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wilsons promontory

Guided group tour
7 day itinerary

highlights

Spend a night at a remote lighthouse
Exquisite beaches, idyllic coves, rocky headlands
Huge variety of habitats - woodlands, warm temperate rainforest, rocky mountain peaks, headlands, beaches
Stay in eco cottages at Tidal River right inside the National Park

Wilsons Promontory, or “The Prom” as it is affectionately known, is a vast granite promontory that teems with wildlife and offers walkers endless opportunities to explore. It’s about 200km, or 3 hours driving, south-east of Melbourne. There are rocky headlands, remote beaches, idyllic coves, coastal scrub lands, warm temperate rainforests, swamps, tall eucalypt forest and more.

One of the Prom's many pristine beaches

The Prom butts savagely into Bass Strait and is the southernmost point of mainland Australia. During the colder months it receives a beating from the weather, with wind, rain and powerful oceans all throwing their energy at the coastline. Fortunately, the tall granite mountains of the Prom are up to the task, resolutely resisting the Bass Strait weather. Springtime and autumn are a stark contrast with long sunny days and refreshing ocean breezes.

Early in the 19th century Europeans plundered the area for its bountiful harvest of seals. Some time after sealing came the foresters, keen to supply timber to the growing colony. Fortunately, forestry did not last a long time and was eventually replaced by farming on the rich well-watered country just north of the Prom, known as Gippsland to Victorians. From 1898, Wilsons Promontory has been protected as one of the oldest reserves in Australia.

The 30km scenic drive through the park to Tidal River is the only road access, which means the park needs to be explored on foot. We’ll take you to the well-visited highlights as well as far off the beaten track to those special secret places. Great granite boulders, tall forests, coastal heathlands, massive paperbark swamps, sweeping sandy beaches and crystal clear surf feature on our walks. We’ll climb several lofty peaks that offer stunning panoramas. There is also a lot of wildlife including wombats, koalas, wallabies, emus and numerous birds.

The walks are graded to prepare you for the final overnight hike to the very remote Wilson’s Promontory Lighthouse. It’s around 20km in to the lighthouse and another 20km out by a different route - a fitting culmination to a week of rewarding hiking. As usual, an easier option will be available. This special place feels like a sanctuary of peace and tranquility, a feeling that even the wild coastal storms enhance.

Stunning views from the top of rocky peaks

The tremendous breadth of scenery on offer makes this park extremely popular, so we've chosen a time of year that is fabulous for walking but avoids the busy tourist season. Just like other visitors, you are sure to come back to the Prom again and again!

location
This holiday starts and finishes in Melbourne.

travel
Air conditioned mini bus. Total travel distance 1000km

grading
You should be in reasonable shape, but there’s certainly no need to be an iron man! If you choose the harder options then full day walks generally involve 6-8 hours on the track, travelling at a moderate pace – up to 22km. Alternatively, you can join our second guide for shorter, less demanding walks. You can mix and match from day to day, without any pressure to join either group. You will need to carry a daypack each day, containing basic essential items such as lunch, water, jacket etc.. Everyone on this holiday needs sturdy, quality footwear and it is essential to be prepared for variable weather, from cold, wet, windy weather, to quite hot days.

The Prom offers walking for all levels of ability. Those who long to linger on pristine beaches and smell the wildflowers will enjoy the easier options as they will be much shorter and will not include as much elevation gain/loss. Those who want to test themselves will be offered some long hard walks including the overnight hike into the lighthouse.

accommodation
On 4 nights we will stay in cosy eco cottages in a bushland setting at Tidal River, right in the heart of the National Park. On one night we will hike into Wilson’s Promontory lighthouse and stay at the historic lightkeepers’ cottages in shared rooms with shared facilities. This hike will be optional – you can stay in Foster at a motel and do shorter walks with one of the guides if you prefer. Those who choose to hike into the lighthouse will need to carry their own clothing and a small amount of group food (supplied by Auswalk) for the night. These cottages require a walk of about 20km each way. It is the only occasion on any of our walks that Auswalkers need to carry their supplies, but we are confident that the destination will be worth the effort of a slightly greater load! We estimate that each walker will need to carry about 5-7kg, which is just a bit heavier than a usual daypack. The lightkeepers’ cottages have two bathrooms for the group. On the last night we will all stay at a comfortable motel in nearby Foster.

what's included
Accommodation, most meals (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners), 2 guides, all transport from Melbourne Airport, national park fees, information booklets, insulated lunch bag, map case, notes, maps.

not included
Alcohol, additional meals.

departure dates
27 April 2009
Also available for private groups

itinerary guide - 7 days
(includes 6 nights accommodation)

Day 1: 10am start at Melbourne airport. Travel through the outskirts of Melbourne en route to the new Cranbourne Botanical Gardens. Here we’ll do a short walk through eucalypt forest. Travel through to the northern section of Wilsons Promontory National Park for an afternoon walk. Easy sheltered banksia and eucalypt forest walks give way to a more challenging walk up to Vereker Lookout. There are many granite boulders here, offering magnificent views across Corner Inlet Coastal park. Then it’s on to Tidal River, well known to Victorians who each summer fill the 480 campsites and 200 cabin beds to overflowing. Fortunately we’ll be here at a quieter time of year! Overnight at Tidal River.

Day 2:
A full day of walking featuring some of the Prom’s exquisite coves and rocky headlands. Highlights include a picnic lunch at delightful Fairy Cove, vast rocky expanses at Tongue Point and a well-graded climb over two lookouts to Darby Saddle. Finish the day with an optional hike to the summit of Mt Oberon or an easy stroll along Norman Bay beach. Overnight at Tidal River

Warm temperate rainforest boardwalk

Day 3: Without any doubt, today’s walk is one of the most outstanding in the entire country. There is lots of variety here, from the spectacular Sealers Cove to sheltered coastal paperbark swamps, heathlands and dense forests. The walk is “out-and-back”, so there is plenty of flexibility with the distance. Overnight at Tidal River

Day 4: Today’s walk is one continuous route with several optional side trips along the way. We’ll explore some of the many exquisite bays including Squeaky Beach, Picnic Bay and Whisky Bay. For anyone up to the walk, there is also a steep climb to Mt Bishop for more great views overlooking the rugged western coastline. Overnight at Tidal River

Day 5: This is the big one – the overnight hike to the southern tip of the Prom to spend the night in lighthouse keepers cottages there. We’ve arranged this hike so that you don’t need to retrace your steps – we take a different route out tomorrow. The lighthouse is in a grand, remote location, built on top of a high granite dome. As the southernmost point of mainland Australia, the weather is usually rough and windy…no swimming here! As well as your usual day pack items you'll need to carry any other clothing and toiletries plus a sheet. Your guide will prepare dinner in the cottage. If you're not up to this overnight hike, we will offer an easier walk in the area then return to Foster for the night with the second guide. Overnight at Wilson’s Promontory Lighthouse, or at Foster.

Day 6: After breakfast the Lighthouse walkers will return to Tidal River, but instead of walking along the middle of the Prom, we’ll turn off to Oberon Bay, then follow the absolutely gorgeous beach and walking track northwards. The other group will walk in and meet the lighthouse walkers at lunchtime, then walk together into Tidal River. Overnight at Foster.

Day 7: After breakfast, we’ll travel back to Melbourne, arriving at the airport about 1pm.

fact sheet
Would you like more detailed information about this trip?

Download our Wilsons Promontory Group Guided Walking Holiday Fact Sheet.

Note: If you are having trouble opening this Fact Sheet, please click on the link to download the latest version of Adobe Reader. http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html?promoid=BUIGO

prices
See the prices section

how to book
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