Most of the time, my husband Derek is the driver in the family, which gives me lots of wonderful time to look out the window at the dirt roads we pass and dream of bike rides of the future.
When driving from Blanchetown to Morgan, I couldn’t help noticing some lovely dirt tracks between Murbko Road and the cliffs bordering the Murray River. Added to this, I had always wanted to ride across the old bridge at Blanchetown, now reserved for cyclists and pedestrians.
Setting out from Morgan
In March, when it was still quite hot, I set out early from Morgan, to ride down the Murray River to Blanchetown. To start, I caught the ferry across the river.
I followed the gravel on Old Murbko Road out to Murbko Road (bitumen).
About seven kilometres south of Morgan, I found a track to this clifftop view of the Mulyoulpko area.
Brenda Reach
A little further on, I was following this beautiful track
to some stunning views of Brenda Reach.
Joining the bitumen again, I continued south for a further four kilometres. Soon I found an enticing powerline track that ran along the clifftops opposite Pelican Point.
Pelican Point
Murbko
About nineteen kilometres south of Morgan, I came to the small village of Murbko. These stunning orange banksia lined the road.
I hadn’t seen any like these since I had been on the Denmark Nornalup Rail Trail in Western Australia.
Next to the pretty little Murbko church built in 1907, a very well cared for graveyard with German headstones reminded me how many of our early South Australian settlers were of German origin.
Woods Flat
Continuing my ride down the Murray River, I was soon passing apple orchards.
A little further on, a farmer met me at the roadside and mentioned that the apples weren’t ready for harvest yet. He also warned me to stay away from the tracks at the side of the orchard, because of the South Australian cyclist’s nemesis – the 3 corner jack.
Further south at Woods Flat, this monument was all that remained of the Woods Flat School and Institute.
It’s amazing to remember that only one hundred years ago, these areas were much more populated, with most Australians still living in the country.
Roonka Conservation Park
Now 35 kilometres south of Morgan, another beautiful track led me to a lovely view across to Julia Island and Roonka Conservation Park.
A little further on, I was able to see one last panoramic view of the Murray River before beginning my approach to Blanchetown.
Arriving in Blanchetown
My arrival in Blanchetown was definitely a highpoint of the ride.
Vineyards lined the sides of the dirt road that led off Murbko Road and I passed the Burk Salter Cellar Door.
There was a historic Lutheran church nearby and historic cottages dotted the vineyards.
And then there was the new bridge – spectacular in its own way.
Riding under both the new and old bridges, I took a narrow path that led up to the river crossing. Admittedly, it was a thrill to finally be riding on the old bridge that I had seen so many times from the road.
Certainly, it would not be fun to be mixing it with those B-Doubles on the highway!
Despite the innumerable photo stops, my progress had been good. After a quick look at Lock 1, the southernmost lock on the Murray River lock system, I arrived in good time to meet Derek for lunch at the historic Blanchetown Hotel.
Summary of My Ride Down the Murray River from Morgan to Blanchetown
With lots of cliffside tracks, this ride was much more enjoyable than I expected. Of the 45 kilometres I rode, 18 kilometres of this was on dirt tracks or on back roads approaching Blanchetown. The last few kilometres into Blanchetown were excellent, not to mention the awesome ride over the old Blanchetown Bridge.
While most of the ride was along Murbko Road, it was good bitumen and not at all busy. On the day I rode it wasn’t windy or hot, but it could have been a tough ride in different conditions.
All together I had cycled 45 kilometres and climbed 210 metres.
Eventually, I hope, this ride between Morgan and Blanchetown will become part of our extended Murray River Cycling Route. We have already completed the section between Mannum and the Murray Mouth.
