This summarizes the amount of trade in tea, coffee, sugar and beer, wine and spirits flowing into and out of South Australia along the river between 1859 and 1863: over £287,000 in exports and £317,000 in imports.

Eventually the governments of New South Wales and Victoria realised the quantity of goods that were flowing down the Murrumbidgee, Darling and Murray Rivers into South Australia. A treaty was signed between the three colonies for the equitable distribution of tariffs; customs houses were established at a number of points along the rivers. Disagreements continued over the decades and were only finally resolved with Federation, and the abolition of internal customs by the new Commonwealth government in 1903.

At the peak of the paddle steamer era on the rivers there were between 200-300 boats operating. Trade flourished: wool was the mainstay of the river trade, but wheat, flour and general stores were regular goods. After the irrigation colonies were established fresh and dried fruit were regularly shipped along the river.

Day, David Smugglers and sailors: the customs history of Australia 1788-1901. Canberra: AGPS Press, c1992

Day, David, Contraband & controversy: the customs history of Australia from 1901 Canberra AGPS Press, c1996

Parsons, Ronald Ships of the inland rivers: an outline history and details of all known paddle ships, barges and other vessels trading on the Murray-Darling system Ridgehaven, S. Aust.: Gould Books, 1990

Painter, Gwenda A different river: river trade and development along the Murray Valley network South Melbourne: Hyland House, 1993

SA Memory: Wooden Walls and Iron Sides: Riverine shipping.

Ukee barge being towed by P S Renmark 

River steamer Waikerie