Residents along the Darling River are relying on planes, helicopters and boats to get their food, supplies and mail after once-in-a-decade floods.
Some residents have been cut off by the water for more than a month after more than two billion litres of water blanketed properties near Tilpa in far western New South Wales.
The flooding event was caused by heavy rain in southern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales late last year.
Geoff "Dingo" Davies and his wife Fiona Lander are two of those cut off.
"It's been probably a month all up that we've been boating … we just haven't been able to go anywhere other than by boat by house," Ms Lander said.
Mr Davies grew up on the river at Marra Station, and his family have been involved with the property for more than 100 years.
The journey to town involves travelling downstream in a tinny to reach their car before driving another 100 kilometres along dirt roads to Wilcannia or even further to Cobar.
"It's two hours a day in a boat to get out and back," Mr Davies said.
He says he doesn't mind the unusual commute to do the shopping — unless of course the boat springs a leak.
Wildlife returns
While the extra time spent navigating swollen paddocks is a moderate inconvenience, the water has brought wildlife back to the region.
Dozens of hawks, black swans and rare black cockatoos are enjoying the water's return.
Mr Davies even spotted a scorpion at Marra Station for the first time.
"It's everything really. It brings you back, it makes you remember why you enjoy being out here."
It's a stark contrast from as recently as 2019 when the Darling River ran dry near Tilpa.
"I used to exercise my horses on the bed of the river, like that was my sand yard … and I used to give them exercise up and down the river banks because, you know, it was good for them," Ms Lander said.
For the couple, the water will soak into the earth and provide enough moisture and generate enough feed for their 15,000 head of livestock for the foreseeable future.
"Green grass for a long time, and if we chose to we could be farming it, but we'll have a lot of sub-soil moisture there for a long, long time ... maybe 18 months," Ms Lander said.
SES delivering supplies
For those without a means of transport, like a boat or plane, the State Emergency Service (SES) are delivering food and mail.
"There was a total close to 200, on average there were roughly eight to 10 people per five-day cycle since August, September last year," SES deputy zone commander Mark Coulter said.
The tiny Indigenous community located downriver is also experiencing flooding.
SES volunteers are in place and will be monitoring the situation there for at least the next two weeks.
Central Darling Shire's general manager Greg Hill said the Victory Park Caravan Park, which has been closed since late January, "will remain closed until the water resides and the ground dries out".
Despite the floodwaters dropping, there's a renewed sense of optimism from residents who live on the Darling.
While aware the river will run dry once again, it re-affirms to many the beauty of the region following more than a decade of trying times.
