A considerable time was spent on last minute checks but finally the expedition was underway at 12.28 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
 

After a dash down the rocky-bottomed Mole River the boat crews sped out into a flood swollen Dumaresq River (headwaters of the Darling River).

 

The high banks allowed only occasional glimpses of cleared farming land.  Many irrigation pumps were seen.  Tobacco is one of the major crops of the region and many drying sheds were seen.

 

It was not intended that the bus follow the boats, merely move from camp to camp.  The 4WD Escort would refuel the boats and Rover would attempt to ascertain suitable routes for the Expedition.  With this in mind the bus crew headed towards Sunnybrook, nine kilometres out of Yelarbon.

 

On the water the Bonshaw Weir provided anxious moments when Kim and Markís boat filled with water and ìturned turtleî at the bottom of the weir while Mark filmed the other boats jumping it.

 

Mark was caught in the backswirl of the water rushing over the weir and was unable to break free.  Kim made numerous attempts to push the nose of the submerged boat in towards him so he would have something to grasp but all to no avail.  After being sucked under four times (he would not let go of his movie camera) he was finally able to push off the wall and propel himself into calmer water.

 

The rest of the boat crews had driven to the south bank to meet Tony in Rover and were unaware that the river had very nearly claimed Markís life ñ a situation  that Mark and Kim had difficulty comprehending and even more difficulty reconciling, given the near tragedy.  However, life, and the Expedition, goes on.

 

It took some time to dry out and re-start Kimís motor before the Expedition could continue.

 

Meanwhile the crews took the opportunity to replenish personal energy levels (have a snack) and reflect on their good fortune to find such agreeable water levels.

 

An aluminium canoe that had been found farther upriver was offloaded to Rover, as were the second fuel tanks and lunch boxes.  All other unnecessary weight was removed from the boats in an effort to coax more speed from them.  Rover departed full to the roof lining.

 

The weather had been hot and humid all day.  The crew in the bus arrived at Yelarbon and a few kilometres out of the town found their way blocked by the flooded Mackie Creek.  Bob unloaded the Yamaha motorbike, brought for just such an occasion, and headed off towards Sunnybrook to attempt contact with the boat crews ñ not realising that they would not be arriving.  After a marathon effort ñ all to no avail ñ he returned to the bus where Ted was waiting.