Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
No Comments »18th June, 2006; Category: Murray River
PS Madam Jade
The PS Madam Jade has been moored at Sturt Reserve in my home town of Murray Bridge for some time now. The Jade is a trading boat, with all kinds of second-hand items for sale. It is one of several boats moored in the port of Murray Bridge. There are several boats available for short morning, lunch time or afternoon cruises on the river. Several even have full catering facilities. Several other larger boats take tourists on weekend or five day cruises upstream.
Relaxing Cruises
Having been on several of these cruises over the years I can say from experience that a cruise on the river is an excellent way to spend a few hours. The passing panorama of houses picnic grounds and dairy farms is always interesting. The birdlife on this stretch of the river is prolific. Pelicans, swans, whistling kites, gulls and terns make up only a few of the species one can witness on a boat trip.
First Boats
The first boats used on the river were carved from the bark of the eucalypt trees by the original inhabitants, the Aborigines. I don’t know of any canoe trees in the immediate vicinity of Murray Bridge. The closest I know of is on a tree near the road to Goolwa, about 45 minutes drive away.
Early Explorers
The first European contact with this area was the small group of explorers led by Captain Charles Sturt. Sturt had explored the Murrumbidgee and Darling rivers before finding his small boat in the river he named the Murray River. On February 8th 1830 Sturt and his crew camped on the bank of the river near where the PS Madam Jade is moored. The area is now known as Sturt Reserve and is only a gentle five minute stroll from the CBD of Murray Bridge.
Picnics
Both locals and visitors enjoy the facilities on the riverbank at Sturt Reserve. There is a lovely playground, extensive lawned area, barbecue facilities and three land restaurants in addition to the restaurants on the boats. Every few weeks my wife and I take a picnic lunch to a favourite spot of ours along the river front. It is so relaxing just watching the river craft pass by and the passing parade of birds.
All Creatures Great and Small
No Comments »15th April, 2006; Category: Animals, Birds, General, Murray River, Photos, South Australia, Zoos
When we go to visit friends or family in other parts of the state or interstate we have sometimes asked the question, “What’s interesting to see around here?” Most people haven’t a clue about their own town and district. They don’t think like a tourist in their own place on Earth.
I’m fairly familiar with my own district but it came as a delight to read about it in today’s paper. There was an excellent travel article about the district where I live in today’s Adelaide “The Advertiser” newspaper.
Many of the features mentioned in the article are within a few minutes drive from my home in Murray Bridge South Australia.
To read the full article “All Creatures Great and Small” click here.
It sounded so interesting I must get out and revisit some of these places.
Picnic at Swanport Reserve
Picnic
Today we spent a very relaxing day at a Church picnic. It was originally scheduled for Australia Day in January, but that was cancelled due to very hot weather. Last night the steady rain threatened to spoil our picnic yet again. This morning the sky was clear with not a cloud to be seen with a gentle breeze. Some clouds did appear around lunch time, but generally it was a great day.
Fishing and Canoeing
A good number of people attended the gathering on the lawns at Swanport Reserve. This reserve, a few kilometres south of Murray Bridge, is on the banks of the Murray River. The extensive lawned area has a scattering of large, shady trees throughout. A sandy beach lines the eastern edge of the reserve, perfect for casting a line or two. Optimistic anglers grace this small strip of beach from time to time. Friend Keith took the trouble to bring his canoe; various ones took turns canoeing the stretch of river near the reserve. I must take our canoe down there sometime as it’s been years since we’ve enjoyed the pleasures of sliding quietly through the water.
Birding
I usually am keen to visit this reserve as the birding can be very good with an interesting range of birds to be seen. The birding was rather slow today so my list was shorter than usual. A flock of some 60 to 100 Galahs kept a constant chorus of squawking, disturbing the peacefulness of the picnic. Their wheeling from tree to tree painted pink swirls against a bright blue sky in contrast with Jeff’s rainbow coloured kite fluttering in the breeze.