Camel Pad Track is a 10km, grade 3 return hike located in the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 2.5 hrs to complete.

Length: 10km

Duration: 2.5 hrs

Grade: 3

Style: Return

Start: Hattah Outback Roadhouse

End: Hattah Outback Roadhouse

Location: Hattah-Kulkyne National Park

Closest town: Ouyen

Victoria

From state capital: 477km

Longitude: 142.27857112884524

Latitude: -34.753266706879714

Leave a review

Organise this hike as an event

Check the weather

Hike overview

The Camel Pad Track walk commences just north of the Hattah Outback Roadhouse and traverses a constantly changing landscape, with typical Mallee scrub of eucalypt and Porcupine Grass giving way to different vegetation as the track passes through open woodlands, over sand dunes, and beside a large salt pan. See the local wildlife up close, with kangaroos and emus grazing in the open areas or resting in the shade. Camels were used to transport salt from the Sunset Country to the Murray River along this track 100 years ago. Led by Afghan team masters, the camel teams carried cargoes of salt from Spectacle Lakes to the Murray River, where the salt was loaded onto paddle steamers that returned with precious fresh water and supplies.

This can be done as a return hike, turning around at the Old Calder Highway or you can continue your journey to finish at the Lake Mournpall Campground. This one way alternative is also around 10km and will take approximately 2.5 hrs.

Hattah-Kulkyne National Park is paradise for birdwatchers, as the dry country and lakes offer habitat for over 200 species. Colourful galahs, parrots and Major Mitchell Cockatoos are often seen, while waterbirds such as pelicans, swans, ducks and grebes frequent Lake Mournpall at the end of the trail. Keep an eye also for the abundant wildlife. Kangaroos and emus can frequently be spotted, as well as a variety of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, whitebellied sea eagles and whistling kites.

Camping

There are two designated campgrounds in the park with basic facilities, including non-flush toilets, fireplaces and picnic tables. They are at Lake Hattah and further north at Lake Mournpall. Advance bookings and payment are required for these sights via the Parks Victoria website. Other river camping areas without facilities are available at Ki Bend, Firemans Bend and Jinkers Bend, all along the Murray at the eastern edge of the park. No booking or fees are required, although these areas are best accessed with a 4WD.

Route and GPX file

Total distance: 10040 m
Max elevation: 60 m
Min elevation: 41 m
Total climbing: 136 m
Total descent: -136 m

Download file: Camel Pad Track.gpx

Trail location

Getting there

Hattah-Kulkyne National Park is half way between Ouyen and Mildura, off the Calder Highway. It’s a hefty 5.5 hours’ drive from Melbourne, but only 45 minutes due south of Mildura. Most visitors enter via the Hattah Entrance Road and head directly for the Lake Hattah Campground. The park extends north and east, covering 48,000 hectares, before hitting the Murray River off Hattah–Robinvale Road not far from the small village of Liparoo. Many of the park’s best spots are accessible in a 2WD car, but some tracks are 4WD only. Be especially careful if there’s been recent rain.

Get directions

Gallery

Upload your photos

If you have any photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.

Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.

About the region

Hattah-Kulkyne National Park lies in typical mallee country with extensive low scrub and open native pine woodland. Superbly adapted birds, animals and vegetation thrive in the poor, sandy soils and searing summers. The freshwater Hattah Lakes is seasonally filled by creeks connected to the Murray, providing food and shelter for waterbirds and fish. These lakes can remain full for up to ten years without flooding, but flooding generally occurs once every two years. Camping, walking, bike riding and canoeing are popular here and in the adjoining Murray-Kulkyne Park.

Suggest an edit

Does this hikes information need updating? Sometimes the route, trail features or access conditions change.

Reviews

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Similar trails

Gear to consider

My planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Everyone, and every hike, is different, so customise your outdoor kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.

The HiiKER app helps you to find 1,000’s of the best bushwalking and hiking adventures, with reviews, photos, and great places to stay. I’m excited to have partnered with HiiKER to offer members of Trail hiking Australia Community an exclusive deal to help you get outdoors with extra confidence with premium mapping, planning and tracking features. Claim your offer here.

Let someone know

Let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return. Fill in an online trip intentions form to privately send important details about your adventure to your emergency contact. They can then inform emergency services if you don’t return on time.

Weather

Acknowledgement of Country

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.