Photographing the Little Desert
About the Little Desert
Having been disappointed with our trip through the Big Desert, we were not expecting much from the Little Desert - but this place is a gem. Located a couple of km due south of Dimboola, the Little Desert National Park is actually quite large, but we were only able to get to a small portion of it (the far eastern edge). It extends from Wail west to the South Australian border. Unfortunately, there are only a couple of reasonable roads crossing north to south through the desert. We followed the Wimmera River south out of Dimoboola, through to Horseshoe Bend campground and stayed there. From here, we did drive further south along the river, but we did not take any of the very sandy tracks leading west. These appeared to need a light 4WD with recovery gear, as the sand was around 10cm thick everywhere I looked.
Viewpoints
There are two main choices that we found: 1) you can walk the river (there is actually a river walk) and photograph this slow moving river in a desert; 2) you can photograph the trees and landscape; and finally you can photograph the wildlife and macro views of the fauna. All of these will take a day a two. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here.
How I photographed the Little Desert
What I took - what was in my kit
I took my LowePro Backpack loaded with Canon 5DSR body, Canon 24-70 zoom, Manfrotto 190 Tripod, and of course a range of lens wipes, spare batteries, sunscreen and bug repellant. Jenny used the Canon 5D MkIII with both the 16-35mm and the 24-105mm. We simply ran out of time and energy here.
Techniques
These were classic landscape photos, but most of them were shot hand held. We simply had too many choices and not enough time.
Other things to look out for
This is right besides Dimboola, with its Mallee Emu-Wren Mural and the Arkona Silos not far away.
Location
Horseshoe bend Rd, Dimboola Vic 3414 (-36.49830, 142.0180)
Techniques used
Kit used
How to get there
This is purely drive your own car territory. We towed a van, but you could camp here, or bring a motor home etc. There were tracks to the west that I beleive required a full on 4WD, but you could certainly visit this area in a 2wd family car.
Best time to visit
I think some time is required here. Early morning and late evening provides better light, and it is also when more of the local animals come out. That said, I would go here any time of the year.
Accessability
We stayed in 2WD and we towed a caravan. I think any 2WD or 4WD car / motor home would manage this.
Where to stay
Camping in the park is definitely my recommendation. That said, there was accomodation in Dimboola (4km away), and in bigger towns such as Horsham.