Wilsons Promontory Weekend Roadtrip
Some things need to be seen to be believed. Wilsons Prom is no exception with a diverse change from the typical Victorian countryside.
Country Victoria, it’s had a tough run lately with fires tearing through a large part of the bushland over summer. While the devastation is definitely felt in the broader region, this hasn’t made those in the greater Gippsland area close up shop, if anything it has made them stronger and more determined than ever to bring back the once thriving holiday destination to it’s former glory. You have never had a better excuse than now to go and visit such a stunning part of this state a little over 2 hours out of Melbourne.
After rescheduling once already earlier in the year from bad weather, looking at the weather predictions the second time round in the week leading up it was not looking like the weather gods were going to be kind to us at all. It was at that point that we decided no matter what the weather threw at us, we would find a way to enjoy our time away and make the most of every minute.
This was the best thing we could have done. Knowing that rain was just around the corner on the first day we would run from the car down the gravel path to the lookout point before sprinting back trying to keep our feet and cover the camera at the same time. Dark moody skies had clouds rolling over our heads faster than we could snap away at the lighthouse on Cape Liptraps Southern point, just out of Walkerville.
On route to Wilsons Prom National Park we passed through a small little town by the name of Loch. Wondering if our GPS had thought we were Scotland bound we continued to follow it turn by turn. On arrival we were amazed at what this town offered! Within the single street there were 2 wine bars, a single pump petrol station and 3 high quality cafes. We settled on Olive at Loch with cabinets packed full of fresh locally sourced goodies we couldn’t go past the special of the day with home made fritters. Udder & Hoe sits directly across the road with a delicious menu on offer leaving you with a great town to stop in on your way down.
Staying half an hour out of Wilsons Prom at a fantastic little Air BnB in Fish Creek allowed us to get a solid nights sleep listening to the rain fall on the tin roof thinking of those camping further down in Tidal River. While waking up to the sun rising outside your tent sounds good in theory, knowing that you wouldn’t be left with a water bed half way through the night was a luxury at this point in time.
As the sun started to drop we headed 15 minutes North towards Meeniyan where we found the unbelievable Italian Restaurant - Trulli Woodfire Pizzeria. The pizza’s here blew us away coming out of such a small little country town with meals that would show the famous Lygon St in Carlton up any day of the week. It would have been rude to depart before sampling an ice cream or two from the gelato bar right next door.
Sunday morning, 8am and the runners were on. Laced up and ready to tackle a hike. Less than an hours drive was the main entrance gates to the spectacular Wilsons Promontory National Park that doesn’t cost a cent (how good is Australia)! Greeted by flowing green hills with sweeping corners and side roads leading to pristine water that I have found no where else in Victoria, I am amazed it has taken me this long to venture this far down in Gippsland.
Our first hike for the day being Mount Oberon where native wildlife lines the paddocks alongside the road; kangaroos, and wombats a plenty. As we went in peak season (January) there is a shuttle bus running from Tidal river carpark on a 30 minute schedule up to the starting point of Mount Oberon. This bus runs only on weekends from now until April as the car park at the top is quite small and mostly filled with overnight hikers making it tricky at busy times to grab a space.
When boarding the bus we’re amazed to be the only ones on there, Sunday morning 9am and it’s like the rest of the town is still asleep? The bus driver tells us how quiet it has been this year because of various global events taking tourists away from the region. He makes the most of the quiet morning but knows an empty bus leaves his job in the balance.
Reaching the summit of Mount Oberon took us 45 minutes walking at a fairly steady pace. Make sure to allow time at the top as the views are absolutely stunning! Watching waves roll in trying to keep your feet as the wind rips up the cliff, it’s hard to believe you’re still in Victoria.
Next up was Squeaky beach. What was described as “some of the whitest sand in Australia” did not disappoint at all. After living on Hamilton Island it is always hard to take anyone serious when they compare sand to Whitehaven beach but this truely was something else. Red rocks glow along the cliffs edge as the fluorescent white sand dazzles your eyes and meets the pristine blue water running the distance of the bay. While you won’t be catching too many waves here it is a great place to spend a few hours relaxing taking in everything the perfect secluded spot has to offer.
Last on the list, The Big Drift. Just as the name states, this unique spot is home to Victoria’s biggest sand dunes with views out to the ocean. It is crazy to think there is no direct beach access from here. Landlocked and quite strange at first being surrounded by dense bushland, accessing this is through none less than a farmers paddock in true country style alongside herds of cows. This is by no means a step out the car and gaze out the window but an easy 20 minute walk inland before a steep ascent climbing towards the summit of the dunes has you smack bang in the middle of this little mini desert. Dried branches are a sharp contrast to the luscious greenery that surrounds the rest of the national park.
A jam packed weekend was exactly what the doctor ordered. Getting out of the city and mixing with the friendly furry locals made for an unforgettable weekend. Clocking up 500kms in only 2 days had us running between destinations but still allowed us plenty of time to explore each spot with no shortage of day light hours. There is so much I could recommend checking out but at the end of the day as you’re driving along, view points pop up, weather changes so quickly, wombats are spotted so it really is hard to plan the exact itinerary until you’re down here. Now it’s time to throw in you #EmptyEsky and explore Gippsland!
