SATURDAY 13 MARCH

 

Rain! Our plans for the morning were washed away. Instead, we visited the Information Centre which was most helpful and we managed to rearrange our plans. The weather cleared during the day so all was not lost.

In the afternoon, we had a Coorong Cruise booked so, although we were under cover in the cabin, it was good the rain disappeared so we could enjoy the upper deck as well.

The Coorong is a fascinating place and our young driver and his assistant were both very knowledgeable about the area and how the whole ecology worked. It was very interesting to see the mouth of the Murray River and hear how that entrance had changed over time. We went through the Goolwa Lock which took us into the main area of the Coorong.

There are several barrages on the river to help manage the flow. Taming the river is a massive job.

We caught up with a long time friend and her partner for dinner. So lovely to see friends when we travel around the country.

May of the area known as the Coorong

Always enjoy being on the water

Goolwa Lock

A tern resting on the fence

A long-nosed fur seal. Indigenous to South Australia. Also called NZ Fur seals, but a species of their own

Black swans and a variety of other aquatic birdlife

White breasted Cormorants

Near the mouth of the River Murray

Breakers in the Southern Ocean on the other side of the sand bar which shifts at the River Murray mouth

Time for a stroll across the dunes to the ocean side

Long stretches of deserted sand

In both directions

Twisting for Pippies. The local name for cockles which are harvested from these ocean beaches

Just a bit breezy

Emus on the beach

Coastal environment

Of course Pelicans abound

Great place for kite surfing. These two are racing across and back right at the mouth

Good day for wind surfing too