More than 400,000 visitors each year can’t be wrong: Wilson’s
Promontory National Park, on Victoria’s south-east coast, is something
very special. Victoria’s oldest national park, encompassing 50,000
hectares of land the southernmost tip of mainland Australia, has
pristine beaches, carefully preserved forests and a range of
accommodation options. If you’re lucky enough to secure yourself a stay
at ‘the Prom’ (school holidays are balloted a year in advance…), Hannah
Foster has you covered with the top ten things to do at this much-loved
piece of hiking and holidaying heaven.
1. Walk to historic Sealers Cove[post_ads_2]
This 19-kilometre (return) walk can be accomplished in a day and
takes you through mountains, temperate rainforest and ultimately to one
of the Prom’s most beautiful, sheltered and secluded beaches. It’s a
huge improvement on what Sealer’s Cove was used for a hundred years ago,
when it was the site of significant sealing and whaling activity and
later, timber logging.
2. Overnight lighthouse stay
Wilsons Promontory Lightstation is super remote, accessible only by
sea or a day-long hike from Tidal River or Telegraph Saddle car park.
Hikers can stay overnight in one of three of the lighthouse’s cottages.
For romantics, the Banks Cottage has a queen bed, private bathroom and
uninterrupted views out over Bass Strait.
3. Open-air cinema
Seeing a new release film outdoors at Tidal River Cinema is part of the classic Prom experience. At intermission, grab an espresso or hot chocolate when you will most likely spot one of the resident wombats who break in to snaffle up any popcorn that’s fallen on the ground. Pro tip: BYO cushion and blanket, because the seats can get uncomfortable and very cold once the sun goes down!4. Glamping luxury at Tidal River
The Prom’s latest accommodation option, these safari-style large permanent tents are situated in a quiet part of Tidal River and are the ultimate in glamping, with timber floors, a queen bed and a communal kitchen for Wilderness Retreat guests.5. See black swans and the world’s southern-most mangroves
The northern part of the Prom doesn’t get nearly as many visitors, but Miller’s Landing, near the park entrance, is an easy walk with the chance to see flora and fauna you wouldn’t normally associate with the Prom, including large flocks of black swans.6. Eat hot chips on Norman Bay beach
Why? Because it’s hot chips. On the beach. And because Norman Bay is a wide, white, postcard-ready beach with decent surf at one end and a kid-friendly tidal river at the other.7. Wildlife spotting, Loo Errn Boardwalk track
Spotting native animals out in the wild never gets tiring. Around the Loo Errn you’ll most likely see wombats, but also look out for various types of wallabies, echidnas, native swap rats, several types of tiny marsupials and native birds. Pro tip: No matter how cute, never interfere with the wildlife or try to feed them your food, it’s dangerous for you and for them.8. Watch the sun set from the top of Mt Oberon
The hike up this mountain is worth it for the view at any time of day, but seeing the sun set over the ocean, casting pink to golden light across Tidal River below, is something very special.[post_ads_2]
Pro tip: Once the sun goes down it gets very dark very quickly, so take a good torch with you for the walk back down the mountain.
9. Attend a ranger talk at the Visitor Centre
Parks Victoria offers a great schedule of academic speakers and kids activities that you can attend while at the Prom. With a long and complex history and amazing biodiversity, there’s a lot to learn. Plus, it’s a good alternative to your tent on a rainy day!10. Take a cruise around the Prom’s coastline
Much of the water around the Prom is a marine national park, with seabird colonies, fur seals, leatherback turtles and visiting whales. Full day cruises around the Prom’s coastline are a way to see this unique destination from a different perspective.[post_ads_2]
For more information see Parks Victoria
An escapee from corporate law, freelance travel writer Hannah Foster is a Melbourne local who blogs atnorthmelbournelife.com and contributes to a number of other lifestyle publications.
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