Sensory overload - Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria

Returning from a place of wonderful, natural beauty there seems so much to share, and a couple of years ago we were lucky enough to have the story of our one-week walk in Wilsons Promontory National Park published in Wild magazine. But, what to do with all the amazing photos Caz took. The magazine only needed three of them to illustrate the long narrative. What of the powder white beaches, the lush green forest, a sparkling turquoise ocean and colourful, sweet-scented flowers at our feet? 

On a personal note, I am hoping that by posting more photos and some of the highlights of that trip, that it will inspire someone I know to visit "The Prom" for their first multi-day hiking experience! I can never guarantee another's experience will be anything like ours but, with some planning and a bit of luck, we found Wilson's Promontory to be a rare wilderness idyll.

For the full story, visit Wild magazine online and order your back copy of Issue 145.

Day 1 – Telegraph Saddle to Sealers Cove campground 10.2km

"Stepping aside, I let some girls in bikini tops and sandals go past and then a group of young walkers with large, festooned backpacks. One of them has tiny speakers sitting on the outside of his bag and 'doof doof' music is pumping out. I guess it takes all sorts to love a wilderness and it gets me thinking about the ability of the natural world to reach so many different people – the way sand and salt and the delicious fragrances of the forest infuse lungs and skin...."

Day 2 – Sealers Cove to Little Waterloo Bay 13.4km

"It is a surprisingly hot and steep walk from the cove up to Kersops Peak, one of the few high points on this walk, at 204m. But here we are greeted by a tropical paradise fantasy...The ocean is exquisite shades of green and blue edged by blinding white beaches and dark hills. On the horizon float marvelous rocky islands....It is the sort of enticing view that stirs a walker's curiosity – what is down there in that beautiful bay, how can I get to those wild rocky islands, what is in the forest on those hills."

Day 3 – Little Waterloo Bay to Roaring Meg 17.4km.

"At Wilsons Promontory Light Station two friendly lighthouse caretakers are gardening. They greet us warmly and, even though we have decided not to stay at the lighthouse, they happily show us through the accommodation houses. The whitewashed buildings are beautifully maintained and feel airy and welcoming..."

"A flock of twenty Gang-gang cockatoos are clambering around the tree-tops. I watch them for ages; their bright red heads nodding as they chat and bicker before, one-by-one, they fly off to another section of forest..."

Roaring Meg

Day 4 – Roaring Meg to Oberon Bay 9.4km

"The park protects 50,460 hectares and it contains unique plants and ecosystems from cool temperate rainforest dominated by Myrtle Beech through to White Mangrove, which is the southernmost occurrence of mangroves in the world. On our penultimate day, we emerge from the lush forests around Roaring Meg Creek and onto the high heath covered plateau around Martins Hill. The variety of plants is extraordinary with many of them in flower..."

Day 5 – Oberon Bay to Tidal River 7.6km 

"It is a grey, drizzly morning as we set off on the final short walk back to our car. There is not enough rain to obscure the tracks of a wombat that has meandered across the sandy slopes of Little Oberon Bay during the night. We notice it stops to inspect and nudge the dead muttonbirds scattered along the sand..."

Wilsons Promontory National Park boasts the best network of walking trails in Victoria and I have to agree that there is a loop walk to suit all levels of experience. There is, as you can see, so much beauty to share and so much to discover for yourself.

The full version of this story first appeared in Issue 145 of Wild magazine as Sand, Salt and Forest.

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