Wyperfield National Park, in the Big Desert area of the northwest Victorian Mallee, had its genesis in 1909 as a 9,600 acre natural reserve. Since then its area has been increased almost a hundredfold. It was the abundance and diversity of birdlife which initially caused enthusiastic naturalists to press for reservation. However, the area also has a remarkable richness of other forms of life, including more than 650 species of plants, all forming intriguing relationships with its subtly varied landscape.Wyperfeld is one of Australia's most fascinating national parks. The central feature of this huge park is a chain of lake beds connected by Outlet Creek, the northern extension of the Wimmera River. The lakes only fill when the Wimmera River over-supplies Lake Hindmarsh to the south of Lake Albacutya. When it rains the semi-arid landscape is transformed by tiny desert plants that sprout from long-dormant seeds, carpeting the ground with clusters of flowers.