Day One: South Point, Wilsons Promontory Victoria
South Point, Wilsons Promontory Victoria
The first hike of the East coast trek started in Wilson Promontory Nation Park Victoria. My father Scott (currently driving the Wandering Minds support vehicle) dropped me at Telegraph Saddle car park to begin my day of walking. This is due to the fact that a majority of Wilsons Prom’ isn’t accessible by vehicle and must be hiked on foot!
Trust me though it is worth every step! This national park is so well cared for, and undisturbed, that the flora and fauna thrive, and the landscape is only eroded by the natural elements.
It is 15.7 km each way to reach South Point. I did this as a day hike, and it took me a total of 8.5 hours with only minimal rest in between. It is relatively easy to navigate due to well-groomed tracks and excellent sign postage (probably the safest I have felt on a trail to date). The hike is broken into sections but transitions very smoothly onto the next section with clear signage. There are two camping spots along the way including Halfway Hut and Roaring Meg if you did want to break up this hike and stay overnight.
Section one: Saddle car park to Telegraph Junction 6.2km -
This section takes approx. 1.5/2 hrs and delivers you to the intersection of the different trails available. It is a super cruisy section with gentle inclines and a large well managed track that doesn’t fork of off to any other trails. This section is very friendly to all walkers of life.
Section two: Telegraph Junction to Roaring Meg campsite
Telegraph Junction to Roaring Meg campsite – This section is 6km and takes roughly 2/ 2.5 hrs to complete. This path is again exceptionally well sign posted in and groomed but it does become slightly steeper due to the increase in surrounding mountains.
But this is still achievable and just a bit more burny through the quads and glutes! I suggest a good pump-up playlist to distract yourself in this section. But what goes up must come down! So the second hour of trekking is down hill and passes through gorgeous rainforest terrain and you will see the camp site on your right-hand side as well as more sign age for surrounding tracks. Roaring meg has no reception, so I do suggest you have a satellite phone handy. This campground has raised wooden tables (no chairs) and a composting toilet.
Section three: Roaring meg to South point.
This section takes 1hr, 3.6 km and becomes more moderate in trail rating. Exposed rocks, roots, creek crossing, and generally uneven terrain make this a little bit trickier to navigate. Not impossible though! Just watch your step and try not to zone out like I did which resulted in a rolled ankle and an adult tantrum. This gorgeous scenic track winds around the headlands and delivers you straight to South Point, the most southern tip of mainland Australia.
I cannot describe the exhilarating feeling that swept over me when I saw the “you are at the most southern tip of mainland Australia sign sticking out of the ground. I am unashamed in admitting to the tears of joy and loud shouts of happiness I released, off the very tip of our gorgeous mainland. Potentially a very uncoordinated celebration dance too (you’ll never know). It is a stunning aspect with a wild coastline, exquisite rock formations, and mountains protruding from the sea that look as if they are floating on the Bass Strait!
The walk back to the Car park is exactly the way you came but in no way dull as the wildlife seem to come out in abundance closer to dusk so keep your eyes peeled!
First 32 km hike of the trek from South Point to Cape York successfully completed! Subscribe for further Wandering Mind hiking updates and Mental Health information.
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