Broughton River ride

Another ride along another river – it’s becoming a habit.

The Broughton River rises in Ngadjuri land at Yakkilo waterhole (also spelt Yakilo or Yakkalo), the confluence of Hill River and Yakkilo Creek, about 11km south of the town of Spalding. It flows north towards Spalding, then turns west to wind through the Yackamoorundie Range. It continues across the plains, through the towns of Yacka, Koolunga and Redhill, and then heads north west to its mouth at Port Davis in Nukunu country, about 20km south west of Port Pirie. The river is 110km long and descends just under 300m from source to sea.

It was named by the explorer, Edward John Eyre, after Englishman, William Broughton, the first Bishop of Australia of the Church of England. It is a little difficult to understand why Broughton deserves this recognition as it appears that most of his time spent in Australia (1828-1852) was in NSW and he possibly never came to South Australia.

The River Management Plan for the Broughton Catchment (2004) says: ‘Watercourse condition varies considerably between different reaches, from near natural to degraded condition’ and ‘in terms of the fish ecology, the river system is in a fair to poor condition’. Nearly 20 years on, these statements probably still apply.

As unqualified ecologists we will cast our eyes on the current situation over a 2 day ride following the river as closely as possible, through this fairly sparsely settled region of South Australia’s Mid North. A bus has taken us from Adelaide to Spalding. After reaching Port Davis we will continue to Port Pirie for the bus ride home.

The Spalding Hotel was great – fire going, full of friendly people, lovely meal, comfy bed

The general store in Spalding is doing Christmas in July every weekend throughout the month