Matti is on lead to cross Swan View Terrace, the busy road that separates De Lacy reserve from the Swan. We approach the river through a car park and BBQ area. A paved path leads down to a picturesque jetty, but we ignore that and take the footpath along the bank.

To our left, the bank is eroded in places leaving a steep drop to sandy beaches. Those who fish them do so at their peril. The view across the river looks out on to wild dense bush and bleached, twisted timber.