Wilsons Promontory

Here is a tip when you are down and under. Go to the southern tip of mainland Australia and explore Wilsons Promontory, and it will be worth the trip. Even if you are down and under, your spirits will be lifted way up high with heavenly scenery and experiences from Victoria's most loved and scenic national Parks.

Wilsons Promontory National Park ('The Prom' is its endearing term coined by Victorian people) is among Victoria's most famous attractions. This peninsula that is the southernmost part of mainland of Australia has a 130 kilometre coastline known for the spectacular and superb beauty of its scenery including the largest area of coastal wilderness in Victoria. This 50,000 hectares of rugged and tamed attraction is renowned for granite headlands and other fascinating rock formations, lush and cool fern gullies and forests, secluded sparkling beaches, abundant wildlife and amazing mountain views.

The drive from the entry point at Yanakie to Tidal River settlement is such a welcome sight and surprise, so scenic and so relaxing yet exciting. Although the road is well-signposted, it is advised that tourists proceed with slow and careful driving for abundant wildlife and superb nature tripping and viewing wait. Access to car parks, beaches and bushland is easy via side roads, but it is best to enjoy nature's best spectacles on any of the many park's walking trails.

Wilsons Promontory is famous for its walking tracks. There are about 30 walks that vary in degree of difficulty and length and cover 130 kilometres of tracks. The tracks start mainly from Tidal River and traverse to varied locations of coves, beaches and lookouts. Accommodation and camping supplies are available at Tidal River's starting points.

The trek to Mt. Oberon's summit presents unsurpassed panoramas. It provides great views of the Prom and its rugged coastline and the vegetation that change along with the altitude. Some of the short walks lead to Squeaky Beach, Picnic Bay beach and Whisky Bay beach. Longer routes may lead to Cotters Beach and Vereker Lookout. The Prom Lighthouse Trek that covers 38 kilometres is a nice challenge with exciting surprises waiting along the way for trekkers. There is available accommodation in the cottage of the lighthouse keeper overlooking Bass Strait.

Other interesting and enjoyable activities at Wilsons Promontory are fishing, diving and swimming. The Tidal River and Norman Bay's offer of sand and swim are delightful and safe even for children. Many other beaches are available for diving and swimming but stronger currents call for safety considerations.

Wilsons Promontory Marine Park and Marine Reserve protect the waters in the park and support a huge resource of marine life, making the park ideal for diving and fishing. However, fishing is permitted only in the Wilsons Promontory Marine Park and not in the Marine National Park.

Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park has a size of 15,550 hectares that lies along 70 kilometers of mainland coastline. This is the largest of Australia's Marine National Parks. Located around the southern tip of the Wilsons Promontory National Park, it incorporates the existing Wilsons Promontory Marine Reserve. Much of Wilsons Promontory's terrestrial areas have been reserved to prioritize the conservation of nature.

Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park features superb underwater scenery as granite cliffs plunge below the surface. Huge granite boulders and pinnacles, glittering white or yellow sand, carpets of seaweed in a wide array of colors are a feast for the eyes of beholders. Deep reefs, sponges, ascidians, sea whips, fish such as those with funny sounding names like Bastard Trumpeter, Saddled Wrasse, and Old Wife and other marine entities make the place bursting and bubbling with life. The park also has islands that are sanctuaries for penguins and seabirds and breeding grounds for Australian Fur Seals.

Visitors to the park are invited to take a walk along Squeaky Beach. "Singing sands" will welcome them. The dry pure white quartz sand does not only sparkle, it sings when it is walked upon. Because of this squeaking sound, it was named Squeaky Beach. The rock formations at the northern part and some moderate slopes of the beach offer a maze of passages and challenging obstacles for exploration.

Another interesting activity is taking the Lilly Pilly Gully Circuit Nature Walk. It is a 5.8 kilometer walk that starts and ends at the Lilly Pilly Gully Carpark. It highlights its absorbing and fascinating nature trail that brings more surprises to its tongue-twisting name. The path introduces strollers to the valley's birds and plants and the ideal places to spot local koalas and also the places of yabbies. People can also look for a blackwood tree that has grown on soft tree ferns.

The Prom is indeed a promising place for precious experiences of adventure and wonders of nature.