Bourke

I went for a one hour ride on the PV Jandra which is a modern paddle vessel that travels along the Darling near Bourke. The river is so low it is not flowing but is still picturesque. There was plenty of bird life including kites, pelicans, herons, spoonbills, kookaburras and swallows. The boat goes under the old lift bridge and the adjacent new bridge. The skipper told us that once the new bridge was completed the intention was the old bridge be demolished. Fortunately this did not occur as it is a great example of bridge architecture. It was built in 1883 and is the oldest moveable span bridge in Australia.

At the pontoon where the vessel is moored there is a telegraph pole showing the heights of the 2009 and 2012 floods. These markers were about 4m above the top of the riverbank and the river is currently 4 or 5m lower than the bank so it must be an incredible sight to see when in flood.

Tuesday we start our trek down the Darling since enough roads are open. Our first stop will be on a sheep station which has a few powered sites for glampers like us who enjoy the comforts of home!