Horseshoe Bend Camping Area

A winding river in a rugged bushland landscape.

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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Horseshoe Bend Camping Area

Unwind on the banks of the Wimmera River and enjoy fishing, swimming and canoeing, or explore some of the easy walks nearby.

Set amongst ancient River Red Gums and surrounded by a variety of colourful birds, Horseshoe Bend Camping Area offers 30 unpowered campsites suitable for tents, camper trailers, campervans and caravans.

Campground facilities include flushing toilets, communal fireplaces and picnic tables. There is no drinking water available and you need to bring your own firewood.

Individual campsites cannot be reserved, select your campsite(s) within the campground on arrival.

Advanced bookings and payment are required year-round. Each campsite holds a maximum of six people. Please book multiple sites for bookings of more than six people.


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Things to do in the area

 
The path to the lookout at Pomponderoo Hill in warmth of the early evening sunshine

Pomponderoo Hill Nature Walk

Enjoy 360-degree views of the Little Desert from the Pomponderoo Hill lookout. This short, easy self-guided loop-track is sandy underfoot and takes you through an area of typical Little Desert country.
Little Desert National Park - Discovery Walk track

Walks in Little Desert National Park

The park has a number of marked, signposted walks, ranging from 30 minutes to three days duration.
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.
Father and son bird watching on boardwalk

Bird watching

From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.
Stargazing in the Murray Sunset National Park.

Stargazing

Escape the city lights to remote nature locations to see the spectacular starry southern night sky.

How to get there

Horseshoe Bend Camping Area

Horsehoe Bend Camping area is seven kilometres south of Dimboola. Little Desert National Park is 350km west of Melbourne, between the Wimmera River and the South Australian border. From Dimboola, cross the river and follow Horsehoe Bend Road to the camping area. The unsealed road is maintained in good condition and is suitable for two wheel drives, caravans and camper trailers.
Horseshoe Bend Camping Area

When you're there

Download the Little Desert National Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders. 

Need to know

Horseshoe Bend Camping Area

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

Be prepared and stay safe

Little Desert National Park is in the Wimmera fire district. Bushfires can occur during the warmer months. It is your responsibility to check current and forecast weather conditions. Campfires cannot be lit on days of Total Fire Ban, however gas cookers can be used for preparing food.

Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226.

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.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Aerial Shooting Operation - Little Desert NP

    Please be advised that an aerial pest animal control program using firearms will be conducted in Little Desert National Park. 
    The program will be conducted between the dates of Monday 3rd August to the end of Friday 7th August 2026. Hours of operations will be between 0500 - 1700hrs daily.

    Visitor site closures: All access and visitor sites within Little Desert National Park will be closed during aerial shooting operations, including the western side that is unaffected by recent bushfires. Visitors will still have access to Horseshoe Bend and Ackle Bend campgrounds throughout this operation. 
    Closure signs will be in place on all main entry points into the park. For your safety, please adhere to all on-site signage. 

    Please note - The Little Desert National Park is currently subject to partial closure following a bushfire that started 27th of January 2025. The central and eastern sections of the park, tracks and remote campgrounds remain closed to ensure visitor and community safety and support fire stabilisation activity. These closures will remain enforce during, and beyond the duration of aerial control operations.  

    Park Areas Closed - Little Desert NP

    The Eastern and Central Blocks of the Little Desert NP both currently remain closed following the devastating bushfire which damaged 70% of the park last summer.
    In January 2025, a large fast-moving bushfire ignited by lightning swept through 70% of the Little Desert National Park.
    Since then, a staged re-opening of the park has commenced, and many popular areas have since re-opened such as:
    • Horseshoe and Ackle Bend Campgrounds and day visitor areas
    • Pomonderoo 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
    • Keith Hateley Nature Walk
     There are many areas within the park which remain closed for recovery works such as:
    • Eastern Block including Stringybark walk
    • Desert Discovery Walk
    • Central Block including Broughton’s waterhole campground and McDonalds Hwy
    We continue to work towards repair and recovery, with further updates in coming months.

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

Similar experiences

A tent, fireplace and picnic table at Wonga Camground at Wyperfeld National Park

Wonga Camping Area

Pitch a tent or park your caravan or campervan at your own private bush oasis. There are 60 unpowered campsites spread across the spacious campground.
A campfire and picnic table near the river's edge at Ackle Bend Campground in Little Desert National Park

Ackle Bend Camping Area

Relax at camp where the desert meets the river and watch colourful birds dart in and out of tree hollows, or come prepared to take a walk and discover the secrets of this river oasis and unique desert country.
A couple in their twenties camp at the Mt Stapylton Campground in the Grampians National Park.

Stapylton Campground

Stapylton Campground is one of the best places to stay when exploring the Northern Grampians. It is close to a great selection of day walks, Aboriginal rock shelters, picnic areas and day visitor sites.
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