Rafting the most polluted river in Australia

BAD RIVER: Deep within a midlife adventure crisis, I find myself in Tasmania, about to descend a sickly orange, biologically dead river the locals call pumpkin soup. Seeking out places that aren't always the prettiest, wildest or biggest, the Queen River, after 100 years of runoff from a mine, is considered the most polluted river in Australia.
For two days I had a hard time reconciling between the tremendous damage humanity is capable of, and how that same energy and desire must be used to fix this very big problem. That, and the fact there were times on the river, deep within the wonders of Tasmania’s landscape, I had to remind myself I was floating on water that can’t support life.
--
Produced and Directed by
BEAU MILES
Produced and Edited by
MITCH DRUMMOND
Produced
JODI EVANS
Additional camera
MITCH DRUMMOND
BRETT CAMPBELL
CHRIS ORD
BEAU MILES
Final Sound Mix
JAMES DOBSON
Maps
BRETT CAMPBELL
Science by EnviroDNA
www.envirodna.com
Supported by Screen Australia
And TH-cam through the
Skip Ahead initiative
--
Click here for more Beauisms - linktr.ee/beauisms

[@BeauMiles]

Hi everyone. Goodonya for watching!

[@ft.nufonia]

Imagine when this guy discovers china

[@Chasbarrell]

I think this could be Beau's best video yet - the production is really impressive, and the message even more so.

[@lordya9813]

All that profit and no one is responsible!?

[@ryanmanes8985]

Wow, according to Screen Australia, Beau was awarded the Skip Ahead grant in 2020 to make this film. Shows you how much effort goes into making these amazing and inspiring videos. Goodonya!

[@georgewright7252]

So glad you did this video. As a Tasmanian born and bred, this is sadly all too common. Between the mining leases and the logging in some of the most diverse and special wilderness in the world, it's a real head scratcher. What ARE we doing? Really.

[@carokat1111]

As a proud Tasmanian it breaks my heart to see what we've done to the mighty Queen River. Thank you for your excellent video.

[@oxdares]

you made multiple thousands of people aware of current natural atrocities by showing it to them through the eyes of your lens and your wonderful storytelling. This is more than any of the creators are doing these days, and I am so grateful I have found a channel that can share his own experiences in a fashion that makes me aware of it and makes me thinker about these issues through my own eyes. Thank you so much Beau for your wonderful channel

[@bettsy891]

Horrifying as a Tasmanian. But beautiful as a viewer. How you manage to merge those two things into one video is incredible. Thank you Beau.

[@Thunderpuddle]

This is such a great and important video. Rivers are polluted across the world, these are the lifeblood of the water system and we throw garbage and waste into them.

[@topropenoptop]

As someone who’s ancestors have worked in copper mines and many other destructive industries, I appreciate your ability to tell this story without vilifying those who were just doing their job to get by. I think your way of telling these stories makes it easier to accept that as humans we screw up and need to change.

[@s10m0t10n]

You're never 'just' a story-teller, Beau. You're a consummate story-teller who lives the story first, then opens the eyes of all who stop to hear you tell it.

[@OhNoBohNo]

"Everyone should witness when things go wrong"

[@elliotw5918]

As someone who's done a loft of rafting and kayaking in west Virginia, I have seen runoff like this from the mines. Poisons the rivers and destroys the life that surrounds it. Great video my friend. Great video.

[@omniscientgrunk]

Hi from Michigan is the United States. I live a half mile from a chrome EPA superfund site( our well water has been tested and is supposedly safe). I am nearly 64 years and have long regarded our environment as the most important thing in my and our lives. I enjoyed your paddle trip and look forward to more from you. Your words chosen are beautiful and inspiring. I hope some day they can clean up the river in Tasmania. Peace.

[@robertbrighton9669]

Stunning film Beau. Beautifully anger inducing.

[@Em_Sparkles]

When I was a kid in the 80s I would spend my summers in Queenstown with my grandparents. Back then the river was a dark grey/green sludge colour with a glistening oil appearance. With an odour to it that can't quite be explained. I can still hear Nan telling us not to go near the Queen River, it is not somewhere to play.

[@ericpaulgoldie]

Thank you. Thank you and your amazing team, this is one of the best local productions I've viewed in quite some time. The pre-production and planning paid off big time and the entire team should be extremely proud. I encourage everyone to like, leave a comment, subscribe and reshare this video. Tell your friends and family.

[@priscillah.3418]

Beautiful filmography, connective storytelling, effective visual communication through the graphics, personal touches and humour, and a realistic perspective that doesn't pretend mining is not needed. These are among the best conservation documentaries being made in the 2020s. Good on ya Beau.

[@jacksonmurphy8627]

Mate, what a great storyteller you are. As a Tasmanian myself, I never realised how polluted that water way was. I'm in total agreement that something needs to be done to save it.