Photographing the Big Desert

About the Big Desert

With a name like 'The Big Desert' - who could not try and have a look around. Surely that must be a fascinating place with Sahara like sand dunes, epic sand wastes . . . .?

Even the travel guides for this place say 'it is 13,500 hectares and is a playground for 4WD'. i.e. you can drive here, and you may get bogged. Having visited it, I can only agree. The old maps of Australia used to mark territory as 'useless' (for farming). I think that applies here. There may be some animals hiding in the sand or under the small shrubs, but we were looking for some vistas, or something of photographic interest. We only found sand roads, and small shrubs. There was a couple of campgrounds and sign boards, but frankly little else.

Viewpoints

After a few hours driving, we just photographed a section of road. That was basically all we saw until we reached the other side - the same road, albeit with very minor variations.

Other Things to Look Out For

How I photographed the Big Desert

What I took - what was in my kit

I just took a snap with my phone. I didn't find anything worth unpacking the camera for. (Not really true, as I did photograph the two campsites we came across, but that was purely for record.)

Nearby Locations

Anything else. Walpeup on the northern edge. Patchewollock. Albacutya. Dimboola. Little Desert.

Nearby Auspano pages

• Rainbow Silo Art — approximately 65 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
• Walpeup Silo Art — approximately 70 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
• Patchewollock Silo Art — approximately 71 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
• Kaniva Silo Art — approximately 95 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
• Arkona Silo Art — approximately 106 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.

Nearby Auspano pages

• Rainbow Silo Art — approximately 65 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
• Walpeup Silo Art — approximately 70 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
• Patchewollock Silo Art — approximately 71 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
• Kaniva Silo Art — approximately 95 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
• Arkona Silo Art — approximately 106 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.

Location

Apple Map – Location and Nearby Photographic Locations

This Apple Map identifies Big Desert and 5 nearby Auspano locations. Select a numbered marker or linked page for more detail.

How to Get There

The is only reachable by your own car, and I suggest a reasonable 4WD.

Driving from the State Capital

The state capital is used as a consistent reference point. Apple Maps calculates the automobile route to this location; your actual route may vary with your starting point, traffic, roadworks and temporary closures.

Current Access / Conditions

There are no known issues with getting to this location.

Best Time to Visit

I suggest only after visiting everywhere else in the world.

Accessibility

The road, while sand / gravel was reasonably well taken care of. We had no troubles towing across it, and I don't recall actually using 4WD mode. They were fixing the road while we were there though.

Where to Stay

Not here. You can camp at two campsites in the Big Desert, but I don't see why you would. There are much nicer places within an hour or two of here.

Photography Recommendations

recommendations XX

Suggested Photographic Sequence

Work through the location in an order that makes the best use of changing light and conditions.

How Long Should a Photographer Stay?

Allow enough time to photograph the location in more than one light or weather condition where practical.

My Priority Photographs

Use this section for the practical photographic shot list for the location.