Kayaking the sickest urban river in Australia

BAD RIVER - The Cooks River: Australia's sickest urban river is located in the glamorous and famously pretty city of Sydney. This makes sense, given it’s also Australia's largest, hard-surfaced, drainified, leaky-sewered, city. In my little red kayak I decided to trace all 23km of the Cooks River, inspired to do so after paddling my boyhood river over 4 days in the name of Backyard Adventuring. Finding it not only challenging, but shocking in terms of its ill health, I’ve since shifted from wanting to see the wildest and most pristine places on earth, to the most degraded and sick. This is a journey of ill-health, sadness and hope; putting a test to the local saying, ‘if you fall in, you’ll dissolve’.
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BAD RIVER: THE COOKS RIVER
Produced and Directed by
BEAU MILES
Produced and Edited by
MITCH DRUMMOND
Producer
JODI EVANS
Filmed by
MITCH DRUMMOND
CHRIS ORD
BRETT CAMPBELL
& BEAU MILES
Final Sound Mix by
JAMES DOBSON
Maps and Colour
BRETT CAMPBELL
Scrip Support
CHRIS ORD
Supported by Screen Australia
And KZbin through the
Skip Ahead initiative

[@pickuptrash]

I can very much understand your frustation. I´ve been doing river clean-ups for almost a year now and there is so much trash. All kinds of plastics, car tires, I even found motor oil containers. It´s just terrible so see all this thrown into our rivers. I really hope that through videos like yours this problem will get a lot more attention. Goodonya

[@newport5504]

I recently dumped my old washing machine in a national forest the dump cost too much

[@Iswhatitisssss]

@@newport5504 😂

[@tmmtmm]

​@@newport5504 when a seagull poops on you next, that's just the earth returning the favour by taking a dump on you

[@nicholaswhorley8343]

@@newport5504 Take it to a junk yard. Sell it for scrap metal at a recycling place. There are many other ways to handle disposal rather than just dumping it in the trash!

[@RMJ1984]

Thanks for making a difference.

[@adamkarcz8644]

I run the same path roughly 3-4 times a week. After a year plus of passing the same glass bottle, I stopped my run, picked it up, and recycled it. I've now made picking bottles and plastic part of my regular runs. In fact I feel bad if I haven't at least picked up one thing on a run and disposed of it properly. It's watching films like this that push me to keep at it. Keep up the amazing work Beau!

[@BeauMiles]

I love that an impulse to not pick up, switched. That's worth bottling, telling folks about, and scrutinising by smart people who might be able to tell us why. Good one AK.

[@zachb8012]

You wouldn't have to do much, just pick up more trash than you left. If everyone did that... there'd be no more trash to pick up.

[@flightjunkie808]

@@zachb8012 I wish I was that easy. The truth is the whole world doesn't know what to do with trash. The problem needs to be fixed on the corporation, government, and each and every country level.

[@Salmacream]

@@flightjunkie808 But picking it up would help

[@AG-ig8uf]

Too bad it probably won't get recycled. Plastic recycling is a myth, it is easy in theory, but in practice it's not feasible. Even in countries with very cheap labor, health and environmental costs eventually outweigh any benefits. Disposable plastic bottles in particular must be reduced or even completely banned.

[@joshuafoulds8107]

I am usually a pre-dawn runner, but after a rare afternoon run in the sun I noticed just how trash covered my usual routes are. I have now gone on a few runs with my kid's stroller, some trash bags, and rubber gloves to start the clean up process. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@pedrowilson6211]

Nice work 👍

[@stevethebeast1813]

As a Sydney sided myself, I drive past the river everyday and think nothing of it. We think about doing things to help but never seem to get around to doing them. This makes me feel so much more motivated to be honest. I never thought I’d ever feel so connected to the land I’ve lived on for my whole life. I want to help now. Not for praise or attention, but for the land itself. Truly inspiring.

[@sasha-dt5vk]

did you go and do it?

[@TheAgavi]

It's inspiring to see a dude go and fill his bags with rubbish, for sure. It's a pipe dream to think that we could ever mobilise overworked, time-poor people living in one of the most expensive cities on the planet to do the same. Problems like this are brought to our attention by legends like Beau but actual change isn't achieved or maintained by individual action like this, nor should it be. Society can't be organised around the hope that people will do the right thing (and especially not the exemplary thing). We need institutional change. We need more and more disposable plastics bans and government investment in cleaning and restoration. I hate that the environment is polluted too but if I'm 100% honest with myself, I'm never jumping in a river and digging out the trash. I work 60 hours a week and pay plenty of tax. All the government has to do is stop giving that tax to rich people and start using it for good.

[@kurtrussell2321]

@@TheAgavi need to start deporting all of those who came here after 1973

[@fEkuaR]

You won't though.

[@321findus]

"Not for praise or attention" Is that why you felt the need to proclaim that you want to pick up trash? If you really cared about littering, you'd go out and pick up trash instead of just talking about it online. Upload a video of you picking up trash and update your comment, or stfu

[@shona5512]

This man's storytelling ability is incredible. The little back in time segment was brilliant.

[@BeauMiles]

Thanks Shona. Took a little bit of head scratching that bit...ta for the warm words

[@sheissaaaaa]

@@BeauMiles and you're a Seinfeld fan! favorite episode?

[@donatina1987]

His immune system too.

[@shermanator87]

I reackon cleaning up these sort of waterways would be perfect for people serving a community service sentence. They'd be doing good for the local community, the environment, the local infrastructure, plus it'd be a hard and unpleasant enough experience to act as a significant deterrent.

[@channelbree]

Makes too much sense mate can’t do that.

[@marleyg2850]

Have Politicians do it.

[@matthewcurry3565]

First you gotta clean the courts..... Or else get ready for your turn for whatever reason they want.

[@warwicklewis8735]

That would be racist.

[@AAA-xe7yd]

Not every felon has a resistance like this bloke. They would complain and call in sick within half an hour.

[@BrandonMaki]

Also worth keeping in mind that most of the plants that are in the 'wild' areas you're going through are invasive weeds that have carpetted the joint.

[@lifenoobz]

Yes but we are also at a problem where those evasive weeds like lantana are also habitating small bird and animals. Since most small native shrubs have been riped out.

[@PhoenixIsTrash]

One day, Sydney will be nothing but Lantana. The entire bank of the Cooks River is nothing but Lantana.

[@drillbag]

the invasive plants are especially a problem along the rail corridor

[@DG-iw3yw]

why do we call invasive plants the problem when it is ignorant people who are the problem

[@lifenoobz]

@@DG-iw3yw well maybe originally.but also by definition it what they usally do invade

[@Grxmlvn]

You are doing absolutely phenomenal work mate. I’m from New Zealand and our rivers are becoming much the same; the green washing and denial from the people is disgusting. I hope we can let nature heal the way it needs too, and soon.

[@paynemeikle5853]

So glad to be American everytime I see anything about new Zealand. I can't help but be blessed to be so far away from that socialist hell hole.

[@Grxmlvn]

@@paynemeikle5853 just say your delusional and move on lmao

[@bellsoflagunabend6668]

@@paynemeikle5853i bet this mf can’t even define socialism with googling it

[@amygroff17]

​@@paynemeikle5853I would rather live in New Zealand than in America. Our country is horrible lol

[@Tomeccho]

​@@GrxmlvnHe's not wrong mate. Even with the recent change is govt it's just gone from full speed hellbent to socialist autocracy, to now taking the same route but at a slightly lesser rate of knots. The only delusion here is anyone thinking socialism is a good thing.

[@user-ux2uw8kg3s]

I'm a kayak guide in Japan. It was really shocking for me to see lots of plastic garbage in the sea or coastline. I learned Australia is the same as Japan from your video. Thank you for sharing it. We have to change our lifestyle.

[@dariusdauderys6218]

Only way to change it is burning most of the garbage for energy, otherwise its not very efficient.

[@berthold64]

some countries are better hiding their trash

[@JamesTK]

@@dariusdauderys6218 yeah, incineration can be better for the environment when it's a complete burn. Landfills result in a lot of off gas and leaching of chemicals into the soil. They're also not suitable for land reuse due to contamination and subsidence.

[@ImUrZaddy]

Did the Japanese pick the garbage in the cities, took pictures and boasted how clean they are on the internet then dumped the garbage in the radiated rivers ?

[@weevil_bob]

I pick up rubbish when I go kayaking and my kayaking use to get too full, need something to tow on the kayak to put the rubbish in. Think I picked up most of the rubbish at least until it rains again.

[@Hungrydawgsrunfaster]

“Feeling feral is perhaps the most liberating space a human can dwell…” those sentences literally hit me and made me feel 10 again. Excellent use of words.

[@hubertdenise3100]

Yep.The feeling of being out in the wilderness, be it a wood, swamp, etc all alone, no signs of humans is amazing.

[@ChristelVinot]

one of the main reasons I kayak alone.

[@jadeddragon4254]

Living natural would be a better explanation. You don't want to be eating raw rotting ungulate Carcass by moonlight when the wolves finally give you a turn

[@donnavorce8856]

YES!

[@ChristelVinot]

@@jadeddragon4254 freedom isn't all unicorns and gum drops...

[@cineblazer]

What I love most about these videos is how Beau perfectly demonstrates what it means to retain childlike wonder into adulthood. Everything is new, and cool, and fun, and worth experiencing to him. I aspire to be more like that. Keep up the amazing work Beau, you're an inspiration.

[@andrewsmith2591]

Most people doing this sort of 'river adventure' would star at the mouth and travel upstream until it got too difficult. That would mask the problem. The fact that you went the other way is amazing. It really opened my eyes to the rubbish in particular. Hopefully a video like this can inspire others to make a really good clean-up effort.

[@Camille-uh8oc]

Why would you do that though ? Paddling upstream for literal kilometres would be so hard- why not go downstream

[@nectarburn]

It's good to see it has opened your eyes up. Unfortunately this is the sad reality that we live in, i go on lots of bush walks and the problem is the same. Not one walk i go on, do i not take rubbish home with me. I'm not by any means wanting praise for it. But if you actually get out there in nature, you are exposed to the harsh sight. If everyone took as much rubbish as they can, then the problem would start to fade. We can't rely on local governments to help. So if we all came together, we could slowly start solving the problem.

[@jamessparkman6604]

@@nectarburn the people who own that river disappoint me they don’t take very good care of it. They had a job to do and they didn’t do it not very well anyway it fact they didn’t do their job at.

[@staggeringdeath8479]

No, they would travel down stream!

[@Matoakas]

Give this man his own tv-series! Such a natural entertainer. Just by being himself! Keep up the good work lad!

[@michaelmccloud7506]

He doesn't need one, he has youtube.

[@jetsshowbruh7617]

agreed bro , spot on , i could watch this guy all day

[@flip0345]

Yea right mainstream media dont want to show there dirty underside

[@fluttzkrieg4392]

+Vegard Baisgård No one watches cable TV anymore. But I can definitely see him producing a Netflix or CuriosityStream documentary.

[@jaredborden1035]

This is the best place for his material. Where he's writer, producer, director, videographer, editor. Where he can naturally share his life and projects. I don't want to watch a Beau Miles where someone other then him is responsible/owns the mission and vision of the material.

[@Luminary600]

I can relate to this, I have been clearing up the rural roads near my home for the last few years. Once, a person driving past stopped and asked why I was "dumping garbage". I showed her the bags of trash in my car and she was surprised. She told me that she lived less than a kilometer away yet she never stopped to pick up trash. She thanked me and drove off. I have never seen anyone else cleaning the roadside. This video made my day. Thank you.

[@jockoharpo2622]

That is what road workers are paid fo do. COmplain to the state road dept to get off their asses and do their damnded job!

[@countofst.germain6417]

@@jockoharpo2622 you aren't very bright are you?

[@aniksamiurrahman6365]

Where do you live?

@@countofst.germain6417 Why? it's true. You pay taxes to have clean surrounding. At least here in europe. I totally understand that you cannot expect that in the middle of the woods of Alaska or Canada but if the area is populated than the road workers should clean it. I mean it's literally what their job is. And of course they cant pick up every thrash there is. We also organize whole country cleanup once a year where whole country goes out and cleans thrash from wild for a day. On 17 April 2010 there was 105,000 people cleaning at the same time through whole country. 105,000 may not be much but considering that there is only 2,000,000 of us living in Slovenia then 10% sounds quite a lot :) "Let's Clean Slovenia in One Day!"

did you even read the comment? Are you illiterate? Debate is about comment not video. And you are running your mouth about "glasses" and education...

[@ptarushasagame8405]

This hurts me and inspires me at the same time. I live in Alaska and I often see tourists leaving used diapers, beer/soda cans, snack sized chip bags, and plenty of other things on the banks of our once pristine riverbanks and coastlines. Not saying locals don't do it too but the massive influx of tourism in the summers really blows your mind when you see the impact is has on nature.

[@MoonflowerGypsy]

You truelly are a blessing to this Earth. I have ventured along the Georges River NSW and it was putrid. So I drove to bunnings bought gloves and bags. Went back and cleaned up the area where everyone picnics. It was like a Rubbish tip. I couldn't walk away from it. Fishing line . Plates left there where everyone sat. Used baby nappy etc. I really felt heartbroken with all that rubbish. I even felt tears in my eyes watching your journey. This was truelly amazing to watch.

[@GrnMtnMom]

Beau, I just shared this with my over 300 newsletter subscribers and volunteers here in SE Vermont (USA). I stumbled across this video today, quite by happy accident (hat tip: Bob Ross). In 2000, my husband and I were walking around the town we'd just moved to, and found our way to a bridge spanning a lovely river. Midway across, I hopped up to look over the railing because I love rivers...I wanted to see a duck or beaver or fish or something. Instead, I saw tires, shopping carts, and cement blocks in the water. "That's terrible!" I sputtered..."Somebody should DO something about it!" My husband elbowed me in the ribs and responded, "Well, YOU'RE 'somebody'." He was right. I got started, with just a couple of co-workers that I roped into helping - and I've never stopped. I'm currently organizing my 23rd annual RiverSweep cleanup, an event that is just one of many that I conduct as Founder and Director of the Black River Action Team (which, by the way, I run in my 'spare time' from my full time desk job). "You're 'somebody'" continues to be my mantra, the core of my mission of stewardship - it's up to each and every one of us to take the time to step up, step in, and be willing to get filthy in order to keep our river clean and healthy. I watched your video with emotions that ranged from aghast outrage to agape inspiration. Good on ya, mate!!! Keep up the incredible work.

[@Lmnop913]

That’s inspiring. It makes me want to get involved and with all this extra time I’ve got on my hands, I think I will. Thank you.

[@BurlieBull]

Great story, and a wonderful mantra in more ways than one!

[@lindboknifeandtool]

Women love rivers. My girlfriend is the same. She got to take a river ecology class one year. Our rivers in Colorado are either well taken care of, or regulated to high hell because the worst thing I’ve found in the river is an ice cold unopened coors. Drank that bad boy and melted it into a little bead that I wear sometimes. I had a project in the third grade about “reduce reuse recycle” I’ve come to lean that’s the only pragmatic way to sort this issue out. Thanks for what you do, I hope to someday live in the Midwest in the middle of the woods someday.

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

Fantastic work! Hello from North Central VT. Great to hear that there are those who are aware and doing something about it. There has been a major cultural shift in this state in the last 30 years I've been here. Once upon a time, you would have to work to find a piece of trash here. Now, it's just part of the landscape, it seems, and it breaks my heart. So, thank you for doing something about it.

[@jockoharpo2622]

Yes..SE Vermont is you gueeed it...In the USA.

[@MoosesValley]

For the last 25 years, I lived near beautiful, almost pristine Aussie beaches, and enjoyed morning and afternoon beach walks while marvelling at their beauty. And every day for me - every single day - was "Cleanup Australia Day", picking up the rubbish that lazy, careless tourists and locals had left behind, and rubbish that had washed up onto the beach from elsewhere. During this time, I removed 100's of wheelie bins full of rubbish from these beaches. My parents did the same. As did a few other locals. Most people would look at me with stunned amazement as they stood by and watched me drag away everything from car tyres to bags full of plastic bottles, discarded rubbish, and washed up bait bags, but they rarely joined in the effort. Sometimes people ask me if I want to take part in this year's Cleanup Australia Day, and I just shake my head. I do it everyday. Anyway, really appreciate your work and the tour of Cooks River, although it was heart breaking to see the rubbish ... +1 Like. +1 Subscriber.

[@kamashana5906]

Your an actual gigachad mate

[@thirtythreeeyes8624]

Cleaning up trash one day a year is why it isn't getting cleaned up. It feels like most people treat taking care of the environment as a way to look good for others with politicians and celebrities being the worst. No doubt 90% of those people at cleanup day take plenty of pictures to post on social media showing how much they care, then the next day it's right back to walking past the trash.

[@simoneastland]

Same here in UK. Bottles, fishing nets, kids bucket & spades, burnt out firework plastic tips, plastic spoons, coffee lids. The list is endless. Local beach bars & cafes now supply bags & litter pickers to borrow.

[@dooby1445]

Absolutely based

[@shellymenzies841]

My boyfriend and I do the same. There’s nowhere we can go without spending time (as little as half an hour most of the time) cleaning up other people’s rubbish they’ve left behind carelessly. The park we’ve been living in for the last few months is always littered with so much rubbish (and my personal pet peeve, cigarette butts). We’re spending countless hours per day cleaning out the mangroves here because disgusting lazy people can’t be bothered to put their rubbish in the bins provided. Good to see other people share the same sentiments when it comes to litter! Good on you

[@johndelaney2957]

I haven't lived in Sydney for 35 years now, your video just appeared so i thought i will have a look at this I'm glad i did very good enjoyed it. When they cleaned up Homebush bay for the 2000 Olympics they couldn't understand how the mullet were alive then alone surviving, they caught some and apparently they had evolved extra livers and kidneys to filter out the toxic environment they were living in, just like the turtle in your video must have done to be able to live in that waterway, rather sad isn't it.

[@nobleani9177]

10:29 that shot just breaks my heart, it really does. I wish people could see how damaging plastic is for the environment, and I wish more people cared. Honestly heartbreaking to know how careless people are. I hope one day all rivers are clean and healthy again

[@TheSteinin]

You could make a significant amount of that go away in a couple of hours and a pack of trash bags, if you're willing to get your hands dirty.

[@nobleani9177]

@TheSteinin if I lived near a river I knew was this bad I'd recruit as many friends as I could and go clear as much out as possible

[@FlyingFox429]

If it wasn't in that specific spot it would be out at sea 13:54 the turtle is more sad

[@fale892]

Keep wishing like everyone else...and continue to do nothing apart from wishing

[@bricks9084]

Beau is one of those friends you wish you can see more often

[@WTFwuzdat]

I wish I had a friend like him.

[@FluePeak]

But you cant because he is always out doing something fun.

[@WTFwuzdat]

@@FluePeak the point is to do those fun things together with friends. :)

[@dmiller9786]

My best dog was named Beau. So many similarities, including wood collection. Spooky if Beau M turns on the tub faucet for a drink but then leaves it on.

[@chronicawareness9986]

I'm one of those.. people love ny company but im so hard to get!

[@ats-3693]

Bloody hell, this should be shown on television here in Aus, we give stick to places like Indo for having filthy garbage filled rivers while most of us don't even realise that we have them too, we just keep ours conveniently out of mind out of site.

[@zanedietlin7645]

Here in the US we say the same things about Mexico, but LA and NY are filled with smog 75 percent of the time. The LA river? it looks just like the Cooks expect bigger and dirtier. It's time these first world countries got around to doing something

[@ActiveAussie2024]

Yeah, it's ironic how we point the finger at Thailand and Indonesia ( I 've personally seen heaps of plastic rubbish on beaches in remote parts of Thailand) but we have a lot of rubbish and pollution here in cities like Sydney and Brisbane. I used to go to Nudgee Beach in Brisbane a lot , a nice place to get near the water for a while if you can't be bothered driving to Gold or Sunshine Coast. Walking through the mangrove swamp and wetlands there you see all sort of garbage, plus rubbish among the rocks near the waterline, broken beer bottles etc. The Brisbane City Council removes the larger pieces of debris in the area from time to time and on the beaches, but it just accumulates again. It's really just people's laziness to blame, trashing these areas.

[@ats-3693]

@@ActiveAussie2024 And the thing is here in Aus there is actually no excuse for it whatsoever, every single one of us can put every bit of rubbish where it belongs if we want to and every industry can afford to dispose of their waste responsibly and our local and city councils have the resources to clean up all the rubbish and pollution in their regions and cities. In places like Indonesia the situation is way more complicated and they have their work cut out to come up with solutions, most regions in Indonesia don't even have any kind of rubbish collection, even if the individual local villages and towns organise their own form of rubbish collection they still have no means of disposing of it properly they just pile it up and burn it, or chuck it in a river 🤦and I'm not making excuses for their pollution but the people are pretty much stuck because their government doesn't give them the resources they need to get on top of it.

[@ActiveAussie2024]

@@ats-3693 yeah. I agree with you. Here we can actually do something about it with not that much effort. Some of the Asian countries it's a lot different.

[@BeauMiles]

Yes, very much the case for the top half of Cooks- it's unseeable. Out of sight, smell, sound; out of mind.

[@chaliceb5]

Man, just came across that vid...what you do, raising awareness for the mess us humans create in nature, is heroic and can't be honored enough. Thanx for your work. Greetings from Germany.

[@stogesmcgee3251]

Almost wanted to cry seeing that trash it never gets easier thank you for doing that.

[@threalharrydubois]

"felt like doing something illegal by coming in and doing this" - great sentence. I love how you shed light on different perspectives and things that should matter a lot more than they do in our everyday lives.

[@ascher40]

Hit the nail on the head! I often feel like im going to have the cops come and interview me for being somewhere out of the ordinary.....

[@threalharrydubois]

@@ascher40 Trust me, there is a lot of people feeling like that. Communication & a set of humanistic values, and we might have some hope on our hands.

[@r0br33r]

Lmfao HOW IS THAT SURPRISING? YOU'VE JUST SPEND TWO YEARS IN HOUSE ARREST!

[@RaigarRogue]

You’re a good man Beau - you’ve inspired me to get out and tidy the country lane by my house this evening after work. Something I’ve done before and stopped doing out of frustration, but you are right we all need to show our environments some love - if we don’t, who will.

[@cakeycakecake6827]

This is genuinely film festival documentary award winning stuff. Amazing!

[@AntsAdventures-xb2yc]

Gd on ya mate. The planet needs more blokes like you.

[@peterwalpole5389]

Watched this and immediately went outside and picked up litter for 5 hours. I think I live on the cleanest block in New York City now. What a way to spend a day - thanks for the inspiration!

[@levihalperin7649]

I'm trying to imagine the efforts required to film this so nicely. I wanna see your camera man's perspective following you through this sewers. Would like to see a behind the scenes

[@zapperpaddy7072]

agreed, I mean some of the shots just make you think how does the camera man get that shot!

[@SuperHairytoes]

@@zapperpaddy7072 He did an episode that was about his cameraman.

[@driftlesshermit9731]

Was thinking the same thing.

[@Tr3mbl3z]

@@SuperHairytoes i loved that episode about the camera people behind the video. HEY BEAU! start a second channel for the behind the scenes of each video. I'm sure there's additional footage that doesn't quite fit in with the narrative you've produced. I love seeing the polished product but how good would seeing a behind the scenes be! the shot with the rubbish 'barge' was confronting but to be honest i was mostly thinking about the camera man and how he was also in the thick of it with you.

[@Hertog101]

Shout out to the camera man! Doing a terrific job.

[@alessiopani1296]

thank you so f*****g much for your existence, I'm from Italy and to watch your videos make me happy and more near you and you make me feel less alone, despite the distance

[@joannefazenbaker1448]

What a incredible interesting journey. Thank you for taking me along. Very educational.

[@RedstarIsHere]

10:07 brought me to tears. We have one home, Earth, and the least we can do is take care of it. You're doing an incredible service.

[@fabbiotimpano]

Literally my dad... we did these kind of adventures in the adelaide hills as kids with my dad. We would walk everywhere and my father taught us to pick up as much rubbish on the way. We turned it into a game and it became a competition of who could find the best thing each day as we picked up everything we could. We were diving into deep bushes and getting into places only rubbish would fall into over a long time. I can second how much I enjoyed it because it became something fun aswell as cleaning the environment, I miss those days.

[@kweenk5072]

That's so great!! I'm glad you were able to make a game out of it and have fun while doing a good deed at the same time. I wish a lot more ppl would be more considerate of our Earth. Thank you for taking care of this Earth and your help keeping it clean......

[@Matlockization]

@@kweenk5072 If people can pick up rubbish then they can also stop throwing it out as well.

[@Bart-Did-it]

Why did you stop … you grew up

[@kweenk5072]

@@Matlockization Yes, I know

[@starglismann6879]

👊🏻👩🏻‍🎨👏🏻💞Wonderful…goodonya!

[@Am_Brew]

It's disgusting to see what we have done to the planet, thank you for these eye opening videos.

[@anniehamilton1709]

Great eye opener, TFS. This should be part of every school curriculum. Whenever I walk, I try to pick up rubbish I pass. What a difference it would make, if everyone did a little bit everyday

[@kylewolfe_]

Some network has to give this guy a show with a huge budget. His adventures are always so inspiring and entertaining

[@brodie652]

This is honestly what we need more of, all of us know the damage we are causing but if you could document more places lost to humans like this it could open peoples eyes.

[@Skaatje]

Humans know, that's not the issue. Caring enough about it to go out and do something, or change your lifestyle is the problem. Everybody wants change, but no one wants TO change.

[@Ghost-fe1vp]

I cause none of this damage thankyou.

[@KrolKaz]

Meh, could be worse. It's not the whole river just this little area anyways. Cleaner than the Thames was in the 1200s Plus WHy would u want to kayak in the city when u could go to the beatoful outback instead??

[@xpandahangoverx]

@@KrolKaz You have a bad attitude its like you're saying oh don't mind that just think about the outback!

[@Nick-ce6lt]

@@Skaatje most don't. If you asked most people, including you, what happened to the world's 4th largest lake, you wouldn't know. Waste management and water conservation isn't sexy enough for millennials to care enough. Unless the world is about to overheat end because of evil racists, they just don't care because it isn't sensational enough to care or learn about.

[@petermarriott164]

That needs to go on every TV in every country we need more people like you in the world 🌎 good on ya mate 👍

[@colbymoore1992]

This was so easy to watch and truly enjoyable to see you trying to spread the word

[@cronaldopwns]

I cleaned up a lake near my last area, took a few months, bags and bags of trash. I was the only person was doing it too. And at the end, saw more wildlife enter the lake, you see the negative impact this stuff has and what happens when it's gone. Yet there are thousands that live in the area. A lot of impact can come from the actions of even a small uptake of individuals. However the new area I've moved to. It's an uphill battle. People don't care, dump rubbish routinely. The level of care to give an example is that they don't even bother picking up a piece of rubbish on their nature strip to dump in the bin they just wheeled out. This idea of maintaining this rubbish, minimising it, etc, needs to start early.

[@blackleague212]

@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ The joy that father got, was because his son grew up a trans person. Hes a lady now. You cannot stop the darkness. Jesus will not return. AMEN

[@crouchinggiraffehiddenllam7764]

Fight fire with fire sometimes

[@MonkeyJedi99]

Too true. The really bad patches Beau took us through look so insurmountable, but if each human 'upstream' had dumped two fewer items (For some, a minor change, for some would mean picking UP two things) the previous year, there might not have been any trash there. I live in the NE US, and I not only never dump trash out of proper containers, I pick things up when I can.

[@theoscout9205]

You sir, are a hero

[@kurbiskuchenliebhaber]

@@blackleague212 ur right bro he totally grew up not regretting mutilating his genitals and satan is just a quirky fun loving anti-hero who only wants the best for us - he totally doesnt hope our temptations destroy us or anything!! im so woke n smart compared to these silly goblins who believe in reelijun.

[@angelodimetrius5009]

I myself have lived near the cooks river, i know family that still do, friends, relatives, much of my childhood spent around this place. Yet, until today, I was completely oblivious to how sick this river is. We werent educated about it (keep in mind this is modern day too im only 17 boutta graduate high school) never on the news, never seen any articles on it. Its just truly sickening and I am glad to see you are helping turn this shit the right way round. By reading the other comments, it is clear you have inspired others to do the same with their own community as you have inspired me to do with my own cooks river. Keep up the good work man, keep inspiring others to follow in your lead

[@johnconlon9652]

Impressive English nowadays. Congratulations. You have english speaking teachers well above average; my teachers from the fifties and sixties in England, long dead presumably. They all had proper university degrees and "Standard" English has all but disappeared, replaced by u.s. slang. Oh tempore, Oh mores. Irish Tasmanian.

[@athena546]

I think if they "educated" you about every topic that is as sad as this one, you could spend years reading articles and only scratch the surface. Also he uses quotes within this short film from articles about the river. So they are out there.

[@KrolKaz]

I played on the river as a kid, we'd go swimming. it's really not that bad in most times.

[@thejackrabbithole-5311]

Mate, you have the most valuable commodity available. Time. You can’t buy it, nor store it. The future is up to you. Wish you all the best! 👍

[@Bellathebear777]

My bro & I go up to a popular spot. We' bring trash bags, & clean up the area we wanted to spend the day in, before we kicked back. We enjoyed it. I'd rather be the one cleaning it up, than throwing it down. You have a long life ahead of you. Remember, it goes fast. Each day is yours to do with, what you will. Make it a good one, young man. 🙏💕💪✌️🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶

[@morkryan8287]

22:57 Brooooo, talk about foreshadowing hahaha. Beau truly is a man of his word

[@luccorvus]

Whenever I am out for a walk and pass by some trash, I will pick it up and dispose of it/recycle it. It can sometimes feel foolish, considering the insurmountable amounts of rubbish littering our planet. But then I remind myself that I might prevent an animal from getting caught or choking on this specific piece of trash. That is always a great motivator.

[@christophergill2213]

In 1978 as a freshman in H.S., I typed (yes, typed) a report on the pollution I encountered in Trout Brook in Brockton, MA. And sent it to the Mayor. I could walk under the bridges on the trash and drag my canoe with me. Today, it isn’t perfect but it has improved. Keep up the good work.

[@PhilJonesIII]

We were measuring pollution in rivers in the industrial part of S Wales (UK) about the same time. Quite a few places devoid of vegetation because the pollution had killed it all. We were always careful to minimise contact with the water and there were cases of kids being hospitalised for chemical burns after playing in the water. There followed a massive clean-up and legislation with teeth. Those valleys are now verdant with people squabbling over fishing licenses. Still a long way to go in terms of education but, you wouldn't feel ashamed if someone asked you to act as a tour guide. Birds of prey, lichen on tree branches and plenty of life in the water.

[@ce7857]

Ppl who throw trash in nature should be sh*t on sight. Why should we live in the filth they create? Too many ppl on our small planet as it is.

[@bena8121]

Where the hell is brockton MA?

[@bena8121]

So, on an Australian video about a polluted river in Sydney you think that Australians and all people around the world watching this are going to know that MA is short for the state of Massachusetts? I was born in Bundaberg, QLD, does that mean anything to you? No.

[@r0br33r]

@@bena8121 "I was using the internet, and I seen this bloke come up and use an acronym on my dumbass, WTF I'm supposed to do? Google it? No." - You, a true blue aussie battler

[@uqox]

10:07 Was hard to watch. That was really tough. My main river is in the same condition and my city boasts some of the richest people in the world. Devastating to watch. This needs millions of views. We need to see what we're doing with plastics. Thank you for doing this. It is a real sacrifice for you to take this on.

[@couchphotography8861]

Get the rich folks on board, after all they make as much mess as anyone else. Maybe they look, but forget to see...

[@bayersbluebayoubioweapon8477]

What city are you in, if I may ask? This reminds me of some of the trash I’ve seen in Detroit

[@blackleague212]

@@bayersbluebayoubioweapon8477 meh, all rivers of this planet shall be destroyed. This is the future of man kind. in the future, humans will destroy the sun in order to leave this galaxy. So dont worry about some polluted river right now. Soon we will teach this planet how to make rivers of human souls, and use the souls to manifest photonic energy. You are still such a young planet.

[@bayersbluebayoubioweapon8477]

@@blackleague212 Ok Jesus freak

[@iqbalindaryono8984]

@@blackleague212 Oh Christ, I haven't seen edge on this scale in a while

[@achawkins2812]

Great delivery Beau! Really hitting home the terrible facts with this one. Your students are lucky to have you opening their eyes to life.

[@miissbaarkeer2547]

Thanks for sharing 1 of the 1000's & 1000's of problems we have in Australia. Awesome Video, great voice, video, and cleaning up in our rivers, oceans & land. Thank you

[@johnnyc.3261]

It’s crazy how much money our cities can run through without properly taking care of the actual place. Great video and outlook, much appreciated from the states.

[@richardkelly9156]

Am addicted to diet redbull. 😔 All those cans

[@haveaday1812]

Feel free to go to a third world country and come back with that same viewpoint. The problem with statements like that, and people like you, with mindsets like that, is the casual dismissal of how clean things are on the whole there. Environmentalists have a wonderful habit of not critically thinking nor seeing something from a different perspective.

[@johnnyc.3261]

@@haveaday1812 I lived in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia for over 3 years.

[@EddyTeetree]

It’s called “PROGRESS”👹

[@EddyTeetree]

@@haveaday1812 did I actually read the op?

[@TH-dg2mm]

I'm a recovering addict and I was told by a really amazing human being that the best way to recover is to look around at the world, see what needs doing and do that. A lot of people will look at this and think why is this crazy guy wading through trash in this filthy river, but for me, that feeling you get from doing things that truly need to be done is the only thing that makes my life feel full.

[@cookingandlive]

Good luck and thank you for telling your View👍

[@Theorimlig]

That's a fantastic mindset. Stick it out!

[@213tpg]

Very wise words and beautifully said. Finding purpose beyond ourselves is such a special thing. Best wishes in your recovery.

[@brad363]

Good you on Mate, inspiring words and good luck with your recovery!

[@leannasty]

Thanks for commenting man, appreciate the perspective. Stay strong.

[@coencraig2119]

This dudes a bloody legend

[@yogi4643]

Thank you so much for bringing awareness 🙏

[@nickbarlow328]

As somebody that has canoed the Cooks river on and off for over 30 years, it's wonderful to see somebody draw attention to it. A forgotten drain, that desperately needs some love.

[@jihan6914]

Something like this has been years or even decades overdue

[@RMJ1984]

Imagine what a forgotten drain like this could become, if it got cleaned up, concrete removed, the sides replanted and open it. It has the potential to become something beautiful, useful and pretty again.

[@colatf2]

@@RMJ1984 all the storm water runoff goes into the “river,” not to mention the sewage and industrial waste that still finds its way into the water to this very day

[@ce7857]

Ppl who throw trash in nature should be sh*t on sight. Why should we live in the filth they create? Too many ppl on our small planet as it is.

[@nickbarlow328]

@@RMJ1984 The number of people already enjoying this green corridor is quite high. Cleaning it up, removing the concrete and replanting would be a wonderful addition and create an amazing haven for wildlife in central Sydney.

[@gregorypotters3103]

Your storytelling is unparalleled, Beau. I find myself both energised and heartbroken when you share your perspective. I still use too many plastics.

[@BeauMiles]

Thanks, GP. It's what makes us tick mate- heartbreak and prospect. Yep. Gotta dig in with our buying ways I reckon. Me too.

[@furcipus]

Thank you for cleaning up..it's a great signal for others. THANK YOU! You are so great!

[@brianmcelroy1317]

This was the first video of yours that I have watched. I'm now inspired to seek out once wild areas in my community and see what I can do to clean them up. Thank you for allowing us to come along on your little adventure.

[@rogratofficial1536]

A video intended to educate on the pollution of a river became a life lesson on positivity for me mate. You radiate positive vibes with every word you utter. There’s so much to learn from that. Thank you for making this video!

[@jonahtolbert7643]

The perfect combo, Beau's winning personality and some documentary-quality editing and videography. This channel as well as The Backyard Adventurer have really inspired me to change my idea of adventure. After returning from a 4+ month long hike of the Appalachian Trail I became a little disheartened that I wouldn't ever get to experience such a life changing journey like it again. Maybe that's true but you have encouraged me to get creative with making micro adventures with the time that I do have in between "life". That philosophy is something everyone can implement I believe. Not a bad bonus that you are shedding light on some crappy river treatment or learning more about local history.

[@BeauMiles]

Thanks Jonah. Yeah, we cranked it up for this one with some Google/KZbin dollars to get eyes and ears on the gig. Jealous of the AT trip...its on my list. Goodonya mate.

[@aaronm.3581]

@@BeauMiles I know an expert of the Appalachian trail. A great person as well. You ever get around to the Appalachian Trail, and are so inclined, I could get you in touch with him. ✌

[@dustyc324]

@@BeauMiles If you travel to the states for an epic trail adventure, do the PCT instead. AT is a college kids field trip, very over used and won't be as rustic as the PCT or CDT. CDT is a rough ride, or maybe just a normal aussie summer day?

[@ce7857]

Ppl who throw trash in nature should be sh*t on sight. Why should we live in the filth they create? Too many ppl on our small planet as it is.

[@spirituallevelofbeing7308]

Love what you do brother I think you should be given the title Aussie of the year I'm glad I just found your channel one love and many more blessings

[@ieeshadavids]

This man deserves an award. Hope the NSW government sees this!!

[@antm64]

This is one of the most compelling videos on KZbin! That "bottleneck" section, with debris so deep that the water surface was no longer visible, was a reality slap in the face! What a visual lesson for all of us. I wondered what happened to all those full bags of plastic...and here you are at a recycling center...and there is so much outright trash in that river...a sad commentary on modern life. Thank you for posting this revealing video...much appreciated!

[@Imeyau03]

This is absolutely heartbreaking. I don't normally comment on videos but your work is incredible and thank you so much for bringing awareness and attention to the harsh realities of urbanisation and the effect it has on our immediate ecosystem. When you chuck rubbish away, you just expect it to disappear but understanding the damage this 'junk' causes is important in setting together a future where everyone is more conscious of the effects and we can all make works toward restoration. Really appreciate your effort and goal mate.

[@nigel900]

Well, Heartbreaking and Awareness are used frequently, but all those items didn’t come from one source, they came from people like 🫵🏻 and I…

[@PlantBasedFolk]

Wow I’ve driven over that river often in my life and never gave it a thought other than how underwhelming it looked. I appreciate you and your video, which has encouraged me to pick up crap left behind. Thank you for your work!!! I will certainly look at this river differently now. 🌎

[@williampallagi4395]

Thanks for that. I really appreciate the message in what you are doing. Keep it up!

[@SecondFoundation]

Beau, in upstate New York, there's a body of water called Onondaga Lake. It was one of the most heavily polluted lakes in the world (industrial pollution and sewage overflow), but over the last decade has been revitalized and is "safe to swim" now but the shorelines are restored, walking and biking paths, bridges, it's beautiful again. It's not fast but change can happen.

[@constancemiller3753]

Is that where the aluminum foil waste was dumped?

[@SoapSoapCrayon]

That gives me hope, unfortunately the National party is hellbent on obliterating our natural forests and rivers. Nothing will change in NSW until there's a change in government.

[@dustysgarden2254]

Beau, mate, you are Australians alternative adventure icon! Absolutely love your messages and your lust for life and the lives of other creatures and beings. Cudos to the camera team too!

[@r0br33r]

Cudos aye? Love the "real aussie m8" boomers online that collectively adopted this "I'm a fully grown adult but I still spell like I'm in primary school" attitude! True blue bloody battlers I say! Who's got time to be proficient in the only language they speak anyway!

[@ieeshadavids]

You are doing such a good thing for our waterways! On behalf of Sydney I want to say Thank you. Keep doing what you are doing ❤

[@JerryTip]

Imagine spending a week with Beau, doing what he does, feeling what he feels... I know I'd love to see someone else with him to get a different view on your experiences. You always tell a truly amazing story, almost makes me feel like I am there. But would love for you to "put someone through" what you "Do". Thanks for the videos and the smiles Beau and camera guy or gal!

[@taleandclawrock2606]

"Feeling feral is perhaps the most liberating space a human can dwell." Yes!😍 Love your work. Very poignant. I worked in conservation and clean up along the Darebin and Merri Creeks ( tributaries of the Yarra) in Melbourne, in 1991-93. Darebin was listed on the city plans as 'Drain 18'. It is incredible the difference it makes when these spaces are cleaned of rubbish and weeds, revegetated with indigenous vegetation, and paths and footbridges put in. Gorgeous bushland, breathing, living, wildlife-inhabited veins and arteries of our Earth, running for miles in the busiest of cities. An old man came to us and shook our hands fervently, with tears in his eyes, saying, " i used to fish in that creek, as a boy. You've brought it back'. Turtles, kingfishers, lizards, water rats, even platypus returned. Merri Creek now has a " Spirit Walk", with indigenous cultural signage along the way.

[@Bellathebear777]

That's uplifting. Thank you

[@NormanFinkelstein9863]

This legend knows what they're talking about. Darebin is an enchanted, community space full of promise and adventure. What an addition to our lives. Choices are everything.

[@r0br33r]

Good, good, clean up the mess your government corporations made, I'm sure they've learned their lesson by now! Right guys?

[@cjod33]

My mum and dad grew up on the banks of the Cook's River, there were Market gardens in Campsie then. He used to swim and catch Bream and other fish and bring them home for dinner. A mate of mines house backed into the upper parts of the river in the late eighties early nineties, (it was basically a concrete drain with bricked sides )the neighbours both nextdoor and on the other side would use it as a garbage disposal. Sad how people can treat nature and not think about the effects of what They do

[@r0br33r]

It's literally been going on for hundreds of years, and all you've done about it is blogpost online because you've been conditioned to be a useless consoomer

[@leokimvideo]

I'm not surprised at all and it's very connected to the South Western Sydney mentality of some who live there. The drain is just a place to dump rubbish is sadly for many people that's just the norm because thats what happened in their old homelands. I'm surprised the Local council in the area hasn't installed the metal grill bars that stop people from entering underground drain areas. In the part of Sydney where I live the pipes have been installed with bars to stop entry. I also see smart rubbish traps that can be accessed by clean up trucks to remove waste. But honestly this is clean Vs some of the waterways I have seen in other countries not far from Australia. Waterways that are black with pollution and ingesting the water is life threatening.

[@Oliverii]

its the spooderman

[@mwright38]

Cooks River is not in South West Sydney.

[@Pepsimaximo1]

As sad as it is to see the truth behind Cooks' River's pollution, it's great to see there are still forces of good out there like Beau, educating and inspiring people

[@andrewradford3953]

You've inspired me to go back to King John Creek near my farm 40km North of Brisbane with a few chaff bags. It's sadly lined with trees full of plastic for tens of km. I'll take my go pro along to share the experience this time as soon as summer arrives. Thankfully there's little sign of sewage.

[@kanecitizen]

Share your experience with us!

[@Bunny-ns5ni]

Yes! We want to see this!

[@seitanbeatsyourmeat666]

Do it, post it!!

[@KrolKaz]

You could fill a million bags and it still won't make a difference. About 400 people have any real power in Australia, and we have to put up with it until they decide the time is right to do something.

[@mikeoglen6848]

@@KrolKaz Are they the only ones chucking their plastic waste and other poisons into the river?

[@tclucke]

Some schools here in the United Sates requires students to provide a certain amount of community service hours to graduate. One of my service jobs was a river cleanup. We pulled so much junk out of the local city river. Hopefully students keep up the good work!

[@PaigeWeso]

It was a part of my college experience in Ohio

[@Vok250]

Here in Canada we've resorted to little resistance groups that document industrial dumping and report it. Doesn't do much in the grand scheme of things, but it's better than nothing. Recently we got the fish packaging plant charged for dumping lobster claw elastics down the drains.

[@AdamRasmussenAstronaut]

My favourite shot of this piece is the one of the UPS plane at the end. An excellent representation of our poor habits. It's a right kick in the guts seeing the sick river caused by our apathy and consumption and have that shot at the end of the journey. It seems absolutely fitting that this ends at the airport, looking at our marvels and potentially our demise. We're doomed and I'm afraid we don't really give a damn. Thanks for putting this together. Excellent work, Mitch and Beau. Good to see you.

[@1gerard47]

graffiti is a big clue to the mentality,sad,but as one says you learn from your parents.

[@r0br33r]

@@1gerard47 What do you mean? As in if you're human trash you spraypaint the art equivalent of garbage everywhere you can, or something else?

[@jeremythiry8313]

So genuine! So many content creators make videos for the sake of views, likes, and subscribers. Beau, your content inspires people to be a better version of themselves. Keep it up!

[@davidanalyst671]

his videos a year ago are 10 times better.

[@jeremythiry8313]

David, I wouldn’t say videos in the past better or worse. Beau is quirky and unique, his videos highlight this. No matter what topic or challenge he sets for himself, he makes it interesting and inspiring as he tells the story.

[@r0br33r]

@@jeremythiry8313 "muh inspiration" And yet you're here blogposting online instead of DOING SOMETHING. Go outside you poser

[@xaraxania]

I've never seen your channel before today but this was jackpot, thank you Beau, thanks for cleaning the river and making this film, I hope more take up the challenge x

[@amsterdam_budtender]

Even with a country with a return and earn scheme, there are 1 too many bottles and cans laying around, polluting the rivers and canals here. It is so sad seeing this is a worldwide problem. No matter what the government is trying and what we as individuals are trying, it's a never ending cycle. As long as we do what we should, it might get better, hopefully. I'm just not as optimistic as I used to be. I absolutely love these videos. It's a true reminder of keeping the earth clean and caring about it. Just clean up after yourselves and if possible around you as well.

[@thetalkingfly]

Beau- This was great. I think you are making a big difference in the world and you make me smile while you do it. Cheers, Steve aka The Talking Fly

[@blaketaranto6427]

Beau, this video in many ways was relatable. I’m from the US, specifically NJ and we have many sick rivers like the one you went through. I’ve found myself in a similar situation to you when you were just overwhelmed by trash in that one section, and I too tried to clean up. This may sound corny but I haven’t really met anyone, being a guy teenager, thst has really seemed to care, or even make the venture to those areas, they jsut kind of looked away and rationalized it internally, and that’s exactly the opposite of what you did. Not sure if you’ll even read this, but thanks for letting me know i wasn’t the only crazy boy to do something like that and try to alleviate it

[@TheReaper42069]

Where in NJ? Watchung here

[@ce7857]

Ppl who throw trash in nature should be sh*t on sight. Why should we live in the filth they create? Too many ppl on our small planet as it is.

[@HurricaneHusky]

I lived in the southern pourtion of The Pine Barrens in NJ (Mays Landing) and when i tell you the trash in the woods and arounf the egg harbor river was ridiculous i mean it. You ever want to really hate humans, explore the woods near Mizpah NJ or near The Funny Farm in mays landing. You could fill 3 landfils with the amount of dumping out there...

[@blaketaranto6427]

@@HurricaneHusky that’s exactly where I go to pick up trash and such, only more north near Lavalette where it’s absolutely horrible and crippling in the coastal marshes and in the forest like you said, it’s really a travesty in my opinion

[@blaketaranto6427]

@@TheReaper42069 some rivers in my town which are more north than watchung and closer to NY and then down south all over the bays, but mainly around the bay head and lavalette areas

[@sinkintosincs]

Instant follow, obsessed with your passion and childlike wonder you see the world through. Thank youuuu

[@PlanetJambon]

This is filmed and narrated like an actually tv show, it’s incredible editing and camera work

[@BeauMiles]

Thanks Planet. We worked our arses off on this one. Lots of drafts!

[@danielirvine7468]

I’m thankful KZbin algorithms sent this vid to me . Was amazing to see you’re storytelling and you’re teams camera work/ drone skills Thanks for what you are doing and I hope millions see this

[@quintinbentley418]

One of the things you often mention in your films is that once you pick up a piece of trash you feel a sense of ownership over it. How much of that horribly polluted section were you able to clean? Now that you’ve seen the awful sections of the river do you find yourself wanting to go back and clean more/organizing a river clean up/ contacting the people “in charge” of those type of cleanups? Love your videos, Beau! Just finished your book today. Read the last bit to my two month old son while he was a bit fussy after a nap. Did the trick!

[@compliantpleb4712]

If trash really did effect the environment we would have heard about it from the Government and the News, and plastics would have stopped being produced decades ago.

[@faraffel]

@@compliantpleb4712 It does. Once grinded to small pieces, animals eat it and gets eaten by you. So the microplastic-concentration in your body raises. You can read this up easily.

[@jake_3745]

@@compliantpleb4712 my brother in christ. Educate yourself. And even if you dont, just be aware that you gain nothing by throwing things into nature. Its not that much effort to throw things in the bin instead of on the floor

[@k_e_n_n_y_mccormick]

@@compliantpleb4712 what a stupid and ignorant comment.

[@kiradelong9698]

@@jake_3745 he’s obviously joking around

[@arthurpanopoulos8482]

Thanks for highlighting our backyard problem we all ignore as to hard to solve! Great footage.

[@JoeSmith-oh7zd]

I could genuinely watch anything Beau produces and stars in. I love the cinematography, positive impact he has on the planet along his journey, his unique challenges, and the brilliant, hilarious and inciteful commentary. I’m convinced, Beau is a genuinely awesome bloke. My favorite aspect of his filmmaking is how he leaves a hint or a shot of an item he will use in another video towards the end of each short film. Keep up the good work mate, this is all just awesome.

[@nomadicam]

8:45 "feeling feral is perhaps the most liberating space a human can dwell..." Yes, we the van dwellers understand this sentiment perfectly.

[@kynanmaher6794]

It’s amazing that my whole life I’ve seen only Sydney’s harbour to be “dirty”, but to see the real state of Sydney just makes me sad

[@dankyjoker]

it's all the chinese people who have moved there the last 10 years

[@r0br33r]

@@dankyjoker No, it's the population of stoned inbred convicts who've been here since their prison guards cocked-up conquering a people who lived in stick huts.

[@oneg4159]

@@dankyjoker just say ur racist and move on

[@gdawwg1125]

Sydney harbour is actually cleaner than its been in 100 years

[@charlethemagne5466]

@@dankyjoker you're a clown.

[@anaconda6016]

I love seeing others who choose to clean. There are ruins in my hometown after an bastion, and for some reason no one ever cleans there. So I do it, because I want it nice there. The first year it took me 15 hours, 85 kg of trash, glass and cigarette stumps up and down 82 steps of stairs. Once you've gotten the worst, keeping it tidy is easier. I'd come clean cook's river too, but I'm on the literal other side of the planet. Good work for bringing light to it, hoping this spurs someone to help you clean it

[@jamestheadvisor5052]

Thank you for this wonderful video about the state of Cooks River.

[@kjblundell]

Heartening to see there's a whole community of people like us out there, doing rubbish clean ups. There are times when reclearing regular spots or seeing large dumping spots where it can get so disheartening. LOVED when he found the super ball lol. we started out doing trash pick up when we were walking our dog everyday. The moment the bag gets put down for sorting at home, our staffy is right there wanting his trash treasure !. He loves super balls. Im a sculptor and a lot of my Assemblage works are made from trash we have found on our clean ups. Great work buddy !. can't wait to get through your video adventures now we have found them !.

[@viovenda8922]

Thank you for keeping your little corner of the world clean 🤍

[@listen2meokidoki264]

I hate rubbish clean-ups. I love rubbish stopping. I remember the world before plastic. Though there were still gloss paint and chemicals. The Colonial Sugar refinery left polluted land near Sydney Uni when it moved to Pyrmont. Then it left Pyrmont polluted.

[@bartsshorts]

i pick up litter in obscure places, event today, its got to be good karma.

[@daverow49]

Beau I want to thank you sincerely. I live close to the Cooks River and I am fully aware of how bad it really is. I have shared this video on my facebook page in the hope that more people will be aware. I hope it goes viral mate.

[@r0br33r]

Hell yeah boomer brother, facebook will make all the difference in the world! Everyone knows, only the most ACTIVE and HEALTHY people use facebook regularly! They'll be sure to get out & do their part when they're not busy on farmville or watching TV!

[@teamzou8780]

Hi Beau, algorithm brought me here and I noticed the name is somehow familiar! This is Vincent from Monash and I used to assist you with your field trip costing & stuff back in the Education days. I am still with the University and mainly supporting the Research Portfolios now. It's just fascinating to see our researchers combine Career & Interest and become an influencer. Great channel by the way you just brought things to a whole new level and please keep up the good work!

[@SeoirseLaffan]

Amazing work! Keep it up and thank you

[@Niek1001]

I stumbled across this video by accident and at first I was just watching it out of curiousity, didn't think much of it. But when time progressed I felt genuinly moved. Makes me even more aware of our impact on the envorinment and motivating me further to make the right choices in my own life. We need more guys like you in this world. Thank you for what you do and showing this to us all.

[@aherweck22]

7 minutes in and have watched every video you’ve posted Time to look up nature clean ups Used to do street cleanups as a child and teen Time to start helping even though the amount of trash is insurmountable Love your content Good on you mate !!!

[@tokarukora7272]

I did that too as a kid and as an adult. But there were people too coming to our schools talking about not throwing things away in the mountains. I think it works. Nature is much cleaner here than in other states.

[@eriklerougeuh5772]

Mentality in my country France, is that people are paid for clean up, so they feel right to throw everything everywhere, same goes along road, people throw cigarett, plastic, because they dont have jettison in their car. or they dont care...in addition people is agressive if you say thy it to them.....so what the point of pickup, or send kid pickup trash...none because you will pickless than 5%....i see it at school, where cleanup woman clean for kid, then in streets where cleaner clean for you, same goes with flat where guardian clean for you...specially in low income flat they can clean everyday whereas in center they dont need to clean,.... so the key to the problem isnt to pickup trash and do cleanup, that wont stop anyone to throw it, the key is education in public school, like they do in japan...they used to clean class everyweek at young age, so they learn to dont throw or dirty anything from the start becaus ethey have to clean themselve after..... and it work at adult age, so i dont do any cleanup, i should rather pressure on govt for make cleanup as education lesson.....repression work too, london have 4.5m tourist everywhere and center street are clean, because camera spot people who throw and you get fined...but in small cities no camera so its dirty.

[@kweenk5072]

@@eriklerougeuh5772 ok you can teach from the beginning not to throw trash and litter but that's not going to stop some ppl from doing it, there's always going to be someone that doesn't care or who is lazy and throws there trash on the ground, out the window because they don't want to leave it in their car and just throw it away when they get to a trash can, or someone who throw there cigarette butts out the window as they are driving or on the ground when they are done with it, so yes you do still need ppl to cleanup otherwise it would do no good for those who don't litter because you will still have pollution from those who do. Both are the key to keeping this planet clean.

[@sueq8862]

Beau, you are an awesome human being! Well done! I walk my Australian Shepard everyday and I take a large bag and pick up all the rubbish around our lake and streets. It makes you feel good to know your helping the environment.

[@vinnymchale3914]

This is an amazing documentary. Love your videos.

[@A.Mere.Creator]

The most beautiful part of the river at 8:47, a hidden corner overgrown with plants and different colored flowers, was followed directly by the worst part of the river at 11:09. That's so tragic, and surely every student of Sidney will see this now thanks to your film.

[@fredbloggs8362]

Don’t wish to rain on your parade but there’s a reasonable chance the pretty flower’s are all from environmental scrambler weeds. Happy to be corrected as I’m not familiar with NSW plants.

[@AdamRouse999]

All the yellow flowers were from an incredibly invasive species of plant called Senna Pendula var. Glabrata. Sydneys waterways are infested like you wouldn't believe with invasive weeds.