Wilsons Promontory in April

[Toco]

Hi there,

My name is Alexander, I am a 23 year old walking enthusiast from Belgium. I have been one several day walks in the mountains of Europe with my family, many 2 or 3 day hikes with my Scouting troop (mostly in Belgium, but also in the Swiss Alps and the Lake District in England) and have (almost completely) finished the GR20 (a long-distance walk on the French island Corsica).
This April, I am visiting my parents who are currently/temporarily living in Melbourne, and I would like to do some bushwalking in the wonderful Australian bush.

In the period of the 6th to the 14th of April, I would like to visit Wilsons Promontory for about a week. I plan on doing some of the days walks, using the Tidal River campsite as a base. The last couple of days, I would like to do the 3-day buswalk on the southern section. Do you guys maybe have some recommendations regarding walks and campsites? I find no evidence to the contrary, but is walking alone permitted? It might be a bit of a long stretch, but is there anybody here who was planning a (multi-day) trip in that period? We could either walk together, or not and just meet each other at the overnight camping spots.

Don't know if any of this makes sense, do not hesitate to let me know what is unclear.

Greetings,

Alex

[peregrinator]

I don't know how much you already know about Wilson Promontory, but you could plan your walks and campsites based on information here:

http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/wilsons-promontory-national-park/things-to-do

Walking alone is certainly permitted. Ask again here if you have any further questions.

[benjabimon]

Sealers Cove is rather nice I find, sounds like you have the time to check it out. Pack a hammock and hang out there for a day and chill, go swimming, and enjoy having lots of space to yourself

[Auswalker]

A good three day walk at Wilsons Prom is Day 1 - Tidal river to Oberon Bay (about 7 km). Day 2 - Oberon Bay to Little Waterloo Bay (about 8.5 km). Day 3 little Waterloo Bay to Tidal River via Oberon Bay - 15.5 km. Thiis allows you lots of time to soak up the atmosphere of the Australian Bush at a leisurely pace. There are several other options involving longer daily distances - e.g. Telegraph Saddle car park (on the hill above Tidal River) - Little Waterloo Bay - Sealers Cove - Telegraph Saddle car park (roughly 34 km total distance). You will need a hike permit, so get this in advance as sometimes the campsites are booked out.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

The South East circuit is a classic 2 night /3 day hike.
Day 1. Telegraph saddle/ Sealers' cove
Day 2 Sealers' cove to refuge cove for lunch and then camping at Little waterloo Bay
Day 3 You can head back to Telegraph saddle or if you still feel fresh you can walk back to Tidal River via Oberon Bay.
I Love The Prom. It is not quite so busy during the week. Weekends at the Prom are often heaving with people ..
I like the Northern Prom. You don't see as many people out there but it is tougher and there are next to no facilities. It is a wilderness area.

[Toco]

Thanks for the quick replies guys

I don't know how much you already know about Wilson Promontory, but you could plan your walks and campsites based on information here:

http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/wilsons-promontory-national-park/things-to-do

Walking alone is certainly permitted. Ask again here if you have any further questions.

I had already stumbled upon this website, the amount of information made available by your government agencies is wonderful!

... Pack a hammock ...

Hadn't thought of that yet, nice tip!

Thank you paidal_chalne_vala and Auswalker for your possible itineraries. Seems like I have lot of possibilities. Overall, the distances seem rather short. Does this mean that the walk includes a lot of height differences or scrambling on rocks, or is it just because people in Australia are more laid-back ?

[peregrinator]

. . . Thank you paidal_chalne_vala and Auswalker for your possible itineraries. Seems like I have lot of possibilities. Overall, the distances seem rather short. Does this mean that the walk includes a lot of height differences or scrambling on rocks, or is it just because people in Australia are more laid-back ?

You've probably seen this information regarding distances, durations and degrees of difficulty for the walks:

http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/514928/Parknote-Wilsons-Promontory-NP-Overnight-Hikes.pdf

The durations are quite conservative. For example, I imagine you will easily get from Telegraph Saddle to Refuge Cove (16.6 kilometres) in four hours (not including stops), compared with five as stated. There is a descent from c.200m to sea level at Sealers Cove, then up to c.130 and finally back to sea level. Kersop Peak, south of Refuge on the way to Waterloo Bay is 204m. So the climbing is not particularly strenuous and there's a clear track all the way, with no rock scrambling.

As for route suggestions, do you plan on driving to Tidal River? One thing to consider is that the road up to Telegraph Saddle is not really a good walking route and people beginning walks from the saddle normally park their vehicle there.

[Toco]

OK, that was what I was thinking.

As for route suggestions, do you plan on driving to Tidal River? One thing to consider is that the road up to Telegraph Saddle is not really a good walking route and people beginning walks from the saddle normally park their vehicle there.

Unfortunately, I do not have a drivers licence, so I have to rely on public transport to get to the Prom. Walking it will be, unless I can hitch a ride.

I feel like Tidal River -> Sealers Cove -> Refuge Cove / Refuge Cove -> Little Waterloo Bay-> Telegraph Junction -> Roaring Meg / Roaring Meg -> Telegraph Junction -> Oberon Bay -> Tidal River might be a good walk, possibly with the halfway hut instead of Roaring Meg. Bummer that the southernmost point is still 3.8 km (I assume one way only) from Roaring Meg, adding that might be pushing it to the limit.

[benjabimon]

Once you have gotten to Tidal River, the good news is that there is a bus that runs daily which goes from the visitor area, to the overnight car park, then up to Telegraph Saddle, and back again. So you're sorted!

[peregrinator]

OK, that was what I was thinking.

As for route suggestions, do you plan on driving to Tidal River? One thing to consider is that the road up to Telegraph Saddle is not really a good walking route and people beginning walks from the saddle normally park their vehicle there.

Unfortunately, I do not have a drivers licence, so I have to rely on public transport to get to the Prom. Walking it will be, unless I can hitch a ride.

I feel like Tidal River -> Sealers Cove -> Refuge Cove / Refuge Cove -> Little Waterloo Bay-> Telegraph Junction -> Roaring Meg / Roaring Meg -> Telegraph Junction -> Oberon Bay -> Tidal River might be a good walk, possibly with the halfway hut instead of Roaring Meg. Bummer that the southernmost point is still 3.8 km (I assume one way only) from Roaring Meg, adding that might be pushing it to the limit.

Depending on what time you start, you could reach Waterloo Bay on day 1. If so, for day 2, I'd suggest the longer but much more attractive route along the track to the lighthouse, then camp at Roaring Meg. You should have time to get to South Cape next morning (about two hours, including stops). The altitude change is only c.150m. Day 3 as you've written.

As benjabimon says, there is a bus from Tidal River to Telegraph Saddle, but unfortunately it does not operate every day. Here's what the Parks Vic website states:

A free shuttle bus operates between Tidal River and Telegraph Saddle during the summer and Easter school holidays and on weekends from November to April. Departure points include the Tidal River Visitor Centre carpark, the overnight hikers carpark (Tidal River) and Telegraph Saddle carpark.

A timetable is posted at all departure locations and the Tidal River Visitor Centre. Telegraph Saddle carpark is closed to vehicle access when the shuttle bus is in operation.

So unless you are there on a weekend in April, you are out of luck. You could probably hitch a ride but would have to hope someone is travelling early enough to not unduly delay your start. You could also face the same problem with the bus; I don't know what time the first one runs in the morning.

This raises another possible plan. Do the walk anti-clockwise. You should have no trouble hitching a lift back to Tidal River in the afternoon. But if you did, at least it's downhill all the way.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

There is a bus on Fridays from Spencer st/ Southern Cross to the Prom via Fish Creek. Get on the 1pm (?) service to Yarram and change at Fish creek for the connecting service which waits for the other bus to appear.You arrive at Tidal River at about 5 pm.

The same service runs the other way from Tidal River on Sundays at about 4 pm (?)
Check V/Line for details on line or ring them.
All this means a single over night hike doing the SE circuit is possible with a campsite at Refuge cove. doing about 17 kms per day with pre dawn departures on Sat. and Sun. in order to get everything done and meet the bus on Sunday.

[Toco]

There is a bus on Fridays from Spencer st/ Southern Cross to the Prom via Fish Creek. Get on the 1pm (?) service to Yarram and change at Fish creek for the connecting service which waits for the other bus to appear.You arrive at Tidal River at about 5 pm.

The same service runs the other way from Tidal River on Sundays at about 4 pm (?)
Check V/Line for details on line or ring them.
All this means a single over night hike doing the SE circuit is possible with a campsite at Refuge cove. doing about 17 kms per day with pre dawn departures on Sat. and Sun. in order to get everything done and meet the bus on Sunday.

From what I can make out of the V-line website, there is only a bus from Melbourne to Yarram (which stops at Fish Creek and Foster). I can not find a different bus that passes the Fish Creek stop. This busline was mentioned in my Lonely Planet too, but after previously searching for it online I read somewhere that it was discontinued.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Ring MOON'S Bus lines in South Gippsland and ask them !!!

[north-north-west]

Thank you paidal_chalne_vala and Auswalker for your possible itineraries. Seems like I have lot of possibilities. Overall, the distances seem rather short. Does this mean that the walk includes a lot of height differences or scrambling on rocks, or is it just because people in Australia are more laid-back ?

These times are designed for clueless tourists. There's a bit of up and down, but no scrambling and mostly very easy walking.
The entire southern loop, including the sidetrip to the lighthouse, can be done in three longer days. Hell, I once did it without the lighthouse leg in a single day (oh, what I would give to be young and fit again!).

[paidal_chalne_vala]

The bus has stopped running so don't ring Moon's bus lines.
Bunyip Tours website suggests that they offer an option to stay longer at Wilson's Promontory i.e. they will drop you off on one day tour then bring you back several days later on their next tour. This may be worth emailing Bunyip Tours at
info@bunyiptours.com
to check this out.

[Toco]

The bus has stopped running so don't ring Moon's bus lines.
Bunyip Tours website suggests that they offer an option to stay longer at Wilson's Promontory i.e. they will drop you off on one day tour then bring you back several days later on their next tour. This may be worth emailing Bunyip Tours at
info@bunyiptours.com
to check this out.

I contacted then earlier, but "health and safety regulations" do not allow for larger luggage than a day pack. I have made arrangements with the YHA in Foster, so that's sorted. Thanks for the help

[4paws]

I've hitchhiked a few times from Melbourne to the Prom, first by taking the Metro train to Cranbourne and then hitching a ride from there. The train station is right at the 420 and armed with a sign 'Wilsons Prom' it never took more than 15 minutes to catch a ride. It's the 420 until after Lang Lang where you'll have to take the 440 to Foster, but most drivers go that way anyway. If you're lucky your ride will bring you all the way to the Prom, but if not just hop out in Foster and catch a ride to the Prom from there. No worries in regards to the return journey, standing outside the visitor centre in Tidal River (after using the toilet block next to it to freshen up...) got me back the the city in no time at all. Obviously hitchhiking is a gamble, but not much more a headache than trying to patch together a trip by other means.

No problem in hiking the Prom on your own, it's both legal and safe (snakes may be the biggest threat there, but with the standard precautions (pay attention to where you step and stay away when you spot them) they're very unlikely to harm you). If you've done the GR20 (especially the northern part) then most of the Prom will be a stroll in the park for you (less elevation, better trail condition, better signposted, more water, more people - especially on weekends). Rather than doing day walks you could just do the full loop (Telegraph Saddle, Refuge Cove, Little Waterloo Bay, Roaring Meg, Oberon Bay and back to Tidal River). It's about 60km and can be done in two to 6 days (30km to 10km per day as the campsites are a maximum of 10km apart with the exception of the South East Track - Little Waterloo Bay to Roaring Meg - which is about 15km).

The time estimates provided by Parks Victoria are based on the going uphill. In other words from Telegraph Saddle car park to Sealers Cove may only take 2 hours, but going from Sealers Cove to Telegraph Saddle takes longer as most of it is uphill (conversely Telegraph Saddle to Refuge Cove will be around 4h, while the other direction - Refuge Cove to Telegraph Saddle - will take most people around 5h).

Finally, there's no hiking trail between Tidal River and Telegraph Saddle which means that either you have to walk up from Tidal River (where the park office, a shop and a restaurant are located) to Telegraph Saddle (which is only a parking lot with no services), or come down the same way if you start your hike at Tidal River. Telegraph Track which also starts at Telegraph Saddle is a fire road, easy to walk but rather dull.

The Southern Prom hikes are very popular and you may be able to join a group of people doing it. Just wait either at Telegraph Saddle, or the trail terminus at Tidal River. Plus you may meet people at the campsites in the evening, especially in Sealers Cove and Refuge Cove.

As paidal wrote you may want to have a look at the Northern Prom circuit. It's more demanding and I would not recommend it to do it alone as the trail between Lower Barry Creek and Chinaman Long Beach is swampy and badly marked, but otherwise very quiet and more of an adventure. You could call the park office and ask if there are any bookings for the northern circuit in the time you're there, maybe there's a chance to get into contact and join in?

[paidal_chalne_vala]

I have just done the Northern Prom Trek . The whole circuit, again!. It was insanely tough. If we did n't have the GPS with the c o ordinates for the campsites loaded onto it , then we would have been toast !

[Toco]

So I did my walk this weekend. I camped at Tidal River on Friday, left for LWB from Telegraph Saddle via Sealers and Refuge on Saturday (during the Easter break the free bus leaves every 30 mins starting from 800 until 1900). I witnessed an amazing sunrise at LWB on Sunday morning, then went past the light house to Roaring Meg, and visited the South Point after pitching my tent. On Monday, I walked back to Tidal River via Oberon Bay. It was a very nice route, the variety in the surroundings really surprised me. For instance, I've never had to cross a river running into the ocean before while walking, which was kinda cool The light house was a bit of a disappointment though, but that is probably mostly due to the very temporary "bad" weather I experienced there. Also, I found the asphalted road to the lighthouse very uncomfortable to walk on, I hurt my knee quite badly while descending back to the south eastern track. The campsites were nice, and I met some nice people on the way. The first day I saw Almost no one on the treack, which was nice. The other two days there were quite a few people walking in the opposite direction than I was walking. Also took the time to look for some geocaches on the route, which added an extra dimension to the trek.

I would definitely recommend this walk to anyone interested What an amazing place the Prom is! I would like to thank everyone who had suggestions in this topic, you guys considerably helped me in planning this amazing trip.

Cheers!

[paidal_chalne_vala]

The Southern Prom is beautiful , no doubt but it is nothing like the Northern Prom. The Northern Prom circuit is wild and hardcore. The Northern Prom . is Not for beginners at all.