In the heartland of New South Wales, just north of Cooma, our lens captures the humble beginnings of the mighty Murrumbidgee River. Emerging from the verdant Monaro Plains, it begins its majestic journey, a testament to the enduring spirit of the Australian landscape.
Our drone has painted a vivid tableau of this terrain, capturing three striking 180-degree panoramas. A symphony of whites and greys unfurls across the sky, the blue canvas peeking through the interspersed cloud cover. Rainstorms gather on the horizon, hinting at the refreshing lifeblood they will soon offer to this vast land.
The last panorama reveals the stark reality of limited rainfall, the brown tones of the arid earth punctuated with scattered patches of green, the nascent signs of emerging crops. A neat Hazel Nut Tree farm, leafless yet laden with promise, etches tidy rows onto the canvas of this landscape.
In the distance, you might discern Canberra Gliding Club's Bunyan Airstrip, poised and ready for the dance of the wind and wings. Beyond, bush-covered hills stand guard, the vigilant sentinels of the western horizon.
This is the genesis of the Murrumbidgee River, the lifeblood of southern NSW and the heart of the ACT. Almost 1,600 kilometres of nature's highway, its waters will wind westward, culminating in the Murray River near Balranald.
These images capture more than scenic vistas; they encapsulate the unfolding narrative of the Murrumbidgee, a tale that is as timeless as the land itself.
In the heart of the plains, where the cool waters weave,
There flows the Murrumbidgee, 'neath the sky's broad eave.
A life vein of the land, from the mountains it slides,
Carrying tales of the bush, where the old spirit resides.
Its whispers echo softly, from Balranald to Cooma,
Unveiling hidden stories, each a resounding boomer.
It feeds the Murray-Darling, in a gentle, loving swoon,
Reflecting the quiet whispers of the ageless, pearly moon.
From the dawn's early light, to the dusk's gentle sigh,
Its waters never halt, beneath the vast, blue sky.
Glimmering in the sunlight, under the Southern Cross,
The river holds our history, in its currents, we are at loss.
Its timeless journey goes on, weaving life's endless song,
In its depths are secrets, to which our hearts belong.
The Murrumbidgee River, a testament to time,
Its melodious journey, a beautifully penned rhyme.