Murray River

The sign says it all

We joined the Murray River at Morgan and then followed it eastwards. On our last trip to the east coast in 2008 we had wanted to come home along the Murray, but it was still very hot and we decided to follow the Victorian coast to stay cooler. We have always been interested in boats, so we really enjoyed viewing the river traffic, visiting locks and meeting some of the characters that seem to inhabit all such rivers.

Of course, Echuca, with it fabulous dockside museum and collection of paddle steamers was a highlight. I spent ages chatting to the skipper of the paddle steamer, Alexander Arbuthnot, during our river cruise. The skipper was explaining how the old timers turn the paddle steamers by running the bow onto the bank, allowing the current to turn the boat and then just gently reversing off. So he gave it a go and of course got well and truly stuck! This occurred right in front of the wharf where all the other skippers gave our skipper heaps. We had never heard so many steam horns blowing at one time. As we departed the skipper placed his hand out for extra money, since he had extended the cruise by half an hour and provided much merriment and entertainment for all on board. He didn’t collect much!

P.S. Alexander Arbuthnot

We had intended to keep heading east to Lake Hume and the Murray River head waters. It was now well into May and the weather got the best of us. Snow was forecast to 1100 metres and we were heading up to about 900 metres. Too cold for us Sandgropers, we are use to more pleasant weather. Still, you also need to leave a little in reserve for trips yet to come.