Wilsons Prom - how to have it to yourself (almost)
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Ok, so how did we get Wilsons Prom to ourselves (almost) ?
Tidal River camp ground on Wilsons Prom has 484 camp sites to chose from, when we arrived we had the choice of approx. 474 of them … for real … So how did we do it?
Well, it was a strange collection of events. First, we booked real late, we hadn’t scheduled to go away. Next, the weather was reported to be appalling all weekend, and finally, it was July and the middle of winter (Wilsons Prom is very exposed so we made a educated assumption it gets smashed during the winter months).
So what happened? Winter is not a popular time to visit the prom and it looks like the ‘horizontal rain’ weather reports put most people off … which equates to a virtually empty camp site, and it felt like we had the place to ourselves.
So what really happened with the weather ? … it was b-e-a-utiful during the day; cool, breezy and crystal clear … but overnight boy did it do a backflip, torrential downpours that flooded many camp sites. This gave us a ‘first-person’ account on which campsites pooled water and those that didn’t … and let us tell you that MANY sites held water, not great for tents/swags!
Anyway, just be aware the weather can make or break your trip, be prepared and everything will be fine.
Ok, getting to the beauty of The Prom, it is stunning (check out our photos here and on our Instagram/Facebook accounts) . We planned two hikes, both under 15km, and both direct from Tidal River camp ground. Our RELIVE and WikiLock accounts are the best method to view the hikes, links to both are below.
Hike 1: Mt Bishop. ( 13km / 3hrs)
We decided to ‘climb’ for our first hike, up to the top of Mt Bishop which looks down on Tidal River and its amazing coastline. It was a straight up/straight down type of hike on very well maintained trails that are well signposted directly out from the bridge over Tidal River. At the bottom there is a small loop boardwalk trail (Lilly Pilly Gully Nature Trail ) which you must include at the end after you come down from Mt Wilson (you’ll think you’re in Jurassic Park movie).
Hike 2: 3Bay Trail (14km / 4 hrs - estimated)
My GPS tracker ran out of power so the RELIVE records only the outward bound trip, but this is an out-and-back on the same trails that are well signed (and the only off-shoot trails lead to carparks for those that wish to drive to each of the 3 bays).
This is a coastal walk, fully exposed to the natural beauty of this impressive coastline - WOW, we had to restrict our photography for a few reasons, 1) too many photos, 2) taking too much time. - believe us when we say it is spectacular , we are not lying (check our photos).
This trail undulates between the cliff tops and down to the beach. You walk along three bays (!) , first up is Squeaky Beach (it wasn’t squeaky this weekend as it was wet, but, I have been here in the dry and it genuinely squeaks as you walk along it). 2nd bay is Picnic Bay and you finally turnaround at Whisky Bay.
All three bays are spectacular, you have to go there to see and feel how amazing they are.
Now, if you are not up for hiking this trail you can very easily drive to each bay, they all have their own carpark with a short walk to the beach, but ideally we advocate you walk if you can, your health and wellbeing will be hyper-boosted on this one.
Be sure to click the links below for all our ‘social’ and if you head to our YouTube please ‘Like’ and ‘Subscribe’.
Peace, and until next time … “ LET’S BOUNCE …
SOTR - RELIVE:
Hike No.1: SOTR Relive : Mt Bishop Wilsons Prom
Hike No.2: SOTR Relive : 3 Bays Coastal Hike
SOTR - WIKILOC
Hike No.1 : SOTR Wikilok - Mt Bishop Wilsons Prom
Hike No.2 : SOTR Wikiloc - 3 Bays Trail Wilsons Prom
SOTR - Social Media
SOTR Instagram : SOTR IG
SOTR Facebook : SOTR Facebook
SOTR YouTube: SOTR YouTube Channel
