[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” custom_padding=”0px|||” transparent_background=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|||” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” locked=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_post_title title=”off” meta=”off” featured_placement=”background” text_color=”light” text_background=”on” text_bg_color=”rgba(28,28,28,0.9)” admin_label=”Post Title” _builder_version=”3.0.87″ title_font_size=”35px” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” parallax_effect=”off” module_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Trip Report Main Text” _builder_version=”4.9.11″ hover_enabled=”0″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]
Murrumbidgee river (part 1)
We launched our Murrumbidgee adventure on Saturday 27 May. The early morning was beautiful in a very Canberran way – cold and foggy, with the Brindabellas as a superb backdrop to the morning sky.
After collecting the Koppe family, who were at an alternate starting point (lost?), we set off under the guidance of David Darke, popping out of the mist at Piccadilly Circus into a glorious sunny day.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://staging.lrc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/trip-route.jpg” url_new_window=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image” _builder_version=”3.23″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_duration=”500ms” animation_intensity_slide=”10%” border_style=”solid” sticky=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]The first few kilometres were an easy cruise and people had a bit of fun over the radio – the central debate about whether it was necessary to wash cars before or after travel. The answer was unclear but as I write this report a week later the Rigter’s car remains a muddy tribute to a great day.
The Power Line Track provided a bit of a challenge as it was still wet and slippery from the rain with some deep ruts at the crest of the slope. Koppes took the road way as they were in a hire car. The Stevensens and Rigters gave it a go (and failed), decided to travel the road route, got bushed and circled back for a second go. A little help from a shovel smoothed the crest a little and up we launched. Eric, driving the Prado, had his own little cheer squad, with his 18 month old granddaughter calling “Oh, wow! Go, Opa ,Go.” From there the track was a breeze and we met the rest of the group enjoying morning tea at the very top of the hill
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”2562,2567,2565″ posts_number=”3″ zoom_icon_color=”#05572d” admin_label=”second Image Gallery” _builder_version=”3.0.87″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_gallery][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]From a driving point of view the rest of the trip was a comfortable drive with the most amazing scenery, stunning forests and arty rock outcrops.
It was at the Blue Water Holes turn off that people saw their first brumbies off in the distance. Later in the trip we all saw some large mobs close to the road. Magic moments!
Lunch was enjoyed at Blue Water Holes. As someone’s lunch was still on the kitchen bench and others were expecting to eat at Adaminaby, lunch was a shared event of pooled resources. Some enjoyed a short walk down to the pool, others played with their drone but everyone enjoyed the opportunity for a chat and a stretch.
We stopped at the source of the Murrumbidgee on Long Plain. It’s amazing that at this point in the Snowy Mountains the Murrumbidgee is little more than a creek in appearance. As it flows it gains stature, becoming the second longest river in Australia, flowing through NSW and the ACT and finally joining the Murray River near Boundary Bend (near Balranald).
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”2561,2564,2566,2568″ zoom_icon_color=”#05572d” admin_label=”third gallery” _builder_version=”3.0.87″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_gallery][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]For many this was their first time at Long Plain Hut. More brumbies and kangaroos, and a few moments of quiet reflection about what life was like a hundred years ago…
The next hour of the trip took us past Tantangara Dam and more brumbies, curling back into Adaminaby in the late afternoon.
Thank you, Ann, David and Tim, for researching and planning the trip. We are looking forward to Parts 2 & 3 of tracking the Murrumbidgee
Paulette and Eric Rigter
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