48 Hours Exploring Wilsons Promontory
Wilsons Promontory/Wamoon is an oasis of bush and animals, nestled into a peninsula in Victoria’s southeast. A gateway to rugged landscape, this natural wonderland is filled with plenty of activities and adventures to discover, many of which you can enjoy in just two days of travel.
The best way to reach Wilsons Promontory (also known as Wilsons Prom) is in your Ace rental car. About a three hour drive from Victoria’s capital city of Melbourne/Naarm, 48 hours in Wilsons Prom makes the trip well worth it. From bush walks to swimming, exploring the lush environments to discovering native wildlife, adventures are endless in this stunning corner of Australia.
Arriving at Wilsons Promontory
When you arrive at Wilsons Prom, follow the entrance road about 30 minutes beyond the gate and you’ll find yourself at Tidal River. Here you’ll find the Visitor’s Centre, where the park rangers will answer any questions you have about the area, or you can collect brochures and leaflets that contain plenty of helpful information. There is even a general store and takeaway cafe here, so you can stock up on food and drink before you begin your explorations. If you choose to camp in the Promontory, the Visitor’s Centre is where you can also check into your campsite or accommodation, which you will have to book in advance. If you’re just visiting for the day, this is where you’ll park your rental car and begin exploring the Prom on foot. Day visits are free, so you won’t have to worry about paying a cent to explore this stunning region.
Day 1: Exploring the Northern Region
As you begin your adventure in Wilson’s Prom, the first place to check out is the region’s most popular beach, Squeaky Beach. If you’re wondering how this beach got its name, just put your feet on the sand and let the sound of the soft quartz grains give you the answer! This iconic seaside strip is only 300 metres from the carpark, so it makes for a great way to start your journey. As you continue walking along the trail, the next beach you’ll encounter is Picnic Bay. As the name suggests, this is a great spot to settle down for a bite to eat as you listen to the soft waves. There are even rock pools at this beach, so you can explore the marine life hiding in the crevices of the rock beneath the water’s surface. Just next to Picnic Bay is Whisky Bay. Another seaside haven, the hidden nature of this beach provides a sense of privacy—and if you’re lucky enough, you might just get the whole beach to yourself. Keep following the trail and you’ll find yourself heading toward Mount Bishop. While the climb to the summit is an hour and a half return, even hiking part of the way will allow you to see some amazing views of the environment as it stretches out below you. On your way back to Tidal River, make sure to stop by the lookout between Picnic Bay and Whisky Bay. This stunning lookout gives you a great overview of both bays and is the perfect place to finish your day.
Day 2: Venturing South into the Bush
For your second day of adventure, begin your journey with a stop by the sensational Norman Beach. This is the kind of coastal oasis you’ll remember forever. The views of the ocean and the mountains in the background are picture-perfect. This is a very accessible beach, being located right near the entrance to the trail. Many surfers tackle the waves at this beach, so it’s a great place to try your hand at surfing if you’re feeling brave. Next up on this southern trail is Little Oberon Bay. This small cove is one of the best hidden secrets of Wilson’s Prom and delivers phenomenal views of the sparkling ocean before you. Make sure to remember your camera for this journey—not only are the views amazing, but there’s a good chance you might run into some native wildlife, like the furry wombats. From here, you might also be able to see the majestic granite rocks that make up Mount Oberon behind you. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, hiking up Mount Oberon is a great way to work off some steam. On your way back to Tidal River, it’s a good idea to stop by Pillar Point Lookout. Views don’t get much better than this—unless you time it well enough to witness the sunset over the ocean, of course!
From beaches to bushwalks, Wilson’s Promontory makes for a great two-day adventure in your Ace rental car.
