It’s been a mammoth move that’s captivated many along its journey. Over the weekend, the Pride of the Murray made it to her new home.
The historic paddlewheeler left Moama on June 7 and was purchased by Queensland grazier and tourism entrepreneur, Richard Kinnon of the Longreach-based tourism company Outback Pioneers. He plans to restore it over coming months.
Freightlancer co-ordinated the logistics of the move, with a 700hp Volvo FH16 used to tow the paddlewheeler, atop a 26-metre long, 8.7-metre wide gooseneck float trailer built by Drake, that’s rated at 192 tonne.
It crossed the Queensland border on Friday and made the slow and steady journey into Longreach.
As it arrived at Thomson River, Kinnon said, “There’s 60-80 tonne sitting there on that trailer, 154 wheels and many a corners between here and Echuca, many obstacles, but I must say the most inspiring thing of the whole trip has been the outback communities, the outback people welcoming us into their communities and waving us goodbye out of them.
“The following we’ve had and the support we’ve had has been absolutely amazing, so thank you to everyone. We’re here. She’s backing into the Thomson River. What a feat.”
Watch below as the Pride of the Murray backs into her new home.