MURRAY RIVER FLOOD by AIRCRAFT ep 1, Flood waters spread more than expected, water is still rising!

Flight along the Murray River in flood 10th December. We flew over Swan Reach, Waikerie, Overland Corner, Kingston, Lake Bonney, Berri, Loxton, Punyelroo, Wongulla and Walker Flat. It’s was amazing to see how much water is spreading across the landscape and the river hasn’t peaked yet. Ofcourse a lot of peoples homes, holiday shacks and businesses are getting damaged, which is making life hard for many right now.

[@andrewgadsden273]

Fantastic views thanks for sharing with us

[@CARambolagen]

A kid so chilled it falls asleep during a single engine light aircraft flight 😊

[@nolasmith7687]

She obviously trusts totally in her dad.😊

[@brucemunday5755]

Thanks for that. As you say: 'Once in a lifetime"

[@LWJCarroll]

Amazing to see from over here in NZ. Hopefully we should see some science docos later around the marine life blooming? Etc, I guess the flood spreads fresh silt etc around there. Depending on the rivers age old routine…? Laurie N Z

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Yeah it will be interesting to see what happens next year. We loved seeing New Zealand how the landscape was still alive, glaciers moving rocks down valleys, steam coming out the ground, landslides, hot springs, avalanches, earthquakes (not that we experienced one). Unfortunately people often get caught up in these events but beyond that it’s amazing to see landscapes changing naturally. I guess that’s what we are seeing with the flooding in Australia at the moment. Thanks for commenting

[@martincookson2563]

thank you very much best look overall I would love to see a bit further upstream Berri Lyrup Renmark to the Border great video

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks for the appreciation, will have to plan a flight Berri to the boarder

[@mauri7306]

In all her glory about time ❤

[@franceslock1662]

At last, adequate water to SA down the Murray. Eastern states don’t want to deplete our water anymore. How long will it last?

[@davidmuirhead5796]

Well done Mike. Just loved the commentary and professionalism of your two videos. 10/10.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks mate, I’ve just posted number 3 and currently editing number 4.

[@Woodeneyejust]

Good on you dad.

[@kayenash5481]

Lucky girl.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

She sure is, we remind our kids regularly to appreciate their life

[@ohlordy2042]

The redgum forests along the river will never look better than they will in 6 months. What a great regeneration of the environment this flood will be.

[@timdunn2387]

Thanks mate.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

No worries thanks for watching and appreciating

[@co2588]

Thanks for posting. I hope it's all clear by Jan...don't think the caravan will do too well crossing a flooded Murray🤣

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks, caravan might become a house boat.

[@duncanwallace7760]

Very interesting video, thanks!

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks mate

[@colleen9542]

Thankyou Mike this is my homei Murray River in Loxton and the riverpand

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

So much water north of Loxton, I wonder if this summer it will feel cooler as hot northerlies blow across the water like an evaporative air con

[@lindarushton6502]

Thank you. Good seeing where I'm from. So different from this remote wet tropics.. I hope the brown turns green.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks

[@gaibarrett752]

Noticed your co-pilot taking a nap..ha ha ha!!

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Yeah it was smooth and relaxing, the white noise of the engine humming away at 5000rpm

[@Green_House]

W A K E U P ! ! ! 😴☺️

[@lzb86404]

May I know what device you used for the photos and videos? I've got a gopro but quality is no where near these

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Free hand photo and video iPhone 13 Pro. Fixed cameras GoPro 10. Exported video to KZbin in 4K.

[@jeancaust9762]

Jean Caust Thank you for taking time to show people the devastation of the Murray floods, well done. It is sad to see the destruction the flood is doing to people along the river. I remember the 1974 flood, my in-laws had a shack right on the river the water went into the first level of the shack. There is one good thing that happens it flushes the river out. I lived at Goolwa at the Murray mouth and it was dredged for years now they have taken that away and the water is roaring down there. We had one year where water was so low you could walk half way across the river right in the town.This will be great for the Koorong which is huge so much bird life. I wish I could be there right now to see the mouth open up. I have relatives down there who keep me informed. Water can bring devastation in one way but brings life in another that's how nature works.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks for your comment. It’s great when people show appreciation for the videos. These river flights aren’t trying to be a cinematic work of art(not that any of mine are) but more a survey showing the extent of the flooding for the length of river I fly. And showing these locations from the air that most people don’t get the chance to see.

[@fionamcwilliam8703]

Great shots of just how much water there is! Hate to think how long it will take to drain what's still coming your way!

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

It amazing to see. Thanks. I think it’s all a bit of a guess at the moment, it’s not like it’s a yearly/seasonal event. I still can’t get over how much water it takes to raise it this high for so long even with all the gates open out to sea

[@jamiechippett1566]

Great work! What type of plane are you flying and the motor size? Cheers! Looking soon in due course to make first a mock up of a half scale hawker sea fury. I know there's flight school near around Murray bridge.first will buy ultralight and get my hours up. thanks for the encouragement. Gets me excited seeing this vid! Keep up the good work bud! 👍🇦🇺🤠

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks mate, Rans S6S, Rotax 912 80hp, (1200cc I think) with a constant speed prop. Are you going to end up making a flying Hawker Sea Fury that would be cool. Yeah Murray Bridge has a few flying schools. Thanks for commenting

[@jamiechippett1566]

@@SKYHILLMIKE yea for sure only amateur me and mate been talking about for years! Soon getting back carport extended then will get tressels and start making wooden box frame construction. Designing own blueprint plans as very hard to come by and more the challenge! By making a mock up we can get experienced aviation experts to give advice and also get CASA approvals on blueprints! That's why we want to build mock up first (ie won't fly) when completed mockup will donate to council,museum, RAAF front gate exposition, like Spitfires and hurricanes in u.k high school whatever! I'm 53 and have soon time on my hands so to speak.didnt realise you had small Rotax! Impressive.

[@pam2245]

Thank you…. Being a local of the in one of these areas there is a lot of air traffic at the moment, your video was respectful in its recording of such an amazing natural water course doing its thing for the draining off from the heavy rains experience by others. Such beautiful shots of the river in its full glory especially the lengths you covered down to the mouth. Absolutely enjoyed your journey, THANK YOU for sharing this with us. 😊 💯

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks heaps for your appreciation and comment. Definitely drives me to film more and share more. These river flights I feel like it’s a must see for people. I had no idea what the extent of the impact was until my first flight over the flooded river. This is amazing to see as it’s possibly a once in a life time event but also impacting so many as well. Its amazing the amount of water that is coming into the system to cause the level of flooding and amount of water flowing out to sea. We drove along Goolwa beach yesterday to see the Mouth from the ground. It’s as wide as I’ve seen it in 20 years. It’s cut away sundunes that has grasses growing on it that has been there as long as I can remember.

[@pam2245]

@@SKYHILLMIKE oh wow to see the mouth open would be an amazing experience in itself. Some of those flood plains in the lower section have or are filling now. Yes your so right, a once in a life time event, please keep sharing your sights, such a great record of a incredible time.

[@MM_in_Havasu]

At least Oz is finally getting some much-needed ground water, not all at once though!

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

Doesn't get to be "ground water" until it covers enough ground and for long enough to soak in. ;-)

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Yes we are getting a lot of water this year. Better than having bush fires, Atleast there’s plenty of time generally to get out the way of the flood waters

[@videosyncrisy]

Sensational video. Thanks !

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Glad you liked it!

[@duncan649]

Good job dad didn't nod off!

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Hahaha, flying wakes me up for some reason.

[@Stubz1984]

No way that was you I saw you up in the sky

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

That’s cool you saw us last week

[@JW-pf5qy]

Wow. Thanks for sharing that perspective. Terrific video. (Nice to see you and Noddy having some quality time.)

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Was an awesome flight to see a once in a life time event but at the same time it must be tough for those effected.

[@nzmeateater]

Thats a big puddle.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Sure is especially for such a dry part of the world

[@joyleenpoortier7496]

That was great and I loved your daughter falling asleep a relaxing flight for all. Stay safe. ❤

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks, it was her longest flight in the plane. Normally she just does short ones with me, but we had a mission that day and it was a good test for her to see if she can do an overnight camping flight with me. Looks like she will be fine.

[@fredfred4086]

Super awesome video! I've watched a few videos of the floods - this one gives the best overall view. I went through Mannum a couple of months ago, it would be interesting to see what that's like. Will you be doing any more videos?🙂

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks, yes I will do more, hopefully this weekend I will get a chance to fly the river and film. I’m planning to include Mannum in the next video.

[@peboblank437]

Thanks for this great video - it saved me a lot of driving to go & try to see the floods myself! Pity for the riverside dwellers - the worst is yet to come..

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks Pebo, yeah we shopped at Magnum Ski store a week ago, they were closing a day later as the levy bank was getting built up the main street and they were expecting at least 1m of water through their shop. It's daunting seeing the levy banks before the water comes wondering how much water is expected, they are over 2m high at Mannum riverside.

[@peboblank437]

@@SKYHILLMIKE I stayed ina cabin at Mannum caravan park last Easter. I guess it will be going under water by Xmas?.. 😞

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

@@peboblank437 I think the ones closest to the water have been relocated

[@peboblank437]

@@SKYHILLMIKE Btw, I didn't know u were also a geologist! 🙂

[@chasnokes8929]

The best footage yet of the flood event, but it would have been even better if you could have included the section from Berri to the border and better still to Wentworth it would have given an even better perspective on the magnitude of the water to come. Both sections would be a must have for people with interest in the river, as well as for history in our library’s and schools. Fantastic job Thank you for bringing that to us who can’t get there to see it ourselves. Dare I say look forward to stage 2 soon while the peak is still coming from Wentworth !! 10/10 Thankyou

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks, great comment. It was my daughter’s longest flight as it was. However I agree with you. Sunday I flew Wongulla/Walker Flat to Murray Mouth Hindmarsh Island and back. I’m currently editing all the film and pics. I recon I should do what your saying and get to the border as a minimum and follow river back. Like you said it would good a good perspective of what’s to come. It was impressive to see the water flowing out to sea atleast 10km. The contrast of the Murray water to sea water was spectacular

[@rayfletcher3683]

@@SKYHILLMIKE Great job an vid and I like the way you hold the stick. Good pilot form. Nice plane by the way. ❤🇨🇦

[@nicholasbedford978]

Thanks , great footage.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dougsmith2954]

Was Jr asleep? :~)

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Had a little snooze in the middle of the flight.

[@CatherineScarborough]

Thank you for taking us on this journey with you both, greatly appreciated, what a spectacular sight. Keep shining! ✝️💖🕊️

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks, I’m currently editing the next one, 8 days later

[@AmyOutdoors]

This is brilliant! Love your style in this video, I'll have to check out more of your stuff. Thanks for sharing the view from a plane, it's so different to see it from so high!

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks for appreciating. This weekend I hope to fly the river again, might cover so different spots and keep working on improving the filming.

[@ingridmatschkephotography]

Interesting, thanks. Enjoyed the commentary. Gives you so much better perspective from the air than the ground, particularly if you aren't familiar with the locations because you can see where the river normally goes and where it's flooded.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks, I don’t like the sound of my own voice but I believe it’s the commentary that really adds to video. I plan on flying tomorrow to film some more. Thanks for the comment

[@SharonSmith-sb6xx]

Thanks for the bird's eye view Mike! Brought back my childhood memories of flying with my Dad in his Tigermoth above the Murray. Lovely to see father/daughter time! I'd be keen to see Scrubby Flat, just down from Walkers Flat...my family had a shack there.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Scrubby flat should be in my next video I filmed on Sunday, and flat out editing. I filmed Wongulla/ Walker Flat to Murray Mouth. Was amazing to see the expanse of Murry Water flowing out to sea. Flying over the Murray with your Dad in a tiger moth would be awesome. We would love a Tiger moth. After we got to the Murray mouth we landed at Hindmarsh Island where a guy restores Tigermoths. Was awesome he showed us his first one he restored and is 7th fully restored but yet to be covered in fabric.

[@nolasmith7687]

@@SKYHILLMIKE wow. Did you do an interview with the Tiger Moth man? That would definitely be worth seeing. I just love flying…any excuse to jump in a plane! Must be wonderful to be able to utilise one on your farm..easy peasy for round up time.

[@SharonSmith-sb6xx]

@@SKYHILLMIKE Thanks Mike, I'm really interested to see your next video and we appreciate your efforts to share it with us. My Dad is almost 80 yo old now. He bought his first Tigermoth in the late 1960's from a farmer in Wedderburn, Victoria. It had plenty of knocks and an old tomato crate for a seat! He restored it out at Parafield and used it for beach/shark patrols along Adelaide's southern beaches and even took up parachutists at Lower Light. Next time I'm in Adelaide I'd love to take my Dad to Hindmarsh Island! Flying brings so much joy!

[@elisekellett2378]

Really interesting video. So much water! I used to fly microlights out of Strathalbyn and have never seen so much water. Have seen the river really low and dry. Amazing. Looked like a nice day for a fly.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks. Yeah I use to fly micro lights out of strath too, also hang glided from 2002 to 2019. Yeah about 10 - 15 years ago I remember the lakes were quite low at Milang Goolwa. Was great day for a fly we took off around 0900 but a light shower came through and some overcast earlier which helped keep it smooth considering it ended up over 30 degrees.

[@kayenash5481]

Thank you that's fabulous. Those people that have to have a water view, they are going to have fun getting all that clean.

[@gaibarrett752]

Thank u for refreshing my memories..lived n played Golf n Bowls in the Riverland..Barmera for about 20 years. Shared a couple of Blocks too.. Loved our time there n had a great time t n made some great friends. I pray the floods will not do too much damage for the growers etc. Thank u for sharing your video with us..great pics. God bless n Merry Christmas n all the best for 2023..

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Glad you enjoyed it and brought back some good memories.

[@erichetherington9899]

Very nice thank you! :)

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thankyou

[@navaho5430]

Thats why she's called the Mighty Murray what height were you at cheers from Moruya.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

3500ft. Yes all the rivers that feed it makes it impressive that we can have such a big river in such a dry part of the country. I think we take for granted the general stability of the river levels with the locks and Hume dam etc that when the system is flooded it’s quite a surprise. Thanks, we love camping on the Congo Creek near Moruya, nice part of the world where you are.

[@navaho5430]

Hey you could fly your plane to Moruya your right this area is beautiful but so is the rest of OZ Cheers

[@nolasmith7687]

Hi Navaho. Greetings from Merimbula area.

[@michaelhare9608]

Great footage and excellent commentary. Thanks very much for posting!

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks mate, I’ll film again this weekend

[@chriskirby878]

Fabulous video, thanks Mike for showing us. Great commentary and loved the chat between you and your daughter!

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks, it’s a good way of adding commentary to videos. Flew with my son yesterday and had a good chat while we flew.

[@vikkietaylor4210]

All I can say is Wow. My hometown Swan Reach and now currently living in Berri, great to see all parts of the River from above. Great commentary too 👍❤️ safe travels 👍

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks, my next video out soon will have more commentary. Was debating how much aviation commentary I should add to these river flood videos

[@ralfmatters448]

Great Video, I flew up the week before you and it wasn't as flooded. I must get up in the next week. I used to get my grandson navigating on the ipad to keep him awake, we got to some pretty funny places where we were supposed to land according to his calculations, we'd circle to look for a strip then head off to where I knew where we were going...

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks, I’m going to fly the river this weekend again. Great idea, Kids love being involved, I should do a flight where they choose where we fly, some how I think we might run out of fuel….

[@veronicasigley731]

Thanks great information about just how bad the flooding is and great presentation

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks for your comment.

[@darylephillips6778]

What a magic part of the world Thankyou for taking time to show us this great event

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks for the appreciation, I’ll try do another film this weekend to show how the situation is unfolding

[@jimleane7578]

Wow. Hard to get your head around just how much water. Aerial view puts it in perspective. Thanks for sharing. Tailem bend.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks, yeah I was surprised how many houses are in the water around Swan Reach and Punyelroo. I guess I don’t follow news on TV etc but they use have a pretty narrow focus. I will cover some more area this weekend hopefully. Might even head towards Tailem Bend.

[@jimleane7578]

@@SKYHILLMIKE not expecting peak down here until Jan 5th. Be sure to tilt your wing on flyover.

[@ericcook4179]

Thanks for the great video, the mighty Murray is in full display of it's awesome life giving might.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Sure is impressive what it’s capable of.

[@culinarytourismtraveller]

Thank you so much for sharing birds eye view of raging mighty Murray River and your video gives a better prospective of damage. Hard to imagine the volume of water and thanks for history lesson on inland Lake which I never knew about much appreciated

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks. The inland sea i first herd about when I was at Morgan Museum they have a display explaining the in land sea and thats partly what shaped the cliffs as the water flowed out.

[@culinarytourismtraveller]

@SKYHILL MIKE appreciate your time to reply and I will do some more research with the information shared. Festive season greetings to you and family from The Kingdom of Thailand 🇹🇭 were I live

[@Vivianblue.]

Thankyou for a great view of such a monumental event. Looking forward to seeing the lower parts of the Mighty Murray in all her terrifying glory.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks, yeah should be able to get up again this weekend and film more.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks, I’ll get up again this weekend and film

[@michaelcreek4035]

What a great video, thank you. And I loved the attentive copilot

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

It’s good for me to have someone to talk to and keep an eye on me. My son rates my pre flight inspection and checklists.

[@michaelcreek4035]

A second set of eyes is always handy. We recently flew over the Murray with a fuel stop at Renmark on our way from Nhill to Wilpena. The floods hadn’t arrived at that time so you’re video was excellent to see what it looks like now

[@markrobinson6479]

Great video. thanks for the air tour.

[@SKYHILLMIKE]

Thanks mate, I like it, “air tour”