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After completing Menindee we head south to the Darling Anabranch lakes – currently they are mostly dry and several have wheat or barley crops planted across the lake beds to take advantage of their fertile alluvial soil as they dry back.  

Nearie Lake (which is a Nature Reserve) and Lake Milkengay have water and there are moderate numbers of waterbirds – Pelicans, cormorants, darter, spoonbill and herons as well as Grey Teal, Pacific Black Duck and Pink-eared Ducks.

After refueling at Mildura we continue east towards and into the Lowbidgee floodplain wetlands which are drying back after flooding in late 2022. 

The Lowbidgee floodplain wetlands have been heavily impacted by river regulation and diversion of water but recent environmental water releases have assisted their recovery. 

Paika, Yanga and Tala lakes are holding water with moderate numbers of waterbirds, mainly Pelicans, cormorants, darter, spoonbills, Grey Teal, Black Duck, Pink-eared Duck and Wood Duck. Most of the wetlands in the eastern and southern parts of the floodplain are dry.