There are many national parks in Victoria with several species of animals and plants. They are also rich in campgrounds and walking trails. One of them is Little Desert National Park.

It is located in the Wimmera Mallee region near the Wimmera River in Victoria, Australia. It has many campgrounds, picnic areas, trails, a yellow gum walkers camp, and a big desert. You can reach this national park by following the western highway.

Enjoy signposted walks, camping, desert discovery walks, four-wheel driving, and hiking.  Some visitors’ favourite spots are Kiata campgrounds, mallee walkers camp, and Wimmera River.

1. History 

Some groups of aboriginal people in the park area maintain a delicate balance of natural forces in this national park. They take care of the land and its cultural heritage. The managing authority of this national park is Parks Victoria.

During the Second World War, this area was the central block for gunnery range, bombing, and bunkers. Some traditional aboriginal owners maintain their ancestral lands. The state government of the South Australia region also helped those people to keep their lands.

This national park has an arid landscape where survival depends on the water capacity of the plant. This natural garden causes marked differences in vegetation as this place has poor soils. Also, the growth of some plants is successful in poor soils.

2. Geographical Surroundings

The national park has poor soil types, making it difficult for the plants to grow. Maintaining a delicate balance of natural forces for their growth is also challenging for them.

Parks Victoria has maintained things very well in this national park. All the campgrounds, border tracks, four-wheel driving roads, bushfire safety sections, walking trails, and lookouts are well-maintained by the Parks Victoria team.

3. Cultural Traditions 

There are different groups of people living in Little Desert National Park. The other groups that live here are Jupagulk, Jaadwa, Wergaia, and Wotother, the cultural traditions of all these people, are a little different.

Wotjobaluk people are more closely related to their land, especially the Wimmera river. They take good care of the vegetation of their place. They use stone tools, shell middens, oven mounds, and scarred trees.

4. Things to do in Little Desert National Park

There are many things that you can do in Little Dessert National Park. You can enjoy camping, hiking, walking, birdwatching, observing different species of plants, seeing wildlife, and photography.

You can also learn the history of this national park by visiting here. You will come to know about the Aboriginal people and their culture. It is a calm place, so you can also see this place to relax and make your mind free from all other stress.

5. Campgrounds in Little Desert National Park

There are many campgrounds in Little Desert National Park. One of them is the Kiata campground. This is a perfect place for camping. Many rock climbers love to visit this place as they can do rock climbing. You can also enjoy bush walks as well.

The horseshoe bend and broken bucket are the favorite campgrounds of this national park. People who like to explore new things should visit this place. It will give them a unique experience.

You can select a suitable place in the campground and place your tents and caravans. After that enjoy your camping, take all the necessary items with you which are needed for camping.

6. Walking Tracks in Little Desert National Park

Walking trails are a simple way to explore the place. You will see the lookouts and views by exploring these walking trails. During these walks, you can see many new species of plants, birds, animals, and flowers.

Some of these trails are very easy, and some are moderately difficult. The best time to visit the tracks and walk is autumn, but you can also go in the early summer and late winter seasons.

7. Vegetation of Little Desert National Park

The Little Desert National Park is not so rich in vegetation. It has some limited species of plants which can grow in the arid region. It has different soil types, so some plants can grow in those different soils.

In early summertime, the plants shed their leaves, and wilting starts. So, the vegetation is seen less during that period. The plants get a new life and fresh leaves and flowers in the autumn season. During late winter time, the plants got hardened.

In the autumn season, the national park looks incredible. Some plants found in Little Desert National Park are Yellow gum, Stringybark, Black box, Desert banksia, River red gum, Sheoak heathlands, and so on.

8. Wildlife of Little Desert National Park

Little Desert National Park has many different species of animals and birds. Those animals include the Eastern banjo frog, Painted dragon, Eastern striped skink, Nobbi, Jacky dragon, Oriental cenotes, Trilling frog, Mallee tree dragon, and Common scaly foot.

Some bird species are Galah, Red-rumped parrot, Fan-tailed cuckoo, Eastern rosella, Rainbow lorikeet, Barn owl, Rainbow bee-eater, Scared kingfisher, Emu, Crested pigeon, Tawny frogmouth, Australian wood duck, Collared sparrowhawk, Superb fairywren, Noisy miner, and Tree martin.

Final Note

We have discussed the Little Desert National Park. Aboriginal traditional owners maintain this national park. Little Desert National Park causes marked differences in vegetation as well.

The growth of many species of plants is also succeeded in poor soils. The Aboriginal people maintain plant growth and all other forms of vegetation. The arid landscape where survival depends only on the water needed by the plant.

The plant species which need less water can easily grow on this land. You can also go camping there while observing the vegetation and wildlife. Broken Bucket and Horseshoe Bend is the famous campsite of this national park.

For more information, you can visit the Parks Victoria website. This is a relevant park page that gives you all the related information. You can also see the images of the national park on this website.

Last Updated on December 31, 2023 by ritukhare