Bushwalk Australia

My beginner bushwalker g/f wants to go to Wilson's Prom on an overnight walk and I was wondering what walk would be good for a beginner? I was thinking of Tidal River car park to Oberon Bay (7.6 km). According to the Parks Victoria web site there is currently no water at Oberon Bay bit that message is dated 4 April 2013. Would this be a good walk for a beginner and what is the current water situation? Also, what would be some good extensions to this walk in the event she feels she could go further after having got to Oberon Bay? Pictures of the campsite at Oberon Bay looks like it is very sandy. Is there any non-sandy area to camp at Oberon?

Thanks,

David

I am now thinking of going to Sealers Cove as an alternative. I understand you have to cross the tidal river within two hrs of low tide which means at the moment that an early start is needed as low tide is around 11am to 12pm at the moment (or late at night) and I will be coming from Melbourne...so 6am start from Melbourne. Is there any alternative to wading across the river?

David M wrote: Is there any alternative to wading across the river?

No, but the creek (it isn't a river) is easily crossed at the time you're planning.

I've never camped at Oberon Bay so I can't comment on what it is like to camp there, It has never appealed to me when I've walked through the camp. I do like Sealers but it has been awhile since I've been there and I'm not sure if the track has been reopened from telegraph saddle. You would need to check on that. Yes you do have to cross a tidal creek, its usually around knee deep at low tide to about waist deep at high tide. The walk is only about 10km and not that strenuous.
Waterloo Bay is another alternative and also a nice camp.

Snowzone wrote:I've never camped at Oberon Bay so I can't comment on what it is like to camp there, It has never appealed to me when I've walked through the camp. I do like Sealers but it has been awhile since I've been there and I'm not sure if the track has been reopened from telegraph saddle. You would need to check on that. Yes you do have to cross a tidal creek, its usually around knee deep at low tide to about waist deep at high tide. The walk is only about 10km and not that strenuous.
Waterloo Bay is another alternative and also a nice camp.

I'd agree that Oberon Bay campsite looks fairly uninspiring.

The track to Sealers Cove (etc.) has been reopened.

Regarding the original post's question about further walks from a camp, from Sealers to Kersops Peak and back is well worth doing.

I've camped at Oberon Bay, although a while ago now. It is okay, but to get a beginner involved I'd go for Sealers or Waterloo Bay for a better first impression of hiking. Crossing Sealers Creek isn't too bad. At high tide you might get wet up to your thighs but I'd expect knee depth at most. First - carry your pack over, then carry your GF over, than carry her pack over - easy.

Between Little Oberon Bay and Sealers Cove, I'd go Sealers' Cove hands down. The only thing is you'll be starting at elevation (Telegraph Saddle car park) then making your way down to Sealers Cove which means you'll need to walk back up to the car park the next day.

I did the eastern circuit starting from Telegraph Saddle in late July and below is a photo of Sealers Creek when we crossed it around low-ish tide. The water went up to about our knees maybe 50-60cms and it was freezing! On the other hand, if you don't want to/can't cross the creek, there's another camp site before you the crossing but I think it's meant for boaters. Can't see why you can't camp there as well though (just gotta let management know I guess?)

To throw a spanner in the works, I was there last month and there was only one couple staying at Oberon. At a guess, I would say it's one of the less attended sites. Go in the middle of the week in the hopes that you get the place to yourselves.

The camp sites themselves aren't anything special - sandy soil, but sheltered and not in need of a fancy pitch. The real gem is Oberon bay itself, which is about a 2 minute walk from your tent. Pack something to cut the wind out and a bottle of red - head down to the beach and enjoy the sunset together.

There was water at Oberon when I went there last - the ranger told me there wasn't, I suspect they 1. don't get out there much and 2. loathe unprepared walkers and warn them of the impending apocalypse when they head off.

If you want some trail notes for tidal river to oberon you can find some in an old trip report I posted here: viewtopic.php?f=46&t=10646

David M wrote:My beginner bushwalker g/f wants to go to Wilson's Prom on an overnight walk and I was wondering what walk would be good for a beginner? I was thinking of Tidal River car park to Oberon Bay (7.6 km). According to the Parks Victoria web site there is currently no water at Oberon Bay bit that message is dated 4 April 2013. Would this be a good walk for a beginner and what is the current water situation? Also, what would be some good extensions to this walk in the event she feels she could go further after having got to Oberon Bay? Pictures of the campsite at Oberon Bay looks like it is very sandy. Is there any non-sandy area to camp at Oberon?

Thanks,

David

Oberon Bay is nice from memory, however all of the campsites from memory are sandy, but nothing that will make it hard to pitch a tent. That's my memory from my last trip there, which would had to have been at least 15 years ago now, not sure if much has changed though. Lots to see around there though, the beach is lovely.

If you wanted to do an alternative that I'd suggest is more interesting, I'd walk in to Little Waterloo Bay, via Oberon Bay. I think its around 16 - 18kms or so from memory from Tidal River, but its all relatively flat and easy walking, with some really pretty views. May be a little too long for a beginner, however it could be shortened by leaving from Telegraph Saddle (12km in total), although that means that you have a 6km road bash. Little Waterloo Bay is an absolute gem though, much to see and explore around the rocks as well. If I were to pick a place to take my girlfriend, that'd definitely be the place.

Thanls for everyone's advice on this. I took a video of the creek at Sealers Cove and uploaded to YouTube (and also my first YouTube vid...).

http://youtu.be/-Tq04a16Rlo

A note on that creek crossing. I've never ever had an issue not being able to cross it. It's always been anywhere from ankle deep to knee deep.

Unless much has changed since my last visit.

From memory, there used to be an unmarked track that followed sealers creek from the bridge near the beach (when coming down from Telegraph Saddle), to the camping area. It used to be on some maps, but not sure if the track exists anymore at all.

David M - Hope you had a great trip!