Swan Reach

 24th July 2025




Bacon and eggs for breakfast and then onwards to Swan Reach, where we intend to have a look around and then begin our trip back upstream on the return leg of our cruise. We cast off from our secure berth and headed downstream.




The sand banks along the way to Swan Reach did prove to be a challenge with a few groundings along the way. Nothing that we couldn’t easily get off, but not marked on charts. We saw more red cliffs, some with trees hanging on precariously, others hosting large bird colonies in burrows into the cliff surface.




We passed a large pumping station, had to wait for the ferry to pass across the river before we arrived and berthed at Swan Reach.


Moored at Swan Reach


Large irrigation pumping station just before Swan Reach

Once the boat was secured, we wandered into town to get some fresh supplies and have a beer at the Swan Reach Hotel. The hotel was quite well presented and we suspect the food may have been a big improvement on Blanchtown.


Swan Reach Hotel

 


The crew enjoying a beer at the Swan Reach Hotel, Coopers of course !
We

We had a good view of the ferry from the hotel

Once all back on board, we had lunch and the cast off and headed upstream for about 3 hours before finding a suitable spot to tie up for the night.

The river has hoards of Corellas at the moment. We are not sure whether this is normal or what they eat but they seem to be everywhere.


Cornell’s in the trees along the river front. We have also saw them nesting in holes in the river cliffs.

Tomorrow we plan to continue on to Blanchtown and go back through Lock 1. The weather forecast is not looking good with a windy wet day forecast.





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