South Australia is said to be the driest state in the driest continent. Yet incredibly, we have an area where there is enough water for a Paddlers Paradise.
The Murray River is the beating core of the Riverland region tucked away against the Victorian border in the east of the state. It is also the source of an extensive anabranch system. This provides canoeists, kayakers, and boaters with a diverse environment to explore and camp in. There is another article “Offerings for a Murray River Adventure” with further information for those planning a Murray River trip.
What is an Anabranch you ask?
- It is a waterway that leaves the main river and eventually flows back into the river some distance downstream.
- The anabranches create “spiders’ webs” across the floodplain.
- They range from narrow and twisting to broad, and shallow.
Rumpagunyah, Ral Ral and Amazon Creeks are all anabranches.
From the South Australian/Victorian /New South Wales borders on the river down to Lock 3 is roughly 200 river kilometres. This is bordered by the sprawling anabranch system across the floodplains made up of roughly 400 kilometres of “Paddlers and Boaters Paradise.”
There are 5 individual regions. Some are solitary while others flow on into the next. Each has its own unique beauty and charms that draw the paddler/boater/camper in.
River Murray Canoe Guides
The regions named after the predominant creek or features are:
- Chowilla
- Ral Ral
- Pike
- Katarapko
- Loch Luna
Gear that you will need
A wide variety of maps can provide you with the means to navigate the area, but in particular, a series of specialist maps produced by Canoe SA (Chowilla, Katarapko and Loch Luna) and Riverland Leisure Canoe Tours (Ral Ral) provide detailed information about their respective areas.
Getting equipped to explore these areas doesn’t have to be difficult. Standard hiking gear and accessories are generally all that is required, there is just little less focus on the weight of your gear, and a little more focus on keeping it dry.
Set yourself a challenge and start cruising this wonderland now, whether you have your own craft or you need to hire.
If you have any further questions, contact Snowys, or leave me a question in the comments section below. See you on the water!