The West Wimmera is unique due to the myriad of seasonal wetlands
in its landscape. While many wetlands are protected in parks and
reserves, thousands of smaller, more seasonal wetlands exist on farms.West Wimmera is geographically bisected by the Little Desert. South of the desert there is a strong north?south running dune?swale system. The rainfall is relatively high in the southern part of the shire, with a very high density of wetlands. The swales have historically provided the best cropping and grazing country with their heavier clay soils. The lighter sandy country on the dunes was generally undeveloped, and patches of stringybark scrub remain on these dunes. South of the Little Desert, broadacre cropping and sheep farming dominate, with a zone of groundwater sourced for irrigated agriculture and horticulture in the Neuarpurr district. In the higher rainfall areas of the far south?west, blue gum and pine plantations have been established over the last decade.
To the north of the Little Desert, the dune? swale system is less pronounced, rainfall is lower and seasonal wetlands are less dense. North of the desert is one of Victoria?s most productive broadacre cropping districts. The West Wimmera is unique due to the myriad of seasonal wetlands in its landscape. While many wetlands are protected in parks and reserves, thousands of smaller, more seasonal wetlands exist on private land.
There is a large amount of native vegetation remaining in and south of the Little Desert. This provides good connectivity of habitat on a north?south axis, and many of the larger patches of native vegetation are connected by strips on the dunes. Mosquito Creek feeds into the Ramsar?listed Bool Lagoon in South Australia, making it a high priority stream for the district. This stream supports Growling Grass Frogs and native fish, including the Yarra Pygmy Perch, Blackish and Dwarf Galaxias.