Sunday 19th May 2019
After a restless sleep on the boat last night we head on our way. When we went to sleep last night we though we might drive home over a couple of days, this morning we decided to head to Wilson’s Promontory National Park for a bit of a look.
It was still dark as we disembarked from the boat at about 6.30am and we enjoyed a beautiful sunrise as we drove through the city centre of Melbourne. Then on to the freeway for a while (boring says DB, I love the roads in Tassie better) before heading back to the countryside.
We arrived at the National Park at about 10.30am and after getting some information at the Visitor’s Centre we had a decision to make. Would we do an overnight hike or a couple of day hikes. With the imminent weather forecast (plus 2-6mm rain) for tomorrow we opted for a couple of short walks. Maybe next time we can do the overnight loop hike down to Roaring Meg, the lighthouse, Waterloo Bay and Sealers Cove. So we went on a walk to Pillar Point (4.8km return) before lunch. Pillar Point is an outcrop of granite boulders which provide breathtaking views of Norman and Squeaky Beaches and the Prom’s offshore islands. This was a beautiful walk past the Tidal River which was so still and like a mirror today. It was quite spectacular. The walk was an easy uphill walk along a very well maintained track. The view of Norman Beach on the way was also beautiful – blue, crystal clear water with a lovely rolling wave. We needed our boards again. Then at Point Pillar the view out to the Beaches – both Norman and Squeaky – was picturesque.
We then had lunch and headed off on our 2nd walk. A summit hike to the top of Mt Oberon (7km return). This we did as a power walk up a vehicle maintenance trail, a continuous climb, but quite an easy hike up 300m to the summit of Mt Oberon (558m above sea level). The summit offered panoramic views over Tidal River, the coast and offshore islands. Although it was a steady climb for 3.5km it was an easy walk due to the tracks conditions so it was like Pitt Street in peak hour, along the track and at the top. The views were spectacular here as well. We then hot footed it down again, with the whole walk with 20mins at the top only taking 1hr 40mins.
We then went for a walk on the Prom Nature trail where we were delighted to see emus, kangaroos and wombats at close range. They were obviously used to people as they didn’t shy away much at all. This was a 2.3km loop trail. So we ended up walking about 14km in all today, although a lot easier than the hikes of the last few days.
We didn’t stay at Wilson’s Promontory as the unpowered sites were $58.10 per night. So we headed out of the National Park to Foster. Getting us about 45 minutes on our way for tomorrow. Destination tomorrow to be decided. Yet again!
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Disembarking at 6.30am from the ‘Spirit of Tasmania I’ in Port Melbourne
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Our first friend at Wilson’s Promontory National Park – The Crimson Rosella.
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Tidal River was quite spectacular..
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..we took photos from many different angles..
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..all equally as good..
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..and unable to decide on which one was best..
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..so you got to see them all.
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Norman Beach, the wave was lovely and the water a beautiful blue.
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View from Pillar Point..
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..the view was quite spectacular..
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..looking back to Norman Beach..
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..our French backpacker buddies took a photo for us at Pillar Pt.
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Another photo at Tidal River.
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Almost to the top of the walk to Mt Oberon. Microwave dishes – with a detailed description of the way parabolic dishes work – Lucky Me!!
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Pretty flowers at Mt Oberon
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The view from Mt Oberon was amazing..
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..from every direction..
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..we could even see Norman Beach..
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Looking out to Norman Beach from the top of Mt Oberon..
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..just a couple of people up there. You can see why we like doing tougher climbs, it reduces the traffic and the number of people you have to share the view with. It was standing room only today.
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..but worth it for the view. Can’t always be greedy.
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A raven at the top of Mt Oberon.
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Emus and a kangaroo. Our own Coat of Arms. David was trying to get a wombat, a kangaroo and an emu in one photo yesterday. It was nnot possible. But 2 out of 3 ain’t bad. Hahaha!
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They weren’t shy at all.
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Nor was this wombat. Look at his claws..
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..He was quite happy to pose for the photo.
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The grey kangaroos are all tagged and collared at the moment as part of a research program looking in to their breeding patterns.
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Big red ant ready to pounce.
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Today’s drive from Port Melbourne to Wilson’s Promontory National Park and then on to Foster – 249km