Scott from Forest Fire Management Victoria saw our article from the September 2018 issue of Trackwatch on the Mothers Day Big Desert / Wyperfeld trip that the club did earlier in the year and got in touch to share some information.
FFM Vic have been putting a lot of work into improvements at Big Billy Bore and are encouraging campers to use it as a base camp and do day trips to ease the pressure on some of the remote camps. This is what we did on the trip earlier this year, and if you went on the trip you’d have noticed the new construction of toilet blocks, improved fireplaces, tables and a picnic area. This work will continue and they’ll also be putting in a gas BBQ in the shelter to reduce the need to collect firewood for cooking, and they are also working on improving some of the remote camps and signage around the area.
During the May trip, the club explored areas of big desert east of Murrayville-Nhill Track, however there are also some great sights to see on Cactus Bore and Coburns Track to the west, including Yellow Gums, Red Gums and Cactus Bore.
Big Desert State Forest map and suggested tour routes
They’ve published the following tour map, and it’s worth checking this out if you’re planning a trip.
Big Desert Tour Map Brochure 2021More to Explore App
FFM also does an app which contains maps for visitors to state forests across the state, in the More to Explore App (iPhone), currently iPhone only, but apparently there is an Android version on the way. Fiona used the app to plan the Big Desert trip back in May, and it’s a useful resource when visiting state forests across the state.
