Day 218 - West of Victor Harbour to the mouth of the Murray River

Today was to be the last of our eastward passages in southern climes.  Our target was the mouth of the Murray River.  Firstly though, we had to take a closer look at the Causeway to Granite Island.  We walked it, and the island as well.  The horse drawn tram was leaving as we arrived back on shore.  Our observation from this little exercise, Victor Harbour is indeed a beautiful place.

101114 The Causeway from Victor Harbour to Granite Island

101114 From the top of Granite Island, looking towards the Bluff,
and Wright and West Islands

101114 The Causeway from Granite Island to Victor Harbour

101114 Matty pulling the tram along the Causeway

101114 Misty having her nails done, waiting her turn to draw the tram 

We recommenced our eastward journey which took us to the quaint, "olde, worldy" Port Elliot.  If we took photos of the old buildings there, we would still be there.  Horseshoe Bay was a pleasant spot too.  Port Elliot has a beach too, as do most of these little towns.

101114 Horseshoe Bay from Freeman Knob at Port Elliot

101114 Knights Beach at Port Elliot 

Goolwa was the next town.  Again it is an old town and they have preserved many of the old structures which gave it too, an element of quaintness.  It is on the Murray River so one would expect some river traffic.  We saw one old boat which is used occasionally for river cruises but it has been replaced by a big, modern twin hulled monster, all white and flashy and a little bit out of place.

101114 Does a cruise on the Murray River once a month 

By this time we were near to the Coorong, that part where the Murray River and the huge area of water it transports, spreads over the flat lowlands, prior to finishing its voyage to the sea.  We crossed to Hindmarsh Island which is a large island (10km x 5km) accessible by bridge from Goolwa.  From Hindmarsh Island one can see the mouth of the mighty Murray, albeit from some distance away.  The mouth is accessible from the beach but driving on sand for us is a no, no.  We drove to the eastern end of Hindmarsh Island.  Here the land is marshy and full of little islands.

101114 Pictorial representation of the Coorong

101114 The bridge from Goolwa to Hindmarsh Island

101114 Hindmarsh Island from the bridge

101114 The mouth of the Murray River

101114 Arial view of the Murray River mouth

101114 Self explanatory, at the SE corner of Hindmarsh Island

101114 Goose and Goat Islands from Forecastle Head
at the eastern end of Hindmarsh Island

There are five channels the Murray takes through the Coorong to reach the sea.  Each has a barrage built over it, to keep the salt water away from the fresh water.  We went to the one at Goolwa which is 750m long.  It was completed in 1940.  What a sight we saw.  The place was alive with sea birds, most notable being the pelican and there were also two New Zealand Fur Seals.  We watched for some time as the pelicans captured their tucker.  Some "fished" where the water was escaping through the fishways. This was obviously full of fish, but others fished solitarily, but never failed to get a fish with each dart of their heads under the water. 

101114 Feeding frenzy at the Goolwa Barrage

101114 The Goolwa Barrage connecting to Hindmarsh Island

 Goolwa had a beach too and a long one at that.  Plenty of waves but only two surfers.

101114 Goolwa Beach on the Sir Richard Peninsula

We really enjoyed today and to see the Murray carrying water to the sea was a plus.  To see it sunshine helped too.