Horseshoe Bend Camping Area

A winding river in a rugged bushland landscape.

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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Horseshoe Bend Camping Area

Unwind on the banks of the Wimmera River and enjoy fishing, swimming and canoeing, or explore some of the easy walks nearby.

Set amongst ancient River Red Gums and surrounded by a variety of colourful birds, Horseshoe Bend Camping Area offers 30 unpowered campsites suitable for tents, camper trailers, campervans and caravans.

Campground facilities include flushing toilets, communal fireplaces and picnic tables. There is no drinking water available and you need to bring your own firewood.

Individual campsites cannot be reserved, select your campsite(s) within the campground on arrival.

Advanced bookings and payment are required year-round. Each campsite holds a maximum of six people. Please book multiple sites for bookings of more than six people.


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Things to do in the area

 
The path to the lookout at Pomponderoo Hill in warmth of the early evening sunshine

Pomponderoo Hill Nature Walk

Enjoy 360-degree views of the Little Desert from the Pomponderoo Hill lookout. This short, easy self-guided loop-track is sandy underfoot and takes you through an area of typical Little Desert country.
Little Desert National Park - Discovery Walk track

Walks in Little Desert National Park

The park has a number of marked, signposted walks, ranging from 30 minutes to three days duration.
Trail head for the Discovery Walk at Little Desert National Park

Little Desert Discovery Walk

This four-day walk has been designed to showcase the different ecosystems of the Little Desert National Park. With two overnight camps along the way, long-distance walkers can tackle all or part of the 74 km Little Desert Discovery Walk.
Father and son bird watching on boardwalk

Bird watching

From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.
Stargazing in the Murray Sunset National Park.

Stargazing

Escape the city lights to remote nature locations to see the spectacular starry southern night sky.

How to get there

Horseshoe Bend Camping Area

Horsehoe Bend Camping area is seven kilometres south of Dimboola. Little Desert National Park is 350km west of Melbourne, between the Wimmera River and the South Australian border. From Dimboola, cross the river and follow Horsehoe Bend Road to the camping area. The unsealed road is maintained in good condition and is suitable for two wheel drives, caravans and camper trailers.
Horseshoe Bend Camping Area

When you're there

Download the Little Desert National Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders. 

Need to know

Horseshoe Bend Camping Area

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

Be prepared and stay safe

Little Desert National Park is in the Wimmera fire district. Bushfires can occur during the warmer months. It is your responsibility to check current and forecast weather conditions. Campfires cannot be lit on days of Total Fire Ban, however gas cookers can be used for preparing food.

Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226.

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Little Desert National Park

    Little Desert National Park Fire Recovery - Partial reopening update Spring 2025

    In February 2025, a large fast-moving bushfire ignited by lightening swept through 70& of the Little Desert National Park.
    Since then, a staged re-opening of the park has commenced many popular areas have since re-opened such as:
    • Horseshoe and Ackle Bend Campgrounds and day visitor areas
    • Pomondoroo Hill
     
    Areas within the park that were not impacted by the fire and remain open are:
    • Western Block - 4WD tracks and dispersed camping
    • Kiata Sanctuary Picnic Ground
    • Sanctuary Keith Hateley Nature Walk
     
    There are many areas within the park remain closed for recovery works such as:
    • Eastern Block including stringy bark walk
    • Central block including Broughton’s waterhole campground and Mc Donalds Hwy.
     
    Parks Victoria are working towards the second stage of areas to re-opening and will hopefully have an update for you in January 2026.
     
    For more details on “What’s open and What’s closed” please check out the most recent Park Update. 

    Attachments: 2025 SEPT Little Desert NP Re-opening Park Update FINAL (800KB)

    Little Desert National Park - Recovery works update

    For the latest information regarding Little Desert National Park Recovery works and updates, please check out the recent Newsletter from our Rangers 

    Attachments: 2025 NOV Little Desert NP Newsletter FINAL (637KB)

  • Horseshoe Bend Camping Area (Little Desert National Park, Wimmera River Heritage River)

    Wotjobaluk Nations Festival Information at Horseshoe Bend

    Please note for the festival event at Horseshoe Bend, there will be set up from Wednesday 10 and packing up on Monday 15 Dec. 
    Ackle Bend Campground and Day Visitor Areas will remain open during this time. 
    No camping bookings can be made at Horseshoe Bend for the event weekend and bump in and out days. 

    About the Wotjobaluk Nations Festival:
    Its a celebration of culture, Country and Community, marking 20 years since Native Title was recognised for the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Peoples - the first Native Title recognition in Victoria.  Hosted by Barengi Gadjin Land Council and designed by Community for Community, the Festival will have hands-on cultural workshops, and this year, their weaving workshop is a beautiful chance to slow down, connect, and learn on Country.
    And weaving is just one of many culture workshops. Throughout the day you can join workshops in boomerang painting, clapstick burning, bush toy making, possum skin cloak burning, river walks, language and dance, movement meditation, and more.

    Saturday 13 December 2025
    Horseshoe Bend Campgrounds, near Dimboola
    Mob & Kin Program (Private)
    9:30am – 5:00pm
    Ceremony, workshops and cultural activities for Wotjobaluk Nations Peoples, Kin and invited guests.
    Evening Celebration (Mob, Kin, Allies & Friends Welcome)
    5:00pm – 11:00pm

    All are welcome to join us for entertainment, food, and Our Place Our Story, a powerful immersive projection honouring Community, Culture and Country.
    Please RSVP at bglc.com.au/events
    This event is alcohol-free.  Transportation support from Stawell, Ararat, Horsham and Dimboola is available.  Please bring camping chairs if you’d like to use them.


Similar experiences

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Wonga Camping Area

Pitch a tent or park your caravan or campervan at your own private bush oasis. There are 60 unpowered campsites spread across the spacious campground.
A campfire and picnic table near the river's edge at Ackle Bend Campground in Little Desert National Park

Ackle Bend Camping Area

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Stapylton Campground

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