4 April 2012 - Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria

One of the joys of travelling the way we are is to be able to change our itinerary at a whim, and this is what we did today.

We left our excellent camp at Yanakie after waking to the calls and cries of crows, corellas, magpies and distant cattle, and drove the few kilometres south to the entrance of the National Park. The office was empty but signs directed us to continue on into the park, and so we did, driving down across the narrow flat isthmus toward the mountainous ranges to our south. All of the road is sealed and most of it in better order than the rest of the Victorian roads we have travelled so far. Once we arrived at the low hills and drove up and over the Dalby saddle, we saw remnants of the flood damage suffered in March 2011. Many of the roads and walking tracks are still closed, and there are great scars where water has caused slips on the mountain sides. This latter feature is one rarely seen here in Australia, unlike in New Zealand. The land here is so much older and more stable than that across the Tasman. As we drove on down toward Tidal River and the sea, we were most taken with the place, and it was an easy decision to check out the availability of a camp spot. This may seem a rather strange matter, to query such when the park boasts four hundred and eight four campsites; twenty with power, the rest without. This does not include the lodges and cabins also available, however tomorrow is the Thursday before Easter, and the first week of the school holidays is already well underway. We had no problem securing a site for tonight but from now until the end of Easter, the camp is entirely booked out.

Wilsons Promontory National Park covers 50,000 hectares of bush, and sits at the most southern point of mainland Australia. Its geological features include the Verdeker, La Trobe and Wilson Ranges, Mount Bishop 319 metres above sea level, Mount Oberon at 585 metres and Mount Wilson at 705 metres. These are not very high compared to many we have been to the top of over the past few weeks, however these rise almost directly from the sea and seem so much more imposing.

Before lunch we walked down to Norman Beach and walked barefoot across the very flat fine sandy beach to the far end, and then back again. It is a stunning beach, with just a few “ramp” entrances down over the dunes. There were a surprising number of people braving the surf and an even greater amount playing in the shallows of the river.

Checking out dinner

After lunch we went for a walk of just over seven kilometres, upriver and up into the Lilly Pilly Gully, through heath lands over the top of the hill and then down into rain forest of tree ferns, tea tree and gums. It was quite lovely; the sun continued to shine and the views were spectacular. It should be noted here that the weather over the past few days has not only been fine, but far less cold. We have been able to sleep without the mountains of wool and wincyette we had resorted to.

We sat quietly enjoying our late afternoon coffee outside listening to the children all about and the many birds; seagulls who seem to enjoy holding meetings on our roof and red parrots who are fascinated with our gas bottles, gas barbeque and generally quite friendly. We will have to leave tomorrow but will make the most of the park before we are forced out by the frantic city folk all converging on Wilsons Promontary.