Walks in Little Desert National Park

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Walks in Little Desert National Park

Little Desert National Park

The park has a number of marked, signposted walks, ranging from 30 minutes to three days duration.

These are in the eastern block of the park, and are accessible by 2WD vehicles.

Self guided nature walks

Stringybark Walk (30min - 1 hour)

Located on the Harrow - Nhill Road, this short walk show cases the diversity of Little Desert. A brochure at the start of the walk will guide you.

Keith Hateley Nature Walk (30min)

Starts at the Sanctuary Picnic Ground, 10km south of Kiata. See the Keith Hateley Nature Walk fact sheet (PDF), which explains the abundant plant and bird life in this area, including the rarely sighted Malleefowl.

Pomponderoo Hill Nature Walk (30min)

This walk is on the park’s northern boundary, 4km south of Dimboola. It loops around typical desert vegetation. A lookout gives an excellent view of the park, Wimmera River and the surrounding area. See the Pomponderoo Hill Nature Walk fact sheet (PDF).


Campground walks

Kiata campground

Several tracks start from the campground. See the Kiata Campground Walks fact sheet (PDF).

Horseshoe Bend/Ackle Bend campgrounds

A short walk that leads to Ackle Bend provides great views of the eastern block, particularly at sunset. Walkers can continue past Ackle Bend and follow the track a further 1km to the river before returning to the campgrounds.

Long distance walks

 

Trail head for the Discovery Walk at Little Desert National Park

Little Desert Discovery Walk

This four-day walk has been designed to showcase the different ecosystems of the Little Desert National Park. With two overnight camps along the way, long-distance walkers can tackle all or part of the 74 km Little Desert Discovery Walk.

How to get there

Walks in Little Desert National Park

Need to know

Walks in Little Desert National Park

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Little Desert National Park

    Little Desert National Park Fire Recovery - Partial reopening update Spring 2025

    In February 2025, a large fast-moving bushfire ignited by lightening swept through 70& of the Little Desert National Park.
    Since then, a staged re-opening of the park has commenced many popular areas have since re-opened such as:
    • Horseshoe and Ackle Bend Campgrounds and day visitor areas
    • Pomondoroo Hill
     
    Areas within the park that were not impacted by the fire and remain open are:
    • Western Block - 4WD tracks and dispersed camping
    • Kiata Sanctuary Picnic Ground
    • Sanctuary Keith Hateley Nature Walk
     
    There are many areas within the park remain closed for recovery works such as:
    • Eastern Block including stringy bark walk
    • Central block including Broughton’s waterhole campground and Mc Donalds Hwy.
     
    Parks Victoria are working towards the second stage of areas to re-opening and will hopefully have an update for you in January 2026.
     
    For more details on “What’s open and What’s closed” please check out the most recent Park Update. 

    Attachments: 2025 SEPT Little Desert NP Re-opening Park Update FINAL (800KB)

    Little Desert National Park - Recovery works update

    For the latest information regarding Little Desert National Park Recovery works and updates, please check out the recent Newsletter from our Rangers 

    Attachments: 2025 NOV Little Desert NP Newsletter FINAL (637KB)

  • Horseshoe Bend Camping Area (Little Desert National Park, Wimmera River Heritage River)

    Wotjobaluk Nations Festival Information at Horseshoe Bend

    Please note for the festival event at Horseshoe Bend, there will be set up from Wednesday 10 and packing up on Monday 15 Dec. 
    Ackle Bend Campground and Day Visitor Areas will remain open during this time. 
    No camping bookings can be made at Horseshoe Bend for the event weekend and bump in and out days. 

    About the Wotjobaluk Nations Festival:
    Its a celebration of culture, Country and Community, marking 20 years since Native Title was recognised for the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Peoples - the first Native Title recognition in Victoria.  Hosted by Barengi Gadjin Land Council and designed by Community for Community, the Festival will have hands-on cultural workshops, and this year, their weaving workshop is a beautiful chance to slow down, connect, and learn on Country.
    And weaving is just one of many culture workshops. Throughout the day you can join workshops in boomerang painting, clapstick burning, bush toy making, possum skin cloak burning, river walks, language and dance, movement meditation, and more.

    Saturday 13 December 2025
    Horseshoe Bend Campgrounds, near Dimboola
    Mob & Kin Program (Private)
    9:30am – 5:00pm
    Ceremony, workshops and cultural activities for Wotjobaluk Nations Peoples, Kin and invited guests.
    Evening Celebration (Mob, Kin, Allies & Friends Welcome)
    5:00pm – 11:00pm

    All are welcome to join us for entertainment, food, and Our Place Our Story, a powerful immersive projection honouring Community, Culture and Country.
    Please RSVP at bglc.com.au/events
    This event is alcohol-free.  Transportation support from Stawell, Ararat, Horsham and Dimboola is available.  Please bring camping chairs if you’d like to use them.


 
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