We are now at Waikerie, citrus trees in particular dominate the agricultural landscape. They look in good shape too. The trip up from Renmark has also taken us past almond plantings stretching as far as the eye can see. It is a big industry. We briefly stopped at an Almond processing plant and found large mounds of what must be millions of empty almond shells waiting to have something done with them in the surrounding yards of the plant.

Barmera is another town along the route on the shores of Lake Bonney. Sheep are big around here and sheep dog trials are being held over the upcoming June long week end, Allthego would not like to have been defending the dogs in this court.

A little further along we turned off to have lunch at Banrock Station. Known for Riverland wines but also for the huge amount of reclaimation and recovery work done on the wetlands of this former pastoral property. Great views form the deck. This is a place worth spending more time at to look around and appreciate the diversity of the landscape and wildlife returning to the habitats.

‘Waikerie’ is derived from the indigenous word for the Rain Moth, an insect prevalent in these parts it seems. A mural on the local Foodland store depicts the life cycle of the moth. Allthego gets a bit frustrated with these murals that are at street level and surrounded by cars, rubbish bins and various signs! Homealone though says that this is what it is all about ‘street art’, put up with the distractions and appreciate the art! How true and a wise comment!

Waikerie is very much focussed on citrus, silo art works and the Murray Cod, as well as the Murray Crayfish. Some very good silo and street art are the town’s main attractions. The Murray also winds its way through the town with cliffs on one side and flood plain on the other, littered with billabongs and creeks.

The Big 4 Caravan park we are in is a little disappointing, no river view for vans. These are reserved for the huts that are lined up in rows and seemingly destined to take over the park. This is an ongoing trend in Big 4 and other corporately run van park groups, some of them are taking on the appearance of close settlements (being gentle here, gulags might be a rougher term). Wouldn’t stay here again.

The weather has turned a little on us, some sporadic rain and it is chilly to say the least. But the sun comes out amongst the clouds and we head off on a loop day trip to Morgan, where the River takes an abrupt turn south after heading north west for some time, and then down to Blanchtown and back to Waikerie. More about this trek next time.