• The river is part of the Murray-Darling Basin that spans more than 1 million sq km. Photo: Luke Tscharke
    The river is part of the Murray-Darling Basin that spans more than 1 million sq km. Photo: Luke Tscharke
  • The Murray is one of the longest navigable rivers in the world. Photo: Luke Tscharke
    The Murray is one of the longest navigable rivers in the world. Photo: Luke Tscharke
  • You'll learn all about the river on the Murray River Walk. Photo: Luke Tscharke
    You'll learn all about the river on the Murray River Walk. Photo: Luke Tscharke
  • The Murray River is a photographer's paradise. Photo: Luke Tscharke
    The Murray River is a photographer's paradise. Photo: Luke Tscharke
  • The river sustains a diverse range of wildlife. Photo: Luke Tscharke
    The river sustains a diverse range of wildlife. Photo: Luke Tscharke
Close×

Tony Sharley owner of Murray River Walk tells Great Walks how recent floods are bringing new life to Australia's most famous river.

You'll learn all about the river on the Murray River Walk. Photo: Luke Tscharke
You'll learn all about the river on Murray River Walk. Photo: Luke Tscharke

"Here on Murray River Walk in South Australia, we’ve experienced the largest flood in 66 years. As the river rose before Christmas it slowly spilled over banks and onto the floodplains creating a 10km-wide river that was spectacular to see from the air and wonderful to explore in boats cruising through forests that are normally dry.

Wildlife irrupted. New life was everywhere. We saw fast swimming broods of ducklings darting after water striders on the surface, yellow-billed spoonbills nesting on branches leaning out over the swollen river, and the constant call of sacred kingfishers that enjoyed the boost in food and perfect breeding conditions.

The Murray is one of the longest navigable rivers in the world. Photo: Luke Tscharke
The Murray is one of the longest navigable rivers in the world. Photo: Luke Tscharke

Tadpoles were busy along the shallow waters at the edge of the floodplain. Yabbies were a feast for egrets, herons, and humans.

The water levels have now receded, and riverbanks can be seen again. Like a blower on a leafy street, the fallen leaves have been washed away and the floodplain floor is clean with a new spread of sand, silt, and clay across the floodplain.

The Murray River is a photographer's paradise. Photo: Luke Tscharke
The Murray River is a photographer's paradise. Photo: Luke Tscharke

These new seed beds are quickly sprouting tiny redgums, wattles, and early colonising forbs and sedges.

There is a new mark on every tree showing the height of the flood, that will start a conversation about when and how this happened, what are the benefits, how long will they last and when will it flood again?

Over the next 12 months our guides will have the opportunity to share that conversation with our guests as we witness the new plant growth and birdlife that responded to the 2022/23 flood."

The river sustains a diverse range of wildlife. Photo: Luke Tscharke
The river sustains a diverse range of wildlife. Photo: Luke Tscharke

Murray River Walk itinerary:

  • Day 1: Renmark to Headings Cliffs
  • Day 2: Headings Cliffs to Chowilla Creek
  • Day 3: Chowilla Creek to Bunyip Reach Cliffs
  • Day 4: Bunyip Reach to Renmark

For more info on Murray River Walk click here.

comments powered by Disqus