We retreat to Mildura and a tyre dealer. After organising for a new tyre that has to be shipped from Melbourne, we head for the wharf and a paddle-steamer tour on the PS Melbourne. As the Minnow had trouble with the 3 hour tour, we wisely opted for the 2 hour tour.

The Murray River is Australia’s greatest river. Althrough the Darling is longer, the Murray’s capacity and volume far exceeds the Darling’s.

The PS Melbourne’s engine room with its engineer Scotty (real name). I had a chat with Scotty until the captain called for more power. Scotty replied, “I’ve giv’n her all she’s got captain, an’ I canna give her no more.”

Scotty stoking the fire.

The cruise takes the PS Melbourne downstream through Lock 11, one of a series of locks on the Murray to allow for elevation changes. This one lowers the level by 3.5 metres.

Gates closed.

4 million litres of water is slowly released into the lower stretch of the Murray. No pumping is used in the operation.

The open lock with the PS Melbourne now downstream.

River red gum on the northern bank in New South Wales.

Birds are prolific on the river and its banks. Here are a selection of birds seen on the tour.

We steam up to the lower side of the barrage near Lock 11 where the water naturally flows downstream.

Returning to the lock

Water is released from upstream into the lock to equalize the levels.

A galah foraging in a park near the river.

We visit a house built in 1891 that is open to the public. This was owned by the man who introduced irrigation to the region.

Mildura old Town Hall

There are a lot of Art Deco buildings in Mildura such as this one.

Mildura sunset