsay River for a look. Berribee Homestead is across the river. They must have used this barge to get across before the bridge was built. The wire rope was tied around the tree.

A very old car left to die in the bush. Steve couldn’t work out what it was.

Back to our track and the van. All good there (no branches on the roof) so we went the other direction downstream following the track. Crawled down and up a dry creek then came out onto a nice beach area with shade.

Through the trees on the NSW side I could see another wall of sandstone and we are a long way from the Cliffs now.

5.30pm - So nice to cool off in the water which is refreshingly cool. Another emu came down for a drink on the other bank then a few kangaroos. It is so relaxing and remote – well that is til a fishing boat came zooming past!!

Very nice to get wet and cool off and we don’t take long to dry as the wind is so hot. Back along the track we stopped to check out what we thought was a bridge but looks more like a jetty – seemed a strange place for it but maybe when the water was low the farmer needed it to get water.

This chopped down tree didn’t give up and sprouted another trunk.

Back to the van and it was 42.4 degrees in the van even though we had all the windows and vents opened. Steve sprayed water on the vents of the fridge to help it cool down.

Rang Mum for a chat – all good at home. Tried Kaylene & Wendy but they must be out walking.

Sat outside for dinner as the sun set.

Very still tonight. Sat outside and watched TV through the window again. Put on a What’s Up Downunder DVD about the Murray River in South Australia that had but it didn’t tell us much – more advertising then information!!

Dark clouds in the distance and some flashes of lightning.

Got texts back from the girls and they had been walking and talking – will try them again tomorrow. 10pm 38.4 degrees. I had just dozed off when a huge tree cracking noise woke us – luckily it wasn’t above us.