Thursday 26/10/2023 Horseshoe Bend Campground – Wimmera River – Desert Discovery Walk
Little Desert National Park, VICTORIA
Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
Nestled amongst the River Red Gums at Horseshoe Bend Campground we had been joined last night and this morning by masses of bird life. A pair of Kookaburras called in for a visit many times, along with sightings of black cockatoos, mallards, parrots, blue wrens and numerous species of other small, heath-loving birds.
Max elevation: 113 m
Total climbing: 123 m
Total descent: -123 m
Average speed: 2.87 km/h
Total time: 02:40:43
Heading off we were in no hurry, as we hoped by moving slowly we would encounter more desert wildlife. We weren’t disappointed as we had sighted swamp wallabies and half a dozen species of birds before getting out of the campground. Initially walking along the banks of the Wimmera River there were lots of beautiful River Red Gums to admire and check out for birdlife.
Just past and across from the road was a small area of water in a depression with visiting mallards and herons. A pair of parrots grazed on the track just in front of us as we left the water behind and moved through some thicker heath. Here we were slightly elevated above the surroundings and we were surprised by a mob of emus 200m ahead. Quickly noting our presence they made a run for it through the heath, creating quite a sight. All we saw were their heads and half of their necks above the heath as they fled the scene.
Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) – Research Grade – along Desert Discovery Track
The wildflowers remaining from the September peak were almost exclusively the white flowers of the Melaleuca. The area was thick with low-profile Banksia Serrarta which thrives in the local environment, as well as some Callistomen (bottle brush). Amongst these were plenty of small birds, frequently darting from bush to bush, with plenty to say as they did. A one point we caught sight of a flock of black cockatoos flying overhead and plenty of other flighty parrots not allowing us to get close enough to see what they were.
The track description had you walk back along the road to Horseshoe Bend Campground, however, I enjoyed the walking track so much that I decided to return the same way whilst Sue headed back along the road to get a coffee back at camp.
I was very glad that I returned via the track, as once back to the watering hole a pair of emus were approaching it. Here, I backed up a little, allowing them to get down to the water’s edge for their drink. Skirting wide around them I was able to get into position for some photos and a short video, just as more members of their mob joined in.
The local flora, fauna, geology, history and some other walks (Bard)
Local Flora
The Wimmera River section of Little Desert National Park is home to a variety of flora, including:
Trees and shrubs: River red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens), mallee (Eucalyptus incrassata), bullock bush (Alectryon oleifolius), wattles (Acacia spp.), and grevilleas (Grevillea spp.).
Grasses and sedges: Kangaroo grass (Themeda australis), wallaby grass (Danthonia spp.), spear grass (Stipa spp.), and reeds (Phragmites australis).
** wildflowers:** Yellow box (Eucalyptus melliodora), blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis), stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua), and spotted gum (Corymbia maculata).
Local Fauna
The Wimmera River section of Little Desert National Park is home to a variety of fauna, including:
Mammals: Kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas, bats, and foxes.
Birds: Emus, kookaburras, parrots, honeyeaters, and wrens.
Reptiles: Snakes, lizards, and turtles.
Amphibians: Frogs and toads.
Geology
The Wimmera River section of Little Desert National Park is underlain by a variety of rocks, including:
Sedimentary rocks: Sandstone, shale, and limestone.
Volcanic rocks: Basalt and tuff.
The park is also home to a number of geological features, including:
The Wimmera River: The Wimmera River is a major river in western Victoria. It flows through the Wimmera River section of Little Desert National Park and provides a vital habitat for a variety of plants and animals.
Sand dunes: The park is home to a number of sand dunes, which were formed by wind erosion over millions of years.
Rock outcrops: The park is also home to a number of rock outcrops, which provide habitat for a variety of plants and animals.
Indigenous History
The Aboriginal people of Australia have lived in the area now known as the Wimmera River section of Little Desert National Park for thousands of years. The park is on the traditional land of the Wotjobaluk people. The Wotjobaluk people used the land for hunting, gathering, and fishing. They also used the land for ceremonial and spiritual purposes.
White History
The first Europeans to visit the area now known as the Wimmera River section of Little Desert National Park were explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell in 1824. The area was first settled by Europeans in the 1830s. The park was established in 1969.
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