Wed, 20th Jan, 2016 Thiele’s Sandbar, Loxton, SA (exploring Loxton)

Hot night but there was a light shower of rain early in the morning. 8am 30 degrees. Texted Wendy Blue for her birthday.

A plane is buzzing over us just above the trees – we think he is chasing the corellas off the grape vines. Interesting note – One of Loxton’s wineries alone crushes about 85,000 tonnes of grapes a year.

Into Loxton to explore. Down the hill to the river and a nice Apex park by the wharf which is having some renovations.

Another River Boat Trail board.

The site of Loxton’s Hut.

Next to it is ‘The Village’, another historic display of the early years along the Murray – similar to Swan Hill and as it is quite hot already we decided to give it a miss.

The hut is made out of mallee roots – and another big one.

The plane was still buzzing overhead.

Looking downstream at one end of Kapunda Island.

Drove downstream to Packard Bend where the Big Pelican now lives. Started as the float for the festival queen then was turned into a tourist attraction near the Loxton Riverfront Holiday Park. They have taken on board that not everyone wants to be in rows in a park and have allocated an area for people to camp along the river for only $9 per night.

Nearby is another park with the Tree of Knowledge – well it has the flood markings on it. Again a first – someone has put 2011 flood on it. Wasn’t as high as I thought it would be.

488 distant marker on the other bank. Looking upstream at Kapunda Island with Loxton on the hill behind.

Back up the road to the boat ramp as we heard gunshots which weren’t the usual gas guns going off. Chatted with a chap who has been hired to shoot the Little Corellas as they are stripping all the small branches off the native trees. They do that to stop their beaks curling over but it is killing off everything and they are also a nuisance for the orchards. He said it was because there is so much water and food for them now they are over populating and have become a pest. The plane was also used to drive them off as they normally rise together and he can chase them away but it didn’t work that way this morning. The gas gun went off in the orchard near ‘The Village’ and the birds left didn’t flinch. I suppose it is the same as Cairns’ troubles with the flying fox.

I zoomed in on a hawk in one of the stripped trees.

Headed back up the hill – lovely old style home.

Down the other end of town on the main road and we pulled over to check out the Community Conservation and Heritage Park which is inbetween the two lanes of traffic. Loxton is known as the Garden City of the Riverland – its gardens have been adapted to the changing climatic conditions and the town is now a recognised leader in the use of low-irrigation, sustainable landscapes.

This tree is smooth and shiny.

Followed the pathway to one end where we learnt about the influence the 2^nd generation German Lutheran pioneers had in this area.

 (Wish I could work out why it turns some of my photos!!)

A replica house ruins has been built here.

The sign also explained the pyramid stone cairns along the path – survey marks. Beside them were flood level details. The pool level of 9.8m above sea level stayed the same - 1931 15.25m rise of 5.45m; 1952 14.32m rise of 4.52m; 1955 14.30m rise of 4.5m; 1973 14.33m rise of 4.53m; 1974 14.89m rise of 5.09m; 1975 14.84m rise of 5.04m; 1993 14.12m rise of 4.32m.

Some more info boards along the way.

Nice walk with a couple of flowers to look at.

The next section is still being worked on.

Looks like they cut down the pine trees and got them carved.

Stopped at the Info Centre to check the weather for the next week – should start cooling off down to the low 30s.

Back down the hill onto the wetlands area and the Murray back to our van for lunch. Looking back at the cliffs that the town sits on.

Cooled off under the shower then got onto my blog. Decided it is a nice spot so will stay another night here.

The wind has picked up again in the afternoon though the sun is still out and it is 37 degrees in the van at 2pm.

The Little Corellas have moved in here. Our neighbours were hitting drums to move them on – they did – into the tree above us – pooped on Steve and the van. Relaxing afternoon reading and getting wet. Jon rang for a chat. A couple and their dogs came down for a swim – I had a chat with them while Steve continued chatting with Jon. She works in a winery and asked if we were looking for work – should have asked what we would have needed to do!!

Too windy to sit outside for dinner as the wind is whipping up the sand. Beautiful colours at sunset.

The wind settled down when we went to bed and it has cooled off a bit.