We drove through Nuriooptpa, an olive growing area, then on to Blanchetown. The first lock on the Murray was there. At the lock there were flood markers and in 956 the water was 25ft above flood stage. It was strange to see a flock of pelicans in the water by the dam, waiting for the fish that came through the fish ladders. From the bridge across the river we could see the tall yellow cliffs that line the Murray in this region.
In Waikerie we had lunch in a park by the river and took a cliff walk up to a lookout tower. We could see bends in the river and wetlands beyond the banks. It's very dry country, but is heavily irrigated for citrus fruit and other fruits and vegetables.
We took the ferry across to drive along the cliffs, then took the ferry back. We drove toward Kingston on Murray to go to Banrock Wetlands, but the walk there is 8 km and it was almost closing time. So we stopped for an early evening at a rest stop nearby. We'll do the walk tomorrow.
Was just listening to the news. The Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard has been fighting against a strong opposition and declining public ratings. The announcer just said that she had jumped the shark! Google the phrase, amazing to me that it made it to Australia.
Pictures - Pelicans at the lock, Jeanne with the ferry on the Murray
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