A recent 5-day exploration of the Southern circuit of Wilson’s Promontory, I discovered more than the physical paths beneath my feet. Exploring the expansiveness and the terrain from one bay to another psychologically transported me through a journey of my life thus far.
Nature has a way of reflecting what we need to know
Reflecting on the paths I’d taken, the choices I’d made the discoveries of self; resonated with the challenging landscape I’d chosen for my platform of this intensely pivotal moment of projection and search for answers as to what was next for me.
The Prom, as it’s affectionately known to most, is as wild as diverse as our current society and was the perfect place to wind down, observe and find stillness in the moments in between the challenging hills, the heavy packs, the diversity of landscape and the brown snake that reminds you are truly in the wild.
A little insight into the days is laid out below;
DAY 1
10.2 km Telegraph Saddle – Sealers Cove
1 River crossing
1 brown snake
3 lizards
1 emu (drive into Tidal River)
23457653 trillion mozzies (not even kidding)
250g food
33c – overnight 16c
1 beautiful destination
The drive into the Prom from Yanakie is one of my favourite parts. Leaving the Yanakie store, it’s as if you took a step back into a prehistoric time where animals roamed freely and man’s hand had not yet adulterated. Other than the road, and small traffic infrastructure, there is a sense of untamed wilderness that threatens to swallow the road.
I was so excited to spot on of the local emu’s that often cross the roads and as you bring your car to a halt, it’s a deep sense that we don’t belong here with our engines and noise. The stature of our Australian iconic, flightless bird, up-close is nothing short of unique. Granted my wish to see these beautiful creatures, we carefully continued along the road to Tidal River, mindful of the animals that inhabit the surrounding bushland.
Playing tourist, we stopped along the way at Glennie Lookout to take in the epic coastal line. The warmth of the sun on own skin and wind on our face instantly transporting us from an office job to adventure seekers.
Starting later in the day after a morning of work, we set off approx. 3 pm in the heat of the day. Hugging the side of the mountain, the track had recently undergone works due to a number of flash floods, the evidence beneath on the slopes of the hill. Granite boulders hung to the steep terrain as we wound our way through taking in the epic views across the mountainous range.
The landscapes transitioned into a valley where we crossed small creeks and weaved our way over boardwalks canopied by dense ferny understory, taking a reprieve from the hot sun.
As we wove our way through to sealers cove, Shan was ahead and alerted me to a brown snake only meters from the boardwalk in which we were standing. Hearing us come he slithered off. Thankfully as I never wanted to test my snake bite first aid skills!
The tree canopy over the bridge led us to catch our first glimpse of the picturesque bay and as we stepped out onto the white sand, I danced with delight! A short hike up the beach to the camp, almost 6 pm, we were able to avoid high tide, only having to remove our shoes and wade through the river a little over my knees.
After setting up camp, we took our dinner down to the beach, watching the sunset over the hills we had just walked, and soaked up the night ambiance. I sat quietly on the soft, white sand watching the seagulls swoop down and catch their evening meal from the river that was flowing out into the sea. My thoughts carried through the wind and sleepiness of the day’s adventure took me to bed. As the final light from the sun's glow disappeared from the sky, giving way to the dim moonlight, our eyes shut.
Quickly falling asleep and in anticipation of our 22km hike the next day.
Next on the blog…
DAY 2
22km Sealer’s Cove- Half Way Hut
Giants Valley walk
6 wallabies
More lizards
Numerous bird species
20mm of skin piercing rain
300g of food
Hipflask of vodka & parmesan crisps
The most arduous of walks in the most difficult of conditions. Learn WHY this is exactly WHAT I needed...
Nature serves to provide the lessons we need.
Till then, Happy hiking
Amanda xx