43.2021 G NSW Clockwise Unwinding Tour. Koalas and the Riverina.

Koalas in the Murrumbidgee Valley Regional Park just downstream from Narrandera were an absolute treat, with several being seen during our three nights in the third week of May 2021, off grid on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.

Although Koalas are an Australian icon, they are rarely seen in the wild by most people, us included, hence the abundance of photos we have included. Unfortunately population numbers are in serious decrease due to habitat clearing, bushfires, predation by roaming or domestic dogs, disease, vehicle strike and climate change. 

The first koala seen was walking across the track as we weaved our car and van through trees seeking a campsite.  He then seemed to disappear on the face of a tree. 

It surprised us that despite the prevalence of koalas, dogs were allowed in the park, many roaming off-lead leaving very apparent traces of their presence. 

This beautiful koala was first seen walking across a track before disappearing on the face of a tree. 

Amazing camouflage.
Can  you see the koala on the left tree trunk?

A closer view.  Note the blend of colours. 

Note the two opposing thumbs on each hand to aid climbing. 

True blue Aussie
Koalas are mainly found in eastern Australia, and feed on anywhere up to 100 different species of eucalypt leaves, eating around half a kilo of leaves a day.  There are approximately 900 species of eucalypt trees Australia.

Such confidence and strength in simply walking up a tree. 

We then moved to another area to camp and after getting settled, looked up to see a koala in a tree overhead.. 

The koala appears as a ball, in one of the forks, in centre of photo. 

A magnified shot of the balancing koala, highlighting the strong cartilage at the end of its curved spine allowing a higher degree of comfort. 

Feeling drowsy from an afternoon nap, all part of sleeping up to 18 hours a day. 

Diluted Wood Duck.

View from our campsite for three nights on the Murrumbidgee downstream of Narrandera. 
A massive contrast to the same river we crossed in the top of the Snowy Mountains at the headwaters. 

View of the Murrumbidgee a few weeks ago in the high country of Kosciuszko National Park. 

Calisthenics honing flexibility and balance.  

Attitude!!

How much can a koala bear?
They are not bears, but marsupials and have more in common with wombats than bears. 

Gracious river gum. 

New meaning for the word "wedgie"

Our peaceful three night camp on a bend of the Murrumbidgee. 

The Billy McMahon pose. 

Whose track is this?

Late afternoon at the bend. 

Snags galore, which didn't seem a priority for removal. 
The river course is in constant flux.   

Not a parliament of owls, but a council of Sulphur Crested Cockatoos.
(Council due to just sitting around looking at each other). 

Sulphur Crested Cockatoos are considered to be the most intelligent of the parrots, with a learning capacity of a one to two year old human child. 
This is probably why they are such vandals.  

Murrumbidgee early morning mist. 

The fire has long since extinguished. 

Cage free budgies

Once more their colouring blended so well with the surroundings. 

Who's a pretty boy?

Time to move into the Riverina town of Narrandera for some days connected to power and water to catch up on laundry duties. 

The grand entry into Narrandera 

Narrandera showing that water tanks can be painted as well as silos.  

Also pained by Owen Lyons, depicts significant icons for the Narrandera Shire Community.

The 1890 original Narrandera water tank is a work of art in itself without the need of paint. 
Thirty six hydrants gravity fed from this tank made the town safer.  

Narrandera silos awaiting artwork with the distinctive aft view of our caravan in the foreground. 

This irrigation canal runs approximately 70kms to the NW of Narrandera. 

A caravan of retro caravans on tour. 

Becoming redundant in the 1980s after nearly 100 years service, the Narrandera railway bridge was one of only twelve iron lattice railway bridges installed across NSW.  

We attended the ANZAC dawn service in this park on ANZAC Day. 
Lest we forget. 

The town of Ganmain featured for morning tea before moving along.  However in the short time we were there, discovered that the most popular sport in town is Aussie Rules; with the local team, the Ganmain-Grong Grong Matong "Lions" Football club competes in the Riverina Football Netball League. 

Men shed their problems when they meet and talk, as in so many organisations like the Ganmain Men's Shed.
So much can be sorted between coffee, tea and making various products. 

To set itself apart, Ganmain has a Literary Institute apart from the customary pubs. 

The town of Collingullie has a population of 221 and two meticulously painted pint size water tanks painted by Wiradjuri artist Owen Lyons in 2019

These water tanks are on opposite sides of the road in rest areas.  One has the inscription:  "Better to be late than dead on time."

Part of the Australian landscape. 

Close up to show the intricacy of aboriginal dot art. 

Charred emu on a mixed berry platter.   

"There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest.

Use both and overlook neither." - Alan Cohen

Cheers, Don and Carrol

(Published on 11th June 2021)