Waikerie

 20th July 2025

Today we cross the border into South Australia, completely void of all fresh fruit and some vegetables, to pass through the fruit fly quarantine inspection gate at Yamba. Fortunately, we passed the test, and could move on to Waikerie where we will need to buy all of our fresh fruit and veg for our houseboat cruise. We also plan to buy a lot of other provisions including meat in Waikerie.

After a few hours driving, the need for a cup of coffee was becoming more urgent, but there were no obvious places along the Sturt Hwy you could stop towing a caravan to meet this need. We tried to avoid into the town centres as parking was likely to be an issue.

Eventually we pulled into Barmera and headed into the town. We drove right down to the edge of Lake Bonney where we found a small cafe on the lakeshore with ample parking for long vehicles. It was here we learned a little history of Lake Bonney. We ha stumbled upon the site where Donald Campbell attempted to break the World water speed record in 1964. His boat, Bluebird, reached a speed of 347.5 km/hr, but the World speed record was not broken. The lake was too small and the waves created by the boat too dangerous. He did break the record later that year in WA.

A Plaque commemorating the record attempt

Our chosen cafe, was named the Bluebird Cafe.






We were the only customers in the cafe and the Elderly English gentlemen who owned it was keen to have a chat, so we got a bit of a run down on the area and the passing clientele.

Much happier after our morning coffee, the final 30 minute drive to Waikerie went quickly, and we arrived atthe caravan park at 12.30pm.  The site we had been allocated, next to the Churchills, was already occupied, so we chose the nearest one. It is a nie, very well organised park which looks like it may have had a recent upgrade. 


A wander down the street after settling in to get something for lunch confirmed that not much is awake in Waikerie on a Sunday. Woolies was open, so we could get enough provisions to make a sandwich back in the van for lunch.


Mid afternoon I decided to go for a walk along the river which runs just behind the caravan park. There is no bridge crossing across the river at Waikerie, so to get to Morgan tomorrow, we either have to catch the ferry, or drive down the river to Blanchtown. We can cross the bridge there and then drive back up river to Morgan. It only appears 10 minutes longer than the ferry route, so we will most likely do that.

The Waikerie ferry runs 24 hours a day 7 days a week and is free.


Walking past the ferry there is a sign indicating there is a cliff top walk along the river bank. The main feature of the walk is the irrigation pumping station that was established in the late 1800's, not to mention the great views of the river landscape.


Early into the walk there is an old pump that supplied water to Waikerie until 1965, having been originally installed in 1928.



Further along are the ruins of the original pumping station that was established to supply irrigation water to farmers. Built in 1894 steam driven pumps were used to supply irrigation for the area drawing water from the Murray River. The ruins of this station are all that is left, as well as the chimney for the boiler that generated the steam.


Remains of the pumping station


The old chimney still stands

The lookout from where the chimney is located 125 feet above the river provides a great view looking down the river.


Great view down river

The walk continued along the river cliffs, bit I gave up when there was a steep descent as I knew I would have to come back up again on the return trip and time was moving on. Before I turned around I could see some silo art in the distance.


Back at the caravan park we have an excellent AFL ground with a very flash clubhouse just next to the park.

 

Only recently completed the clubhouse for the Waikerie Football Club is an impressive building on the river side of the football ground which is equally impressive.



Dining at home tonight and planning for a big shop in the morning to get our houseboat provisions for the coming week.

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