Orroroo

 7 - 9 April 2022

We chose Orroroo as our next stop simply beacuse we had never been there before and because we needed a couple of days in a caravan park after 4 nights at Gluepot. We left Gluepot after lunch and stopped briefly in Peterborough before arriving in Orroroo late in the afternoon. The caravan park is on the main road, and walking distance to the shops just a couple of blocks away. The staff were friendly and readily offered tourist information and booklets.

In the morning we took advantage of the laundry and did three loads of washing before heading into town to do some shopping. We visited the new collective which sold a range of goods from a number of traders including jewellery, yummy baked goods and other food  and craft products. We also visited the  local butcher to stock up for the next leg of our journey - more friendly locals doing great things to create a good impression of the town.

On Saturday morning we packed up camp and headed down to the Lions Picnic area to tackle the Pekina Creek walking trail. This 2.9km loop walk is rated 2 and includes a number of points of interest along the way. A brochure is available but there is also good signage along the way. It was a very pleasant walk but we were glad we had chosen to do it in the morning as the day was warming up. We called back into town and found the cheapest fuel in the area before setting off on one of the tourist driving loops.

The drive we chose takes in the Magnetic Hill - a bit of fun to see your vehicle seem to roll uphill. Again a brochure is available but the route and the magic spot are well signposted. It was a lovely drive that returned us to Orroroo in time for lunch, so we went back to the Lions Picnic area and sat by the water in the shade for our picnic. 

Our final stop before leaving Orroroo was the Giant Gum Tree - with a trunk measuring 10.4m in circumference and more than 6metres in height before the first branches, it is one of the largest River Red Gums in South Australia. It's age is estimated to be in excess of 500 years! It is quite a site and well worth the short drive out of town. There is a sheltered picnic area but no toilets.

We set the GPS for our next destination - Cradock where we would spend the night in the free camp behind the pub.

Gluepot

 3 - 7 March 2022

We visited Gluepot on the first leg of this trip, as well as on a previous one and we were both keen to return – Mick for the birds and me for the rest and relaxation. We left Berri and travelled towards Waikerie where we crossed the Murray River – again. The road into Gluepot was in much better condition than last time we came through when parts of it were covered in very large, boggy puddles and one section was completely washed out. The trip this time was much easier and quicker.

We called into the visitor centre and paid for two nights, but were still undecided if we would spend more time here. This time we chose Bellbird Campground as we have stayed at Sitella and Babbler camprounds before. As with the others, Bellbird is well laid out with plenty of room to spread out. We were the only ones there when we arrived. We had lunch then set up camp in a spot that would give us some shade as well as easy access to the toilets.

Mick drove down to the nearby Grasswren Tank bird hide for a short session with the camera, and returned late in the day. Daylight savings had ended on Sunday morning so an early morning session required a 6:00 am start. The sun was just starting to show over the horizon as the alarm sounded. Mick spent about three hours at the hide and was back in time for smoko.

The nights were cold, the mornings crisp and the days warm - perfect weather really, so we decided to extend our stay to 4 nights. Mick visited Grasswren Tank and bird hide each morning and on Tuesday afternoon we went for a drive together so he could spend a little time at a couple of other spots.

He had met some campers who were staying at Sitella Campground and had told him about an owlet nightjar there so we made that one of our stops. We were surprised to see the number of campsites occupied as we were still the only ones at Bellbird. We also stopped at Emu Tank on the way back towards the visitor centre. We had planned to pay for the extra nights but decided to hold off. The weather had started to change and we were no longer sure about staying.

After a couple of days of blue skies and practically no breeze, the dark clouds and strong winds had us a bit worried. There is no internet access anywhere on Gluepot so we had no idea what the forecast was for the next few days. The wind died down overnight and there was some light rain, but the sky was very cloudy in the morning. Dark clouds continued to build and it started to rain more heavily at around 8:30 - while Mick was down at the hide. The temperature had also dropped significantly. All we could do was hope that it would pass and the skies would clear later in the day.

The rain did pass and the temperature stayed quite mild. For the first night since we arrived there were other campers at the cmapground - but they only stayed the one night. On our final morning Mick returned to the hide for a morning session before coming back for morning tea and to pack up camp.  On the way out of the reserve we stopped for a quick lunch at Emu Tank, and then hit the road for Orroroo. Once again we would be visiting a place we had never been before.

Berri

 1 – 3 March 2002

We spent some time in the South Australian Riverland when we came through in November last year and thought we might go back to Waikerie, before returning to Gluepot, but changed our minds and settled on Berri instead. We left Lake Cullulleraine and headed west towards the border between Victoria and South Australia.

Quarantine warnings were posted regularly as we approached the border and we stopped at the designated bin and disposed of our last piece of fruit before continuing on to the quarantine checkpoint. The check was the most thorough we had experienced in 6 years of crossing state borders. The officer not only checked the fridge, pantry drawers, but also the couple of grocery bags visible on the back seat, including the one which contained the dirty clothes. I don't think he was expecting that!

We stopped for a coffee in Paringa and at a hardware store in Renmark before arriving at the caravan park we had booked in Berri. We had gained a ½ hour when we entered the main SA timezone so were set up before lunch time. We’d booked an ensuite site for two nights and were allocated one which was actually a drive through, right at the rear of the park, with a view to the neighbouring tennis court. 

We went for a walk along the river, and stopped in at the Visitor Information Centre which sold a good selection of locally produced goods. We located the supermarket and returned later in the day to stock up for the next leg of our trip which would see us visiting some more remote locations.

On Saturday morning we walked along the river again, into town to browse the shops and buy some of the produce from the visitor centre – smoked almonds, dried fruit and almond muesli. Berri is a good sized town with all the expected shops and amenities as well as a beautiful spot on the river.

On Sunday morning we set off again, this time headed for Gluepot Reserve.

Lake Cullulleraine

 30 March 2022 - 1 April 2022

We set off from Hattah-Kulkyne National Park after lunch and stopped briefly in Mildura to pick up some supplies. From there we headed west to Lake Cullulleraine. There are two lakeside caravan parks and the one we chose had lots of green grass and large sites. We were allocated one right on the lake with trees providing some shade. It was such a relaxing and peaceful spot we decided to make it two nights.

The wind picked up overnight and our tranquil setting was transformed as clouds of dust (topsoil from the nearby agricultural area) surrounded us and settled on everything, including inside the tent. We had seen signs coming along the highway, warning about dust storms, but hadn't registered that this could happen with the stronger winds forecast. Consequently we did spend a lot of time inside and only ventured out when the wind died down a bit, and to eat. Mick was happy editing photos anyway so it didn't really matter. Had the weather been better we might have gone for one of the lakeside walks.

Despite the dust and wind, Lake Cullulleraine is a nice spot, and one that looks like it is popular on weekends and holidays. We were headed for Berri in South Australia next, so packed up on Friday morning and set off.

Hattah-Kulkyne National Park - Lake Mournpall Campground

 27 - 30 March 2022

Leaving Barham, we set the GPS for Hattah-Kulkyne National Park and travelled into Victoria, and through Swan Hill. We stopped for a picnic lunch at Manangatang, then on to the park. We have stayed at Hattah-Kulkyne NP twice before, both times at Lake Hattah but this would be our first time at Lake Mournpall. We had booked three nights and called into the visitor centre to pick up a map, before heading to the campground. 

We went for a good walk around the campground before deciding on the perfect lakeside spot. We found one with lots of afternoon shade, but enough clear space to keep the solar happy. Most campsites have picnic tables, firepits and lake views. There are also a couple of toilet blocks, not far from most sites.  

Mick had been given a tip about a good spot for a bird he was after so we set off late in the afternoon to try to find it. It wasn't hard to find, so Mick would come back in the morning on his own. That meant a very early morning wake-up - well before the sunrise.

Mick set off just as the sun was starting to rise, and spent the best part of the morning chasing birds along the Nowingi and Konardin Tracks. After lunch and a rest, he returned later in the afternoon and again the following morning. He was rewarded with some shots of a new bird.

In the afternoon we went for the short drive to Lake Konardin then returned to camp. We had thought about adding an extra night, but the weather was changing from warm and sunny with little wind, to windy and cold nights so we decided against it. On our final morning Mick again went out to his now favourite spots before returning mid-morning. We ended up staying on to have lunch before setting off towards Mildura. 

We stopped for some supplies then continued west to Lake Cullulleraine where we would spend the night.

Barham

 25 - 27 March 2022

After a very successful trip to Deniliquin we had no firm plan about where we would stop next. Instead I had identified a number of potential spots along the Murray River which we would have a look at and make up our minds once we found one that would suit us. We set the GPS for Swan Hill and made Barham our first stop.

Barham, is a smallish town, with a supermarket, pubs, cafes and a club all within walking distance of the caravan park right on the river. We decided this would suit us nicely for a couple of nights, with a powered site so Mick could edit the thousand or so photos he had taken while on the bird tour in Deniliquin. We went for a wander around the park and noticed some much sought-after riverfront spots, and a large unpowered section, also near the river. Later in the day we walked along the riverside path, before having dinner at the club. 

We took the opportunity to do some shopping and washing while at Barham, and went for another walk along the river - this time across the bridge and into Victoria. We have crossed the Murray River a number of times on this trip, by road and ferry, but this was the first time we had done it on foot.

While we were camped at Barham, we spent some time planning the next part of our journey and booked three nights at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park. Leaving Barham on Sunday morning with a destination organised allowed a relaxed morning. 

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Deniliquin

 22 - 25 March 2022

Mick is a very keen bird photographer and is always looking for opportunites to capture new birds, or get a better shot of one he already has. He has wanted to go out with the guide in Deniliquin to photograph the plains wanderer, but the timing was never right. He was so pleased when a chance phone call while we were stoppped for coffee in Sheppartton lead him getting a spot with Philip Maher (Australian Ornithological Services) for the following night.

Once we had locked the tour in, we reset the destination in the GPS and headed for Deniliquin. We stopped for lunch by the Murray River at Barmah and then crossed the border into New South Wales. We arrived at the Riverside Caravan Park to find there were no powered spots so we accepted an unpowered spot by thr river. What a great location it turned out to be. Hardly anyone else camped in this part of the park, river views, shady trees, plenty of sun to keep the solar happy and very peaceful. Another really hot day - 35° - had us contemplating a swim in the pool, but we went for ice creams instead.

In the morning we walked into town for a look around and to pick up a few things, then returned to our spot by the river. Mick had to be ready to go at 3:30pm so he pottered around getting his gear ready - just a litle bit excited I think. The couple he was joining had booked a full day tour - but to be taken as an evening and then the following morning. I was surprised when Phillip announced they would return around midnight, and even more surprised when Mick arrived home at 1:30am! The morning's jaunt would leave at 8:00am so I set the alarm and went back to sleep.

Over an early breakfast, Mick related some of the details of the evening's excursion, including getting to photograph the Plains wanderer. We provided a morning cup of tea to the other birders who happened to be camped across the road from us and they set off for another session with Phillip. This time they were back after only a couple of hours - but in total they had spent about 11 hours on tour. Naturally Mick was very excited to look at the photos he had taken, but had to take a break for a well-earned afternoon nap.

Our detour to Deniliquin had been well worth it but it was time to decide where to move on to. We wanted to go to Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, but discovered that some of the tracks would be closed over the weekend to allow for feral animal management. We resolved to head in that direction, but to find somewhere along the way to spend the weekend. We set the GPS for Swan Hill and set off.