21st June 2016

This morning the rain continues to drizzle, clearing up early afternoon. We drive east through mainly sheep farming country, there were some sections with rolling green hills a pleasant sight after so much red dirt.

We have lunch in Morgan along the Murray River.

We camp tonight in a free camp right on the banks of the Murray River in Renmark SA. We have a camp fire and on the menu is backed jacket potatoes cooked in the coals, one of everyone's camping favourites.

22nd June 2016

A short drive this morning brings us back into Victoria, and then a little further on we arrive in Mildura. We cross the border to camp in New South Wales, securing a river front site at Buronga Caravan Park. This is the only park in the immediate area that is right on the water and allows you to have a camp fire (essential for these cold nights). We are right near the Mildura waterfront, there is a paddle steamer moored across from us, houseboats and a Paddle steamer travels past a few times a day.

Whilst hunting for kindling, Cameron found a stumpy tail lizard.

We decide it is time to pack away the summer clothes and bring out the winter woollies. We discover Lachlan's growth spurt has continued, he has grown out of his long pants and only one of his jumpers still fits. Camo decides he will take Lachlan's clothes, we suspect he has also had a growth spurt as the clothes despite being a bit big aren't too bad a fit on him. So off to the shops we go buying some Navy blue trackies so he can also wear them when back at school. It will be interesting to plot the boys on the height chart at home.

We enjoy another night by the campfire overlooking the river.

23rd June 2016

Today we explored around Mildura and drove around Wentworth in NSW. We went out to Perry Sand Dunes. The wind was quite strong, so we explored along the windward side of the dunes, as we didn't feel like being caught up in the middle of a sandstorm.

We walked along the strip of the land to the tip where the Murray and Darling Rivers meet.

We are surprised to learn that despite the weather, there is still the presence of blue green algae in the waterways. The boys are out fishing and put out the Yabby nets, they know its catch and release if they are successful.

Rain persists tonight; unfortunately it's too wet to sit around the camp fire. We retreat to the camp kitchen, which is a large set up, enclosed from the wind and rain with a gas heater. We enjoy a pleasurable night with Wayne, Phil, Jodie and family socialising and playing Uno.

24th June 2016

The weather conditions across southern Australia are appalling cold, however Mildura temperatures a few degrees warmer, so we decide to stay put one more day.

A check online confirms that Mungo National Park is open so we head off there for the day. A few Kilometres down the road, still outside of the park; the signs tell us the road is closed. A call to the visitor's centre confirms the other possible road in is also closed, so we head back to explore a little more in Mildura, before heading back for a lazy afternoon at camp.