Gippsland (part 2)

Wilsons Promontory

Wilsons Promontory or 'The Prom', as it is fondly called, is one of Victoria’s best-known attractions at the southernmost point of mainland Australia.
Renowned for its spectacular scenery, the 50,000 hectare national park features magnificent and secluded beaches, cool fern gullies, great views, spectacular rock formations and an abundance of wildlife.

The drive from the entrance at Yanakie to Tidal River settlement is scenic and is well-signposted, with car parks, beaches and bushland accessible via side roads. However, the best way to enjoy the spectacular scenery is on one of the many walking trails throughout the peninsula.

Outdoor activities
The area is renowned for its walking tracks – more than 30 walks cover 130 kilometres of tracks varying in length and difficulty. The tracks extend principally from Tidal River (where accommodation, supplies and camping are available) and lead to a range of secluded beaches, coves and lookouts.

The walk to the summit of Mt Oberon provides unsurpassed views of the Prom and its rugged coastline. Other short walks take you to Squeaky Beach, Picnic Bay beach and Whisky Bay beach, while longer walks can be made to Cotters Beach and Vereker Lookout. Experienced walkers should try the 38-kilometre (roundtrip) Prom Lighthouse Trek. Accommodation is available in the lighthouse keeper’s cottage overlooking Bass Strait.

Other popular activities that can be enjoyed at the Prom include swimming, diving and fishing. Norman Bay Beach and Tidal River offer safe swimming. Many of the other beaches are accessible, but strong currents make them less safe. The waters surrounding the park are protected by the Wilsons Promontory Marine Park and Marine Reserve and support a wealth of marine life making it an ideal place to go diving. Fishing is permitted in the Wilsons Promontory Marine Park, however not in the Marine National Park.

Wildlife
With its remote and relatively inaccessible location, and its status as a protected national park for over 100 years, Wilsons Promontory is an important refuge for a diverse range of native wildlife.

Around half of Victoria’s bird species and a third of its mammals, both rare and common, are can be found amongst its vegetation, be it rainforest, tall open forests, woodlands, heathland, or coastal communities.

The park protects over 40 rare or threatened fauna species, including the long-nosed potoroo, eastern pygmy-possum, orange-bellied parrot and New Holland mouse. While some of the rarer or nocturnal animals are less likely to be found, species such as wombats, emus, kangaroos, wallabies and rosellas are commonly seen around visitor areas and near the walking tracks. Most of the Prom’s native animals are at their most active early in the morning or around dusk.

From the moment you enter the park, the native wildlife is never far away. Almost halfway from the park entrance to Tidal River the road passes an open grassy area populated by a large mob of eastern grey kangaroos, usually grazing or resting in the shade. This is also a good spot to see emus, wombats and wedge-tailed eagles.

As you drive into Tidal River, the park’s only service centre, it is impossible not to notice the flock of crimson rosellas, with their dazzling colours darting and swooping through the trees. Wombats also emerge from their burrows in the late afternoon to graze quietly in the coastal scrub around the tracks and on grassy areas near the campsites.

Accommodation
Tidal River, 30 kilometres from the park entrance, has most facilities, including an informative Visitor Centre and general store. There’s a range of accommodation from group lodges and cabins to campsites and beyond Tidal River there are outstation campsites for hikers at scenic spots. Smaller villages in Prom Country such as Yanakie, Fish Creek and Foster offer a range of accommodation for all budgets, within easy driving distance of the park, including self–contained cabins, caravan parks, motels, friendly B&Bs and farmstays.

You’ll need to plan ahead to stay on the Prom itself, as demand for accommodation is generally very high.

Getting there
Wilsons Promontory is just 3 hours from Melbourne. Access is from the South Gippsland Highway via Meeniyan or Foster. Open daily – fees apply.