Banrock Station Wetlands: Ron is amazed by the "big dry" on the Murray in the Riverland region of South Australia
Banrock Station stands as a beacon for sustainable development in what can be a harsh and unforgiving environment. At Kingston-on-Murray - 250 kilometres north east of Adelaide - the annual rainfall is just 260 millimetres or 10.2 inches. But with the help of state-of-the-art drip irrigation the vines turn a brilliant gold at this place where the dry mallee meets the Murray valley.
We filmed Banrock's official opening a decade ago, when the wetlands were full. But now, things are very different. Thanks to the drought, the wetlands are bone dry.
Kate Thorn, Banrock Wetlands: "People might think that this looks like a drought scenario - but it's actually what this environment needs. It needs a wetting and drying cycle. We've had one full wetting and drying so far and the results have been really amazing. There's a lot of rehabilitation happening just from that short period."
This drought-like landscape is partly the result of a deliberate strategy, designed to replicate a wetting and drying cycle that's been a feature of the Murray for millennia. In fact this great expanse of dry mudflats was the norm for thousands of years prior to the establishment of the locks and weirs.
Back in 2008 Banrock Station purchased more water to flood the wetlands and if you were here in the latter half of last year the boardwalk took you out into a watery wonderland. But come to Banrock today and you encounter an amazing change - one that's been a feature of the Murray for thousands of years.
The moisture below the crusty dry surface, combined with the ever present Riverland sunshine, is the cue for growth as the river red gum seeds dropped at the last high-water mark take root along with bull-rushes, slender knot weed and water primrose.
Fish traps have done their bit to eradicate the Carp from the Banrock Station wetlands - a noxious pest that churns up the bottom and gives the river its brown muddy appearance. During the last wetting cycle the Banrock team took photos of a clear carp free waterway in which you could see through to marine life below. For some it brought back memories of the River in the sixties before the arrival of this European curse.
Native mussel, river red gum saplings - they all wait for the wetting and drying cycles which trigger amazing growth and in amongst it all - flowers of the most delicate and exquisite beauty make their stand on the dry wetland floor.
The cellar door offers plenty of views over the wetlands and vineyards and Banrock's plans for Mediterranean wines, which make the most of our climate.
Paul Burnett, Banrock Station: "We want to foster an environment where we're producing wines that can get people really interested in wines. So we're trying the Tempranillos, the Montepulcians and the Vermentinos. They are great varieties which are going to be very well developed in the Riverland because it's a region with a huge amount of sunshine."
Sun, food and wine and water, depending on the wetting and drying cycle - it all makes for a unique blend at the Banrock Station Wine and Wetland Centre at Kingston-on-Murray. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
Banrock Station Wine and Wetland
Kingston-on-Murray
250 kilometres ex Adelaide
Open dailyPublished 14th June 2009
