On the water at 1030am.
I could get use to this
Featured post
Boat modifications and packing
Well Captain Woodduck has been very busy. Not sure what first mate, Woody Junior, has been doing...he can update later. Woodduck....Betwe...
Monday, 18 April 2016
Sunday, 17 April 2016
Day 3
Day 3 already.
Its an 8am rise, cause Woodduck advises that the water is beautiful.
Yep.. he is in having a bathe in the River Murray.
Followed soon enuff by Dagz
The other two remain smelly and can't be enticed. It truly is a beautiful temperature assisted by the fact there is no wind.
Its an 8am rise, cause Woodduck advises that the water is beautiful.
Yep.. he is in having a bathe in the River Murray.
Followed soon enuff by Dagz
The other two remain smelly and can't be enticed. It truly is a beautiful temperature assisted by the fact there is no wind.
After another bacon and egg muffin brekky its time to dismantle camp and pack.
Later than we would like but getting into the pace of the river we hit the water downstream at 10.30am.
Made Renmark for a tour of Jane-Eliza Estate.
Onto Renmark for re-supply at Foodland and the bottl-o for ice and fluid.
Moving onto speak with Graham at Riverfun houseboats we had pre-arranged a re-fuel with him as he was kind enough to oblige. A fuel tanker and hose to the rivers edge made it easy on us.
After a tour of Drift, which is the latest and greatest houseboat on the Murray at the moment.... www.drifttheexperience.com
we moved onto lock 5 and headed downstream toward Berri motoring through and onto camp.
Day 2
Funny how the sun gets up so early when you are determined to sleep in.
We managed to stay in bed till about 7.
Bacon and egg specialties of Woodduck for breakfast.
Cuppas, dishes, ablutions and camp packed and on the water by 9.30am
We had a big day planned.
Down stream this time it was cool but absolutely beautiful on the water.
We managed to stay in bed till about 7.
Bacon and egg specialties of Woodduck for breakfast.
Cuppas, dishes, ablutions and camp packed and on the water by 9.30am
We had a big day planned.
Down stream this time it was cool but absolutely beautiful on the water.
Dropped some rubbish bags off at the boat ramp at Customs House and made it to Lock 6 at 11.00am.
The very friendly operator opened the lock and assisted us through while letting us know last nights footy results.
The very friendly operator opened the lock and assisted us through while letting us know last nights footy results.
Easy passage and on down stream for lunch at Wilkadene the Woolshed Brewery.
Awesome.
A few tastings later and lunch which is BYO and the view and serenity is why you bother going.
Spectacular place.
Awesome.
A few tastings later and lunch which is BYO and the view and serenity is why you bother going.
Spectacular place.
We took off from Wilkadene and I spluttered on fuel. Shook the tank around and changed its position to get another 6 kays out of the tank. Came to rest 63km from the border.
( we tied together yesterday as we were going up stream for our first drink and my engine was doing all the work for an hour or so) ( hence running out before woodduck )
A bit of refuel from our supply onboard and on again.
Its getting late now and instead of trying to look at some sights in Renmark and buy ice and buy fuel and get thru the lock we decided to slow down to the pace of river life and do all that tomorrow.
( we tied together yesterday as we were going up stream for our first drink and my engine was doing all the work for an hour or so) ( hence running out before woodduck )
A bit of refuel from our supply onboard and on again.
Its getting late now and instead of trying to look at some sights in Renmark and buy ice and buy fuel and get thru the lock we decided to slow down to the pace of river life and do all that tomorrow.
Camp location found by 4pm and beers in hand I sat down to update the log, now I have phone service.
We found the Sa VIC border sign on the way back down stream. Funny how we missed it yesterday but maybe we were enjoying ourselves too much.
The Woolshed Brewery stopped us for a while.
Day of Launch
Well it started early enuff and we left at 8am
Mobile along the freeway thru Murray Bridge past Swan Reach stopped for lunch at Loxton
Loxton onto Berri and Renmark, stopping to refuel cars for the journey home to a kind drivers who have taken time out of their day to ferry us to our adventure.
Mobile along the freeway thru Murray Bridge past Swan Reach stopped for lunch at Loxton
Loxton onto Berri and Renmark, stopping to refuel cars for the journey home to a kind drivers who have taken time out of their day to ferry us to our adventure.
From Renmark across the bridge at Paringa and left at the hotel out along Murtho Road to the end at Customs House boat ramp.
Now its 1.30pm and the launch went smoothly exact for a fat lip to Drew.
Now its 1.30pm and the launch went smoothly exact for a fat lip to Drew.
A couple of photos at the ramp which we can update later as the drivers took them home as we went upstream.
I rekn it took about two kays upstream before we got into the swing of things by cracking the first coldie to celebrate the moment.
We managed to find the border of NSW and SA. Of course Vic is on the opposite bank so we settled on camping in NSW.
Great night, steaks and salad and a few more brews. A few that shouldn't be mentioned wanted go to bed at 8pm. They were forced to last till 10.30pm
A very comfortable nights sleep with the weather, even maybe a bit warm.
Tuesday, 12 April 2016
Plan of adventure
The River Murray is a part of the lifeblood of Australia and historically was a transport and trade route for a good part of its history
http://www.murrayriver.com.au/about-the-murray/
For some of our foreign friends to follow us downstream..... you know the Amazon River and the Nile River....well after that comes our own Murray River here in little old Australia. The Murray ranks third on the list of navigable rivers in the world.
At 2520 kilometres we will get to see only 527 of it at this stage.... one fifth if the mathematician in me is correct. We can update you on the other 2000 km some other time.
We hope to get the feel of what it was like, taste some local fair, see the ruins and progress of life though-out the lower murray region.
Its going to take long enough to cruise the length from above Renmark to Murray Bridge. Its a 527 kilometre journey. As you can see by the map below it might take you two to three hours by road in a modern car. Our boats are definitely not that fast. The major factor is the river itself is twisty, windy, fast and slow, populated with things to see and do. The course of the river makes its way through 6 locks that control the flow of water. These locks only open during certain hours, making our journey more interesting.
Major centres of South Australia's rural community that the river flows through are Renmark, Berri, Loxton, Kingston-on-Murray, Waikerie, Cadell, Morgan, Blanchetown, Swan Reach, Nildottie, Walker Flat, Bowhill, Mannum and onto Murray Bridge.
So launching in at the boat ramp at the Customs House ( which is now more a houseboat hire company ) than what it used to be....that being border control for goods and services as it crossed state lines.
http://www.murrayriver.com.au/customs-house
The intention of the trip is to traverse downstream to Murray Bridge.
But first day we will venture upstream to locate the border between states. Three states ( South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria converge their borders a few kilometres upstream from the Old Customs House.
After seven days we hope to have seen some sights and more importantly learnt about life on the river....I will especially keep my eyes out for a few characters and maybe get to finally see a Bunyip.
http://www.murrayriver.com.au/about-the-murray/bunyips/
The river flows through and into Lake Alexandrina, Lake Albert and the Coorong region before emptying into Gulf St Vincent south of Adelaide (near Goolwa). It is impractical for us at this time to continue beyond Murray Bridge and onto the the Gulf as crossing Lake Alexandrina requires different safety equipment in the boats and favourable weather is a must in our small craft.
Well these are my thoughts at the moment.....it may change as we learn more about river life over a week in its midst.
http://www.murrayriver.com.au/about-the-murray/
For some of our foreign friends to follow us downstream..... you know the Amazon River and the Nile River....well after that comes our own Murray River here in little old Australia. The Murray ranks third on the list of navigable rivers in the world.
At 2520 kilometres we will get to see only 527 of it at this stage.... one fifth if the mathematician in me is correct. We can update you on the other 2000 km some other time.
We hope to get the feel of what it was like, taste some local fair, see the ruins and progress of life though-out the lower murray region.
Its going to take long enough to cruise the length from above Renmark to Murray Bridge. Its a 527 kilometre journey. As you can see by the map below it might take you two to three hours by road in a modern car. Our boats are definitely not that fast. The major factor is the river itself is twisty, windy, fast and slow, populated with things to see and do. The course of the river makes its way through 6 locks that control the flow of water. These locks only open during certain hours, making our journey more interesting.
Major centres of South Australia's rural community that the river flows through are Renmark, Berri, Loxton, Kingston-on-Murray, Waikerie, Cadell, Morgan, Blanchetown, Swan Reach, Nildottie, Walker Flat, Bowhill, Mannum and onto Murray Bridge.
So launching in at the boat ramp at the Customs House ( which is now more a houseboat hire company ) than what it used to be....that being border control for goods and services as it crossed state lines.
http://www.murrayriver.com.au/customs-house
The intention of the trip is to traverse downstream to Murray Bridge.
But first day we will venture upstream to locate the border between states. Three states ( South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria converge their borders a few kilometres upstream from the Old Customs House.
After seven days we hope to have seen some sights and more importantly learnt about life on the river....I will especially keep my eyes out for a few characters and maybe get to finally see a Bunyip.
http://www.murrayriver.com.au/about-the-murray/bunyips/
The river flows through and into Lake Alexandrina, Lake Albert and the Coorong region before emptying into Gulf St Vincent south of Adelaide (near Goolwa). It is impractical for us at this time to continue beyond Murray Bridge and onto the the Gulf as crossing Lake Alexandrina requires different safety equipment in the boats and favourable weather is a must in our small craft.
Well these are my thoughts at the moment.....it may change as we learn more about river life over a week in its midst.
Sunday, 10 April 2016
Boat modifications and packing
Well Captain Woodduck has been very busy. Not sure what first mate, Woody Junior, has been doing...he can update later.
Woodduck....Between work, childcare duties to his beautiful daughter and actually looking for a tinnie to use for this trip he decided upon the latest pickle fork front Quintrex Explorer. A 390' ,although a little bigger than mine, has the wider beam measurements that gives so much more space.
He has been busy personalising with fore and aft decks, carpet and lockers to give some comfort and appeal to a very shiny new tinnie.
http://www.quintrex.com.au/Aluminium-Boat-Range/390Explorer1?particulars=390%20Explorer
I however purchased a second had tinnie a few years ago. Its a Quintrex 350 Traveller with a 1.5 metre beam so quite a compact boat for a journey like this.
http://www.quintrex.com.au/Aluminium-Boat-Range/350Explorer
I bought it with a 15hp yamaha as standard kit. This lasted a while until number one son had mastered the art of training ski's and tried to get me to go faster. Sorry boy.. I was flat out.
Fortunately a good mate offered me a 30hp Yamaha that he knew of and what a treat. I mainly use the tinnie for the kids to wakeboard, tube and kneeboard. The '30 is a perfect match to this boat giving it plenty of kick when required and still being well balanced. Reinforcing was done by a local craftsman in Renmark providing the strength to the transom. After years of being ridiculed for my little tinnie, I always dreamed of maybe just getting a bigger craft as the kids get better at their water sports... I have succumbed to budget limitations at the moment to remodel what I have. Now added a fore-deck area and also an aft-deck to the same height as the seat at the rear. These have been carpeted and added padding under the carpet for the bench seats..... makes all the difference for my observers when the kids are prompting us to "go faster, go faster", while towing a tube looking for those bumps and waves for the thrill.
For next weeks trip I have put the plastic folding clamp-on seats to the bench offering us some back support along the way.
The fore and aft-deck areas could be used as a casting deck if inclined. These decks offer storage and protection at the moment for the battery and wiring to allow for the tunes on the trip (cause I can't sing real well) so drowning out my dulcet tones and to catch up on the race results, weather reports, a bit of campsite melodies at night at each stop will truly come in handy over the ensuing week.
To the battery I have added an am/fm radio and the obligatory cigarette lighter that you must have these days as we intend on charging our phones via usb adapter along the trip.
How else will we be able to update you on our adventure.??
Also the fishfinder / depth sounder which may also come in handy as I have heard that the Murray is shallow in parts. Will be interesting to watch.
First mate Drewby is busy finalising and scheduling work commitments before trying to relax over a weeks worth of sunsets and sunrises, melded together with some awesome campfire stories and sing-alongs. Plenty of phone calls back and forth and some nights in the shed packing so its not all left to the last minute.
This week will involve packing and preparing, a little bit of shopping and heading off to Border Cliffs SA, via Murtho Road near the Old Customs House.
http://www.murrayriver.com.au/customs-house
Launching at Customs House in South Australia we intend to traverse upstream for a bit to find the literal border between states and return to a campsite for the evening having ironed out some seating arrangements.
More to follow.
Make sure to G+ to be notified of updates to the blog.
Woodduck....Between work, childcare duties to his beautiful daughter and actually looking for a tinnie to use for this trip he decided upon the latest pickle fork front Quintrex Explorer. A 390' ,although a little bigger than mine, has the wider beam measurements that gives so much more space.
He has been busy personalising with fore and aft decks, carpet and lockers to give some comfort and appeal to a very shiny new tinnie.
 |
| Woodducks pride and joy |
http://www.quintrex.com.au/Aluminium-Boat-Range/390Explorer1?particulars=390%20Explorer
I however purchased a second had tinnie a few years ago. Its a Quintrex 350 Traveller with a 1.5 metre beam so quite a compact boat for a journey like this.
http://www.quintrex.com.au/Aluminium-Boat-Range/350Explorer
I bought it with a 15hp yamaha as standard kit. This lasted a while until number one son had mastered the art of training ski's and tried to get me to go faster. Sorry boy.. I was flat out.
Fortunately a good mate offered me a 30hp Yamaha that he knew of and what a treat. I mainly use the tinnie for the kids to wakeboard, tube and kneeboard. The '30 is a perfect match to this boat giving it plenty of kick when required and still being well balanced. Reinforcing was done by a local craftsman in Renmark providing the strength to the transom. After years of being ridiculed for my little tinnie, I always dreamed of maybe just getting a bigger craft as the kids get better at their water sports... I have succumbed to budget limitations at the moment to remodel what I have. Now added a fore-deck area and also an aft-deck to the same height as the seat at the rear. These have been carpeted and added padding under the carpet for the bench seats..... makes all the difference for my observers when the kids are prompting us to "go faster, go faster", while towing a tube looking for those bumps and waves for the thrill.
For next weeks trip I have put the plastic folding clamp-on seats to the bench offering us some back support along the way.
The fore and aft-deck areas could be used as a casting deck if inclined. These decks offer storage and protection at the moment for the battery and wiring to allow for the tunes on the trip (cause I can't sing real well) so drowning out my dulcet tones and to catch up on the race results, weather reports, a bit of campsite melodies at night at each stop will truly come in handy over the ensuing week.
To the battery I have added an am/fm radio and the obligatory cigarette lighter that you must have these days as we intend on charging our phones via usb adapter along the trip.
How else will we be able to update you on our adventure.??
Also the fishfinder / depth sounder which may also come in handy as I have heard that the Murray is shallow in parts. Will be interesting to watch.
 |
| Fishfinder, radio and ciggy lighter plug for interest along the way |
First mate Drewby is busy finalising and scheduling work commitments before trying to relax over a weeks worth of sunsets and sunrises, melded together with some awesome campfire stories and sing-alongs. Plenty of phone calls back and forth and some nights in the shed packing so its not all left to the last minute.
This week will involve packing and preparing, a little bit of shopping and heading off to Border Cliffs SA, via Murtho Road near the Old Customs House.
http://www.murrayriver.com.au/customs-house
Launching at Customs House in South Australia we intend to traverse upstream for a bit to find the literal border between states and return to a campsite for the evening having ironed out some seating arrangements.
More to follow.
Make sure to G+ to be notified of updates to the blog.
Saturday, 9 April 2016
Tinnie trip
Of course it involved beer.
Someone said "why don't we do a trip down the Murray"
Now here we are two years later and its almost launch date.
We told our mates about our intent to do an epic adventure....." let me know when that is and we would love to come along.." they said.
Of course when it really comes down to it, others can't afford the time or have the resources.
So now its four plus two
Four mates and two tinnies
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