Mulwala State Forest NSW

Mulwala State Forest on the NSW side of the Murray River was a nice change from the barren and almost camp site free desert of Lake Hume. Here at Hinces Beach was great camping place despite it having been flooded recently. There were tens of Murray Cod heads pinned to a tree at the rivers edge (more than half must have been under the legal size) but I did not get more than a nibble.

 Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 640, 70mm f8, 1/80 sec

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 Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 800, 200mm f8, 1/80 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2D @ ISO 560, 35mm f8, 1/80 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2D @ ISO 640, 35mm f8, 1/80 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2D @ ISO 1600, 35mm f8, 1/40 sec

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Lake Hume, Dam or Reservoir

Lake Hume is formed by the Hume Weir on the Murray River just downstream of its junction with the Mitta River. The towns of Tallangatta, Bonegilla and Bellbridge are located on the shores of Lake Hume. It is often referred to as the Hume Weir and Lake Hume by the locals but is actually a dam. The upper reaches of the Murray to the town of Jingellic. The dam is currently about 85% full and filling with the swollen Mitta Mitta and Murray rivers pouring into it at present. The strange thing about this dam is its almost entirely surrounded by private land and camping is not permitted anywhere around it where there is public access. The day visiting areas are also as  rare as the trees around its edge. Traveling the 70 or so Km upstream along the Murray to Jingellic there is a boat ramp and camping area here, which I found almost every square centimetre taken. Not surprising given the lack of accessible areas along this part of the Murray and around the Hume Weir. Beautiful place if you can find somewhere to stop and enjoy it.

  Nikon D300, Nikkor 18-200 f3.5-5.6  @ ISO 200, 18mm f22, 1/200 sec

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  Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f22, 1/100 sec

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  Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 220, 11mm f22, 1/80 sec

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  Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 250, 11mm f22, 1/80 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 560, 11mm f22, 1/80 sec

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In The Pink

The Pink Lakes are in the Murray Sunset National Park in the far North Western corner of Victoria, on the border with South Australia and New South Wales. You turn off the highway at Underbool, 60km west of Ouyen on the Mallee Highway and 80kms from the South Australian border. From here its an an all weather gravel road to the main camping area at Lake Crosbie and nearby you have Lake Becking, Kenyon and Hardy. The waters of all these lakes appear pink and the intensity of colour varies throughout the year and is strongest after rains and in overcast conditions. The water is actualy crystal clear and 80 times more salty than the ocean, its on the solid salt bed of the lakes which is covered with a species of red algae (Dunaliella salina) that gives the lakes their characteristic pink colouring. Commercial salt mining was carried out here from 1916 until 1979 and there was once even a small town and a school. Access further north into the 633,000ha national park is 4WD only, very soft sand and some of the most remote areas of Victoria. We returned home via Manangatang and Swan Hill where I finally got to see a Murray Cod.

 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f2.8, 1/8000 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f2.8, 1/8000 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f2.8, 1/8000 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f22, 1/125 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f22, 1/60 sec

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Swan Hill Cod Shot

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f16, 1/250 sec

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