Towards Adelaide

Today's destination is Adelaide. But first some photos in the immediate area - at Wentworth, Mildura and a certain bridge.

Route planning for the day suggested starting in Wentworth, then returning to Mildura as the road to Adelaide is located there! And with two routes most of the way to Wentworth, it would be possible to visit more territory along the way.

River Junction

About 30km downstream from Mildura is where the Darling River joins the Murray. The Darling drains most of inland New South Wales, and a goodly amount of inland Queensland. It is also the location of the NSW town of Wentworth, which is west of the Darling and north of the Murray.

Y shaped river juntion, trees on all shores

The junction of the Darling - flowing in from the left - and the Murray, which flows left to right. This is looking roughly south east.

Small lagoon, tree cover and green something covering most of the water

A small inlet off the Murray River, covered with something green, which may be some sort of aquatic plant. This is an area near the junction, mostly natural bushland with a walking path. This is the water inlet area for the Thegoa Lagoon, a site of Aboriginal heritage. The last major corroboree, with over 500 people, was held in the 1860s.

Leaf litter strewn pathway among trees and shrubs, 2 magpies on the path

These two magpies were out scavenging for something to eat along the path through the bushland area near the river junction.

Grassed area, some trees and observation tower with spiral staircase

The observation tower provides a better view of the river junction, and is situated in this well maintained area at Wentworth, with visitor facilities and plenty of parking.

River junction with tree lined shores, seen from tower with dead tree near

The view from the above observation tower, looking in about the same location as the first photo in this section - the Darling flowing in from the left, and the Murray flowing out to the right.

Long legged bird, black with blue chest and red stripe over head

A Purple Swamphen came around while descending the tower. It appeared well adjusted to the presence of humans.

Bark covered embankment with green shrubs forming the outline of a tractor

This decorative border to the tourist area at the river junction honours an event from 1956. To quote the words of the dedication:-

Wentworth Shire Council

This special plantation pays tribute to the humble grey Ferguson tractor, the unlikely here of the 1956 battle against the floods that threatened to engulf Wentworth when Australia's two largest rivers - the Murray and the Darling - rose to their highest recorded levels. The Ferguson was the backbone of the Herculean effort by the townspeople to save their homes and businesses. The tractors and their drivers toiled tirelessly to build levees around the township and it is commonly acknowledged that without the little grey Fergie Wentworth would have been washed away.

Embankment with Wentworth spelled out by small shrub plantings

The embankment with the tractor also has the town's name spelt with shrubs. Alas, there is no way to view the name without those trees in the way.

Lock 10

Lock 10 and its weir are located immediately downstream of the rivers junction. They are 830 km from the river mouth, and 30.8 m above sea level. Construction was completed in 1929.

Cement lock structure, with metal gates and poles at each end

This lock has undergone extensive refurbishment since 1964. The wooden lock gates replaced with metal ones, and those poles installed, though their purpose was far from obvious. And safety fencing to stop people falling into the water.

Small concrete weir, perhaps 4m high, crossing the river from the lock to the other bank.

The associated weir for this lock. In 1964 (at least) people were able to walk across the river along the top of the weir. During typical summer flows, the upstream level is 3.4m higher than downstream. And a fish ladder (or fishway) has been added to the southern (distant) river bank.

Upstream end of lock, in grassy area, with paddlewheeler turning in the river

This paddlewheeler, presumably from Mildura, had earlier come down the Murray and headed up the Darling while I was at the junction area. Now it is returning, coming a little downstream and then turning to head back to Mildura.

Lock 11 - Mildura

Lock 11 at Mildura is situated between the southern river bank and an island. The weir is on the northern side of the island, appropriately called Lock Island. The lock is 878 km from the river mouth, and 34.4 m above sea level. The typical summer flow water level head at the weir is 3.7 m.

Small stone pillars with metal gate leading to park area with yellow poplar trees

The entrance to Lock 11 at Mildura. This is "the mainland", with the lock and island in the distance

Grassy area with pink and grey birds feeding, and hill with trees in background

The grounds around the lock are well maintained, and appear to be a good place for these galahs to have a feast.

Concrete lock with low water level, upstream gates closed, and control cabin of green metal

Lock 11 is expecting a tourist boat coming upstream, with the water at the downstream level. As with Lock 10 above, there has been considerable upgrading of this lock, including the safety fences to stop people falling in! New steel lock gates and a control cabin for the operator. Presumably much nicer when there is inclement weather.

Blanchetown Bridge

After Mildura, the road to Adelaide heads west to Renmark and Berri, past Blanchetown, Nurioopta and through Adelaide to Glenunga where I had a booking for several nights.

Two lane bridge disappearing in the distance, with barrier to stop vehicles across most of the road.

The photo of a blocked off bridge is not very interesting, except that this bridge was opened on the 24th of April, 1964, less than a month before the 1964 trip. So it was surprising to see it blocked, as it appeared in good condition, if perhaps a little narrow. It appears the bridge was considered inadequate for B-double trucks. I presume weight was the problem, but width might also have been an issue - it did seem narrow when I walked part way across.

To the right is a cairn with some plaques with details of the construction and the opening ceremony. The bridge details are thus:

This stucture, the first major prestressed concrete girder highway bridge built in South Australia, replaced the Blanchetown vehicular ferry crossing, in use continuously since 1869.

The bridge of 12 spans is 1450 ft. long between abutment bearings, has a 26 ft. wide carriageway, and is on a uniform grade of 2½ percent. The concrete piers are founded on precast prestressed concrete piles of maximum length 61 ft.

The prestressed concrete girders were precast segmentally in Adelaide, brought by road to the site where the segments were assembled, jointed, stressed and launched into position, the weight of the heaviest girder being 50 tons.

The total cost of the bridge, excluding approach roadways constructed departmentally, was ₤510,000.

Note the bridge was 2 years before decimal currency, and some 10 years before metrication!

View from side looking along concrete bridge, slight view of river below

This bridge looks to be in good condition. The first lock and weir on the Murray River, just visible between the piers, is located here at Blanchetown.

The bridge was opened by the then Premier of South Australia, Sir Thomas Playford.

Blanchetown is also the location of weir and lock number 1 on the Murray River. It is 274 km from the river mouth, 3.3 m above sea level, with a typical head height of 2.5 m at full summer flow.

The ends of two bridges, with car on the further, newer bridge.

The new bridge with a car, the old one not having seen a car for quite some time.

Mildura

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