BENEATH a wavy black line, a sign outside the Renmark Club reads “Flood Level 2022”. The flood peaked six months ago on the 26th December, 2022. A network of levee banks helped save the South Australian town of Renmark from the floods. Now that the floods have receded, I’m keen to explore the wetlands along the Murray River with Murray River Trails.
Our small group of 10 gathers for a briefing with guides Jo and Kayla. Jo unrolls a map of the Riverland Wetlands. The Murray River curves around and back on itself, meandering diagonally across the page. This area will be my home for the next four days.
I’ve been warned to rug up. It’s late June and cold. Wearing a beanie, gloves, a scarf and four layers under my windbreaker, I step on board an open pontoon-style boat. The breeze is fresh as we travel upstream from Renmark. A light mist rises from the river. I shiver and pull my scarf up over my nose.
It’s easy to see where the flood peaked.
