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

Stylised green and grey map of Victoria.

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

Explore

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

Relax at your camp where the desert meets the river while watching colourful birds dart in and out of tree hollows or come prepared take a walk and discover the secrets of this river oasis or the unique desert country.

How to get there

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

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

Need to know

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

Safety in nature

You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

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. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

Warnings & Restrictions

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed

Restrictions

  • No firearms allowed
  • No dogs allowed
  • Fees apply
  • No drones without a permit
  • No horses
  • No generators

Warnings

  • Other warnings
    • Trees may fall take care
    • Limbs may fall take care
  • Water hazards
    • Deep water
  • Animals and pests
    • Beware feral bees

Be Prepared

Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.

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.

Aerial Shooting Operation - Little Desert NP

Please be advised that an aerial pest animal control program using firearms will be conducted in Little Desert National Park. 
The program will be conducted between the dates of Monday 3rd August to the end of Friday 7th August 2026. Hours of operations will be between 0500 - 1700hrs daily.

Visitor site closures: All access and visitor sites within Little Desert National Park will be closed during aerial shooting operations, including the western side that is unaffected by recent bushfires. Visitors will still have access to Horseshoe Bend and Ackle Bend campgrounds throughout this operation. 
Closure signs will be in place on all main entry points into the park. For your safety, please adhere to all on-site signage. 

Please note - The Little Desert National Park is currently subject to partial closure following a bushfire that started 27th of January 2025. The central and eastern sections of the park, tracks and remote campgrounds remain closed to ensure visitor and community safety and support fire stabilisation activity. These closures will remain enforce during, and beyond the duration of aerial control operations.  

Park Areas Closed - Little Desert NP

The Eastern and Central Blocks of the Little Desert NP both currently remain closed following the devastating bushfire which damaged 70% of the park last summer.
In January 2025, a large fast-moving bushfire ignited by lightning swept through 70% of the Little Desert National Park.
Since then, a staged re-opening of the park has commenced, and many popular areas have since re-opened such as:
  • Horseshoe and Ackle Bend Campgrounds and day visitor areas
  • Pomonderoo 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
  • Keith Hateley Nature Walk
 There are many areas within the park which remain closed for recovery works such as:
  • Eastern Block including Stringybark walk
  • Desert Discovery Walk
  • Central Block including Broughton’s waterhole campground and McDonalds Hwy
We continue to work towards repair and recovery, with further updates in coming months.

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

X
By using our site you accept that we use and share cookies and similar technologies with certain approved third parties. These tools enable us to improve your website experience and to provide content and ads tailored to your interests. By continuing to use our site you consent to this. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.
Confirm