Blast From the Past - Part 8 - Paringa Sandbar on the Murray River

Growing up on the river as a kid, there was one place we would always go back to time and time again. That was the Paringa sandbar which sits on the outskirts of the Paringa township, about 15 mins drive from Renmark.

I don't know exactly why spots like this on the Murray River have sand bars, but it transforms the river side into kind of like a beach except there are no waves and the water is not salty.

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During summer we would quite often come here for a swim to cool off as it could get damn hot up at Renmark where we lived. I remember it hitting 48 degrees C a few times.
We also used to do a spot of fishing but would usually catch carp with the odd red fin now and then.

If you do plan on going for a swim in the murray River you should always be cautious, as people do drown. Extra caution should also be used when the river is flooding, as it becomes very dangerous. One year I nearly got swept away by flood waters and scared the pants off of the old lady.

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Paringa is also a great area to catch yabbies when the river is flooding.
The area fills up with creeks and channels which only happens when the river is flooding, and yabbies pour into these spots.
I remember we could put a net out and pull it up 15 mins later with 15 - 20 of them in there.
Some of them could get damn big too, and I have had my fair share of nips from their claws.

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If your planning to visit the River Murray and are checking out Renmark, then you should definately go and check out Paringa while your at it.
I have some great memories of this place.
Here is a google map link of the spot.
I have also submitted it to google maps as a tourist attraction for future reference :)

 

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