MALLEE MAGIC

THE MALLEE COUNTRY OF WYPERFELD NATIONAL PARK OFFERS A FABULOUS MIX OF HISTORY, STUNNING SCENERY, BEAUT CAMPING AND FUN SAND DRIVING

- KEV SMITH

I HAD just completed the iconic Border Track that defines Victoria and South Australia when I saw a turnoff to Wyperfeld NP. Not one to miss an adventure, I soon found myself heading to the park.

Wyperfeld is the third largest NP in Victoria broken up into three different management areas to protect its fragile Mallee country, indigenous heritage and European history. Covering a staggering 3570km², it was first reserved in 1909 but to protect and manage the area it was declared in 1921. The Wotjobaluk people have called Wyperfeld home for many generations and there are signs throughout the park where artefacts, middens and burial sites have been found, and are now protected.

Broken into three distinct areas, Wyperfeld has a very special feel depending on which section you are exploring.

To the west, there is the Big Desert Wilderness area that is only accessible to experienced hikers.

At just over 1450km² between the Border track and the Murrayville Track, this is one of the least disturbed areas in Victoria.

To the north, a pocket of land called State Forest has a maze of sandy 4x4 tracks and camping areas to explore.

Through this area, three main dedicated 4x4 routes allow you to explore different areas with various POIS along the way. It features stands of red gums, pines and casuarinas to low heathland vegetation and even steep dunes where the sand can be softer than a beach drive.

The hardest track through this section of the park is the Milmed Rock Track which runs for 175km through some of the softest and steepest sand I've ever encountered. It's a good seven-hour drive on the loop, with two separate campgrounds along the way, some old water springs and the Milmed Rock formation.