Episode 3

John and Tim have begun to appreciate they are travelling down one of the world's longest river systems. Unfortunately it has one of the lowest flows. On the Darling itself the two adventurers have been hopping from water hole to water hole in the Bismarck. The Bismarck navigates through a slimy, weedy part of the river that's choking on blue green algae. The outbreaks of the algae have been so toxic, they've killed sheep that have come to drink the river's water. Looks like the Bismarck could be its next victim. After 2,000 kilometres and nearly four weeks on the river, John and Tim approach Wentworth in south west NSW, where the Darling meets the Murray. A river with lots of water is a novelty for the Bismarck. John and Tim decide to haul out the Bismarck and travel by road from Swan Hill to Albury, then up into the Snowy and the beginnings of the mighty Murray. After the dry and dusty Darling, suddenly there's lush, green grass and water. It's like another country. It's where Banjo Paterson met Jack Riley - the real man from Snowy River. But where there's more water, there's more people and more boats, and of course, more idiots. The Bismarck is unceremoniously swamped by jet skis, inspiring John to propose the creation of a Water Party that would ban all jet skis! After trying their hand at traditional Aboriginal spear throwing, John and Tim want to get a handle on the unwelcome guests that have infested the Murray - carp. Carp are the rabbits of the rivers and are wiping out the native fish. "Too many carp. Not enough cod. Too much weed. Not enough water. It's a grim tale", says John.