Camping Big Desert Wilderness Area
Camping Big Desert Wilderness Area
The Big Desert Wilderness Area is located in north west Victoria near the South Australian border. It is accessed by the Murrayville-Nhill Track which runs about 5 kilometres to the east of the park. There is no vehicle access into the park. The Murrayville-Nhill Track is unsealed and becomes extremely rough and slippery after rain. Four-wheel drive access is required during and after bad weather. The three closet towns are Murrayville (north) and Nhill and Yanac (south). The Wilderness area is in the Mallee region of Victoria with the Big Desert State Forest and Wyperfeld National Park nearby.
Camping Big Desert Wilderness Area
There are five campsites located just outside Big Desert Wilderness Area, all accessed along the Murrayville-Nhill Track:
Big Billy Bore Camping area (33km south of Murrayville)
The Springs Camping Area (48km south of Murrayville)
Moonlight Tank Camping Area (58km south of Murrayville)
Broken Bucket Camping Area (88km south of Murrayville, 53km north of Nhill)
Red Bluff Camping Area (accessed via Border Track or Bluff Track; 4WD only)
All five campsites are free and have a varying range of facilities from toilets and bore water to tent camping only. Campers are required to be self-sufficient carrying drinking water and firewood. Gas stoves are preferred. Dogs and pets are prohibited at all campgrounds as there are wild dogs within Big Desert Wilderness Area.
Bird Watching in Big Desert Wilderness
Big Desert Wilderness Area was the first declared wilderness area in Victoria. It is a truly remote wilderness area where it is easy to feel removed from human activity. It spans 13 500 hectares and all access to the wilderness area on foot. This makes the area ideal for bird watching, nature enthusiasts, bush walking and multi-day hikes. Walking tracks include Thompson Peaks Lookout, Coburns Track and the Border Track. These walks are only recommended for experience and well-equipped hikers. Skills using maps and GPS as well as adequate food and water are necessary. In summer months, bush walking of any kind is not recommend due to extreme heat.
The Big Desert Wilderness Area is home to many species of birds,small mammals and Victoria’s best variety of reptiles. These include up to 50 species of lizard and snake, alongside over 90 types of birds. Bird watching is popular in the area and it can even be possible to catch a glimpse of the rare whipbird. The small mammals that live in the area include the western pygmy possum and Mitchell’s hopping-mouse. The landscape is made up of sandy embankments, sandstone ridges and a variety of shrubs and heath. The arid, dry landscape make the Big Desert Wilderness a unique and memorable camping experience.
