Big Desert Wilderness Park

Victoria’s first declared wilderness area, Big Desert Wilderness Park, located north of Kaniva, is 13,500 hectares and is a playground for 4WD, hiking, nature lovers and bird watchers alike. It is an arid area of sandstone ridges, sand dunes, mallee scrub and heath. The Park is home to a wide variety of birds, lizards, snakes, birds, the pygmy possum, the hopping mouse and other small mammal species. Access is by the Nhill-Murrayville Road which runs parallel to, but 5 km east of, the park boundary. It is only suitable for two-wheel drives in dry weather (check road conditions before departing) and, as there is no vehicular access within the park, this is as close as you get. You will have to walk from the road through a strip of public land into Big Desert. Only experienced and entirely self-sufficient campers and walkers with a map and compass should try but, even then, there are times in summer when it is definitely too hot for walking.

EXPLORE

4WD TRACKS

There are many 4WD tracks to explore in the Big Desert Wilderness Park. These tracks vary in length and difficulty. As weather conditions and season can affect the tracks, please contact Park Victoria on 13 19 63, view the brochure or visit their website. Please contact Parks Victoria for up to date information.

WALKING TRAILS

As above, there are many walking trails through the Big Desert Wilderness Park. As weather conditions and season can affect the trails, please contact Park Victoria on 13 19 63 or visit their website. Some of the walking trails include:

• Mount Rescue
• Gosse Hill
• Mount Shaugh

Please contact Parks Victoria for up to date information.

EXPERIENCE

Mallee Parks has listed over 300 species of birds so don’t forget to take your binoculars and see how many you can find in the Big Desert Wilderness Park.