Wed, 13th Jan, 2016 Warpminga Island, Murray-Sunset NP, Vic to Murtho Forest Landing, near Renmark, SA (Lock 6 &Heading Cliffs)

Watched the kangaroos feeding and sun rise through the trees at 6.45am.

28 degrees at 7am with clear sky and very still. Got going quickly to try and beat the heat. Back out onto the Old Mail Road. Lots of emus, kangaroos and rabbits about. After all the red dirt and scrub it is strange to see such green trees – the almond farm the Ranger mentioned. Nice to be on bitumen road for a bit.

Passed the plant and then a little plane!!

Stopped to read the sign on the west side of the property. The plant was the cracking plant – we saw piles of what we thought were dirt – maybe they were the shells!!

Crossed over the border before we realised – no signs to let you know till a bit further we were greeted with this one. Got out for a photo of us in South Australia.

This is the border cattle grid between Victoria and South Australia.

Checked the map and decided to follow the dirt Border Fence Road north to Border Cliffs.

Open fields in South Australia and scrub in Victoria with lots of emus.

Went over a grid then the fence was on our left so presuming the old fence on the right is still the border one.

Mrs Emu and her chicks decided to race us – got a great video and Steve saw a rabbit join the race too.

Couldn’t continue straight up to where the border meets the Murray as there was a property so we turned west then north again onto Murtho Road which was bitumen. Over a rise and there was the Murray River glistening.

Pulled into the carpark of the Custom House which is under the Border Cliffs at Port Murtho. Walked over to the house to get some information but it was closed as the chap was busy getting some houseboats ready to depart as it is now home to a houseboat hire company.

Found some information on the wall and a good one explaining the flags.

Some more info on display boards. Will have to ask someone why they didn’t draw a straight line down for the border so NSW, Vic and SA would meet at one spot!! We need a houseboat to travel the river to the border points.

Drove around to check out the camping area but it was bollarded so we wouldn’t get enough shade.

Funny to look across the Murray River now and we aren’t looking across a border.

The cliffs behind the camp area – not sure if they are what they call ‘Border Cliffs’ or whether you have to be on the water upstream to see them.

Headed back down Murtho Road to the turn off to a boat ramp on the road to Murtho Lock 6, completed in 1930. Its weir pool is 19 metres above sea level and is 620km from the mouth. Unfortunately we can’t get to it as the road is through private property and they have put up a gate.

It would be that way upstream.

Fishing rules for South Australia – can’t keep Murray Cod so what’s the point of fishing?

Back out on the main road and then we turned off towards Murtho Forest Landing. Passed more citrus orchards on one side high as we travelled along the top of the cliffs with the Murray River below us.

Parked the van in the shade near the boat ramp as a houseboat cruised by.

Walked along the river edge looking for a shady spot. Interesting tree art.

Backed up under a tree and set up. My mobile changed time back half an hour so we are now only half hour behind Cairns.

12.30pm 42 degrees – the fridge is surviving with Steve spraying water on the vents and the shade cover. Steve set up the water catcher with a shower nozzle so we can cool off. Works well.

I worked on my blog then Steve said there were big black clouds coming and then the thunder started rumbling about 2pm. The wind picked up.

Sat out under the awning watching the rain come down but it was only a light shower. Then it stopped as quickly as it started.

Half hour later the wind picked up creating waves on the Murray then the rain came down.

More dark clouds came over but no more rain but plenty of thunder and lightning.

Cooled off to 31 degrees at 4pm then it was very still and got muggy.

Drinks time so I enjoyed a rinse off.

The river is nice and calm now. The sun is back out so drove back up the hill to Heading Lookout.

Spectacular view over the wetlands, Murray River and the golden limestone cliffs.

Zoomed in a distance marker near a creek which flows into the wetlands.

Zoomed in on the orchards in the distance.

The storm is heading south.

Cairns is that way.

We could hear a boat then saw it through the trees as the river twisted and turned through the trees.

The jetskier was having fun.

Steve said “Let’s walk along the cliff edge before someone fences it all off”.

Looking straight down.

Back to the van for a swim off the boat ramp, before dinner as it is clear of weeds. The budgies came down for a drink and the swallows swooped over us – it was lovely.

The clouds are covering the sun again so no sunset colours tonight. Rang Kaylene and Wendy for a chat to catch up.

The wind picked up about 9pm and got quite strong like another storm front was coming but the sky was clear and the moon and stars were out. It cooled down to 27 degrees and we had to close a few windows as it was getting chilly. No cold showers tonight and will be leaving the blanket on!!