A pleasant surprise at Watervalley
24 March 2007
Given the media bombardment of a drought stricken country, we were somewhat wary of what Watervalley Wetlands may be like for our Easter trip. Turns out that despite the lack of boggy wetlands, our concerns were unwarranted.
Departing the clubrooms just after 10am on Good Friday the Pools, the Jenners and the Foxes picked up the Neills and the Neills (Deb, Leighton and Tess and Kathy, Chris and Tamara) at Cafpirco road. We picked up the Guenthers on Mount Burr road and waited while Wolf topped up the tank for the long haul to Kingston then Watervalley. Topping up cost him about $3-40 so we can either highly recommend the Millicent Mobil for cheap fuel or Wolf has earned himself the first fine for the trip.
A leisurely lunch on the foreshore at Kingston and Alex learned that while feeding the seagulls could be regarded as a humanitarian act, throwing the food on the roadway can have calamitous results. Wolf discreetly removed the two corpses and we have fine number two for the Guenthers. At this juncture I may as well hit the Kalangadoo mob with their third fine for the new “antique” caravan. Not a bad rig for a thousand bucks. Leon and Fiona Fox will of course be parting with 20 cents at the next meeting for their new Jayco Penguin.
Onward and upward the radios crackled with the usual banter as we headed towards Salt Creek. There was a bit of confusion finding Watervalley Wetlands but once we caught up with the manager, paid our $40 per vehicle and duly signed the required paperwork, we were off to “Roo Camp”.
We had the obligatory consultation as to which part of this broad open area, surrounded by tea trees represented the ideal campsite and decision made, proceeded to set up camp. It was then straight in to happy hour ( or 2 or 3) and eventually tea, followed by a huge black forest birthday cake for Russell. The kids had done a great job collecting fire (I knew we brought them for a reason) and the rest of the evening was spent with more chatter, wine, port, beer etc etc and Paul Jenner and Russell Pool shared around some Glayva. Fiona took a particular liking to the Glayva and was seen busily licking every drop out of the glass.
After a leisurely breakfast we were off to explore Watervalley Wetlands. Initially the trek along the Northern Drain was mediocre and the reference to it as “the Grand Canyon” in the guide book seemed somewhat of an overkill. However, as the journey continued we were treated to views over an incredible feat of engineering as the drain grew to massive proportions. Completed in 2001 the drain was built to combat rising groundwater, leading to dryland salinity problems. You actually travel on top of the roughly 1.7 million cubic metres of material that was excavated to construct the drain and taking the “high road” affords you some spectacular views of the drain and surrounding countryside.
From the drain we cut across to “Bonney’s Camp”. In 1839 Charles Bonney, with 10 other men made the first overland journey from the Port Phillip district via Mount Gambier and the Coorong, droving 300 cattle. Bonney’s Camp is one of the resting places used by Charles Bonney. The drive to Bonney’s Camp was punctuated with various passengers periodically leaping from their vehicles to secure malle roots for the fire. After lunch we made our way back to Safari road and headed towards the Princes Highway and the “Loop Track” to Salt Creek for an icecream break. Part of the drive took us through a section of burnt vegetation, still fighting back after an intense fire in 1994 burnt the entire tree canopy.
The Jenners scored a couple of fines on the Loop Track. One for their new radio and one for the new aerial falling off thanks to the corrugations. From Salt Creek we made our way back to Morella Station and stage two of the self-drive tour which takes you past Martin’s Washpool, named after a villainous character who washed the blood from his hands in these wetlands back in the 1860’s after murdering a woman who worked for him. This second leg of the tour also included some great views over the Coorong and the “Pipe Clay Lakes”.
Continuing on through the “Morella” block which is roughly 1200ha and currently used for grazing purposes we slowly made our way through the eleven gates and back to camp. In all fairness I probably need to accept a fine at this point. During the icecream break at Salt Creek I took great delight in telling Russell that Debbie Neill (tail-end Charlie) was going to have to get out and close 11 gates. I had forgotten that as trip leader I was going to have to get out and open them.
Sunday saw chocolates galore spill over the broad acreage of our campsite and eagerly hunted by the kids. By mid morning breakfast and an abundance of chocolate had been consumed so we headed to 42 mile crossing and a chance to do a bit of fishing. Kathy Neill set the pace, hooking a mulloway although it was undersize and destined for a quick kiss and release. Hubby Chris and BJ proved that there were bigger fish to be had when each of them lost their bait and tackle to (according to BJ) a large grey nurse shark.
While the fisher people fished and others took in the ocean view, the Pools and the Foxes headed on to Salt Creek for another icecream. Leon took the lead from Salt Creek and headed out towards Meningie saying that he was firstly going to take us on a tour of Salt Creek. In less than two minutes we hit the 110km zone, had to do a U-ey and Leon earned himself a fine. Another 5 minute detour took us past the primary school. As much as you may smile, at least we can say “we’ve been there”.
Heading back down the highway Leon lead us in to Sheep Rug and Chinaman’s Wells for “a look see”. Sheep Rug was a an “OK at least we can say we’ve been there” but it could have been better if there were some signs giving you the history and how it got its name. Chinaman’s proved to be more rewarding with a 2km return walk lined with information.
That night the kids were relegated to the vans while the adults congregated around the fire. After a toast to Ken Riddoch, Caroline lightened the mood with a demonstration of how to suck port through a Tim Tam and the conversation denigrated into accounts of embarrassing camping experiences for those present and absent.
Monday saw Tamara celebrating her 10th birthday and an end to what was a most enjoyable weekend. No doubt there will be more fines to come out at the next meeting so make sure you bring some coins. For Fiona’s workmates, all present on the trip can attest to the fact that she survived the netire trip without having a shower, cooked a roast on the camp fire and had no access to 240 volt.
Like our visitor to the camp site?
‘Til next time!
Janet Pool