Little Desert Discovery Walk
Dimboola, Victoria, Australia, 4 days, 60k
Detailed info of Little Desert Discovery Walk
overview
camp ground names, distances & condition
gallery
1. Overview
The Little Desert Discovery Walk was an incredibly scorching experience. We were expecting warm weather but unfortunately we had higher than normal temperatures, my Garmin app registered 39C. The blistering heat forced us to bring an extra amount of water as dehydration loomed over us. The precious shade was a rare commodity in this unforgiving terrain. We felt every step in the with the added weight of water as our feet sank into the soft sand, making progress slower then normal. To make matters worse, the relentless presence of flys during the day and feral bees added to our discomfort at each campsite. It was a true test of mental endurance and stamina. However, if you are seeking a challenge that pushes your limits, this walk is definitely worth embarking on. Just be prepared for the harsh conditions and the mental resilience it demands. We did this hike in December 2023.
2. Camp ground names, distances & condition
The hike is a loop, so you can park your car and start at Horseshoe Bend camp ground, which is a great site. The path is well defined, very little shade most of the time, plenty of water in the tanks while we were there, low shrub, soft sand and very few animals.
Horseshoe Bend camp ground to Mallee Walkers camp area - 13k, 4 hours
Mallee Walkers camp area to Kiata camping area - 19.5k, about 6 hours
Kiata camping area Camping Area to Yellow Gum walkers camp - 21k, 6 hours
Yellow Gum walkers camp return back to Horseshoe Bend camp ground - 20k, about 6 hours
See map below from https://www.parks.vic.gov.au
The little wilderness discovery walk is located in Dimboola, Victoria, 300k's and 4 hours drive from Melbourne. Camp conditions, sorry to say were not the best. Parks Victoria acknowledges there are feral bees at each camp site. As an example, we arrived in good time to sit back and relax at Yellow Gum camp site, but the bees were so bad we just couldn't get away from them. While I wasn't worried about being stung, in the drop toilet the bees had made a beehive and it was now their home, so we couldn't use it, and we had to be cautious getting water from the tank as the bees were also wanting their share. A number of times I had to fish out a bee from my water bottle. Over the whole hike I had never seen so many bees.
Now from bees to flys. Make sure you bring a fly net hat, Bunnings have them for $5.00 or so, if on trial you don't have one you'll happily pay a stranger $100.00 for one! Yes, lots of annoying flys. Toilets in general were clean, campsites were spacious, easy to pitch your tent.
There are limited areas for a shaded lunch when it's really hot. On a pleasant day though, you'd have good views of the shrubbery desert. On our first night though at Mallee camp site, which is beside a water hole, we were treated to seeing a emu husband and wife, (the emus didn't see us) drink and play around the water hole for a short while. We just sat still and watched, it was a beautiful sight.
A shout out to the rangers working around Horsehoe Bend. They checked up on us early morning before we started out on our hike. The camping ground is walking distance to the start of the hike if you want to spend the night before if you start the next day. A kindness would be to leave your car near the trail head. We felt it was quite safe there. it will just be a little dusty on your return.
On our return we loved a dip in the Wimmera river for some refreshment. The Horseshoe camping ground is well worth the stop. Certainly some beautiful sights, such as the salt lake, I can't say I would return to do this trek, but happy to knock it off our list.
