Cloudy, 26 degrees.
We set off in good time to drive to the Wilsons Promontory National Park. It took ages to get out of Melbourne, even on one of their four lane freeways, which was free until it turned into a toll road, the Eastern Link. Eventually we arrived at Foster - the National Park info centre.
The helpful guide there suggested a campsite just before the National Park. After the usual picnic lunch (not up to Melbourne standards) we travelled what seemed an age to check out the site in Yanakie - book in - and then set off for the National Park proper. The “Prom” is the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. There is just one road leading about 2/3 down the eastern side (30km) to a place called Tidal River- the rest can only be accessed by foot - more than 80km of hiking tracks! There are hundreds of very basic campsites, scout camps and only 20 powered sites (all booked - hence the stay in Yanakie). There was a cafe at the end which looked more like a canteen ready to serve up about 300 fish and chips or dim sum and chips to the starving teenagers. It was all hiking trails, fishing rivers but also with beautiful surf beaches and tons of wildlife for all. The weather was turning for the worse - windy, showery but we headed off to see a few highlights off the road.
Firstly Whiskey Beach a small pretty sandy bay - we knew it was a highlight as several large SUVs pitched up carrying camera toting chinese tourists! A boardwalk led down to the beach (the pathways in the National Parks are beautifully maintained). Mind you a sign saying “beware of snakes - keep to the paths!” works better than “please respect the countryside by keeping to the paths”. It does for me anyway.
On to another famous beach called Squeaky Beach - due to the sound it makes as you walk over it.
S2
Large rock formations bordered the beaches.
Then on to Tidal River the end of the road...
It is as it sounds .. - we walked a nature trail along the river to the river beach - where dozens of teenagers were swimming in the river - looked to be on some sort of outward bound course.We managed to get a photo without one of the little angels in it but only just!
A moody looking Tidal River bridge from the beach end.
Back up the road - 30 kms plus about another 20kms down a track to our windswept sea facing site for the night. It really felt we were in the bush - our pitch was in a sheltered rather wild area of the site. Good because it was very windy and showery. The sea looked very grey and angry.
Thurs 7th Feb
Cloudy but dry. 25 degrees.
The sea looking like a millpond the next morning.
We set off around 9am (we’re getting earlier and earlier..) and as the weather was not looking good we stuck to the road - no side trips- and at Lakes Entrance in time for a late lunch in a campsite within walking distance of the town.
Later - mid afternoon we walked several kms along the lakeside of a large lake with a large fishing fleet, pleasure boats. It appeared to be a collection of salt and fresh water inlets leading in to the network of lakes.
We crossed a large bridge which led to a beach - the famous Ninety Mile beach - which starts or ends (dont know which) here and stretches for.... you’ve guessed it!
In this bit the lakes are separated from the sea by a stretch of dunes, one side sea...
... the other side lake
... the other side lake
Back to the site and showered and changed as we’re going out to a restaurant tonight..whooo... to the “ Floating Dragon” - on a houseboat overlooking the lake - Australian/Chinese fusion food and No 1 on Tripadvisor. It was delicious ! And we had one of the best views of the house. A corner table overlooking the lake.
As night draws in the fishing fleet makes its way out. Lakes Entrance has the largest offshore fishing fleet in Victoria.
Lakes Entrance was lovely, and so much to do. However, we have a decision to make. We have to be in Sydney in 5 days and Graham wants 2 nights in the Blue Mountains. If we continue up the coast it will be tight, if we cut across country it’s shorter but could be boring - who wants to go to Canberra!
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