Overnight hike in Wilsons prom

This was a much awaited hike on our long list. We had been planning for this one from the day we returned from the sealers cove in April. We had bought all the gear needed and was waiting till the year end leave to give this a go. But things changed when my partner had to change jobs and he was suddenly in a work break of two weeks. And it seemed he would not get his year end vacation. So it was decided to utilize the break by doing this hike way earlier than we planned to. I took leave, booked the camp sites and did some quick shopping to gather food and few other stuff.

We set off to Wilsons prom on the 25th October, all exited despite the nasty cold I was fighting with. We were a bit worried about the food, cos we didn't have time to prepare any dehydrated stuff as we planned to. So we ate a hearty breakfast and a heavy snack on our way.

As usual the prom was looking pretty. I always feel like entering in to a magical place, driving between those hills and forests.

Two Emus wondering about

The Tidal river was full of people and the it was difficult finding parking. After taking our sticker from the counter, we headed to the cafe to eat our lunch while re-checking the maps and distances.

The overnight hikers car park is just down the road not very far from the information center and there were few cars already parked. It took us another half an hour to get all the gear ready to begin the walk. One last look on the check list and off we went.

The first stop of our walk was the Oberon bay camp site and it's about 7.6 Km from the Tidal River. We didn't want to walk longer on the first day as we started after lunch plus we so wanted to stay the night on this spectacular bay.

Walking a few meters through this thin thicket brought us to the actual track that leads to Norman Bay which was very pretty and so full of greenery.

The path soon brought us to the Norman bay. It was quite surprising to find it empty. Being close to Tidal river, we expected a lot of people here. May be the cold winds and the gloomy sky kept people away, giving us the rare opportunity of admiring the undisturbed view.

The track continues around the bay and with a slight ascend taking us to a nice elevation. the bay looked prettier with every step and we stopped at every bend to praise the view below.

The track then diverted a bit towards the land taking the scenery away for a while, only to bring us to an even more breathtaking views. I don't remember how long I stood there awed by the view unfolded in front of us. That was the little Oberon bay at it's best.

The more closer we went, the prettier it got. These are unpopular tracks specially in cold months and anyone who is crazy enough, get to enjoy the beauty all by himself. We saw two other hikers walking across the bay and that was it.

As we descended, the bay unfolded with it's stretches of soft white sand and it was magical. Walking across the huge bay, made me feel so tiny and I just felt in love with this place. Track forms back on the other side leading to the adjacent Oberon bay which is bigger and prettier.

Oberon bay

 I was literally racing down the track on to the bay with excitement. We just couldn't believe, we were actually going to camp there for the night. Everything was so massive. The sky, the ocean, the endless sandy beach, the hills from behind. It's either I am not linguistic enough to put what I felt in to words or there are actually no words that could do that.

After walking lengths, we finally found the small track leading up to the camp site which wasn't far from the beach. The site was the nicest of all I have ever seen.

The creek

Path leading to camp site

With small dens(sites) here and there among the green bushes and a creek by the side, it' was difficult to choose where to camp, but we settled with one place at last. 

The site we chose

There was just one group already enjoying dinner on a site much farther away. And I think we heard a few more arriving late at night. It was time to pitch the tent which is a five minute job for us now. We thought we'd have a hot soup first as we were both feeling stiff headed walking in the wind. And a hot cup of soup after a rough hike comes second only to a cup of tea in the bush.

After the refreshment, it was time to explore the surrounding. The beach was lovely and we walked from one corner to the other before walking around the creek.

There was a lot of birds and also a Wallaby who ran away seeing us. We didn't go further as it might disturb the animals and returned to the site. After a simple dinner, it was time to get a good sleep.

Morning was freezing, but we had to start walking as early as possible as we had a lot of walking to do. After a hearty breakfast and replenishing the water supply we, were back on the track. I felt bit depressed to leave the sight of the ocean as we started walking towards inland. That mood didn't last long as the view started to get lovely as we walk.

The track remained wide and exposed for the most part. We saw a few rabbits and wallabies hopping away leisurely.

The view of the mountains in the distance covered with clouds, was so pretty and to be the only two people on that huge open space was just perfect. The track soon brought us to the Telegraph junction.

Our destination for the day was Roaring meg which according to this board is 7.5 Km towards the south. The walk was easy up to the halfway hut which is another lovely place to camp.

Then starts the hardest stretch with a steady climb which brings you to an elevation good enough to get a nice view of the area.

the uphill

The view below

We stopped at a few lookouts to see the beautiful views and resumed the uphill walk, until it brought us to a flat ground with a helipad.

The helipad

From here you can take either the shorter Telegraph track or the walking track which is bit longer. The 'close-to-nature' walking track was our choice as always. Without much events the 4.8 Km track brought us to the Roaring Meg camp site.

It was a lovely site with two main areas to choose from. After walking around, we decided to camp in the lower area which is next to a lovely creek. But we were not our yet. It was nearly 11.30 and so we decided to go see the South point and have lunch there.

So we left for the South point which is about 3.7 Km from the Roaring meg and took us a little longer than an hour as we were slow due to heavy packs. The track was not very existing, not until you get the sight of the blue ocean. We were stunned by the contrast colors of the view . After a gloomy day, it was so nice to sit in the sun watching this marvelous view.

A lookout

 The track was very pretty from there onward, with wild flowers and green bushes. It was a dreamy place and we had a lunch with a view.

South point

Lying down on the rocks after lunch, we had a nice time relaxing and drifting in to sleep from time to time. It was the perfect scenery and we were reluctant to leave. After some extended time spent absorbing the beauty, it was time to leave.

Reaching the camp site earlier that we expected, we had time to relax and explore before supper.  So we pitched the tent on a lovely piece of land by the creek, had a warm cups of tea after washing ourselves with freezing water.

Making tea

We explored around a bit before dinner and soon it was dark and cold and was time to call it a day. Next day was to head to the Light house which is the highlight of the walk and we were excited and the last thing we wanted was rain.

It was not our day. The morning was gloomy and was a sure sign of a storm on it's way. The drizzle slowed us down, but we managed to pack up before the rain hit. We started walking in the rain as it didn't look like it's going to end any time soon. And we had to cover 16 Km before dark.

Soon we were wet despite all the rain covers and rain jackets. the storm got worse as we climbed up and the wind was slowing us down. We had to stop to adjust pack covers and the army of leeches weren't helping either. We could see the light house from a distance all covered in mist.

The last few miles were the worst. It was so difficult to climb the steep hill in the wind and the rain and we were soaking wet and tired and hungry when we reached the top. There was no place for cover and the storm was worst up there.

We found a small hide out near the wash rooms and quickly had some snacks and stretched our limbs. It was with great difficulty that I took these snaps in the swirling wind and my camera isn't water proof.

We were a bit disappointed, as we were so looking forward to be here and enjoy the spectacular views which was impossible in that storm. So we descended back to the track and started towards the Little water loo bay which is about 10 Km. As we climbed on the the other side of the mountain, the weather started to get better. And soon it was sunny again bringing our spirits back up. We stopped halfway for a snack continued until we were met by the fascinating coastal view.

We were marveled and speechless seeing the spellbinding Little waterloo bay.

Little waterloo bay

 Descending down to the sandy beach once again, I fell in love with this paradise all over again.

walking along the nice beach and crossing a river, there was the sign for the camp site. Few minutes later we were in a nice camp site. First thing we did after pitching the tent was having lunch. And then it was time to dry up all the wet stuff. Our packs had leaked and water has gotten in to every corner soaking up cloths and sleeping bags. 

The sun light wasn't strong enough and little time till sun set. We managed to dry out as much stuff as we can.

After relaxing a bit, we took a walk around the bay near the camp which was beautiful in the sun set.

Our plan was to spend the last night in the Sealers cove, but with wet stuff and we feeling bit under the weather after the storm, we decided to shorten our hike by one night. So next day, we will cut through to Telegraph Junction and take the Telegraph track to the Tidal River.

That night it stated raining again, but not stormy. We barely had time to cook dinner.

The next morning, it wasn't fully sunny, so we were glad we decided to head home. After breakfast and tea, we set off to Tidal River.

Bay in the morning

Dark skies

A formed track brought us to the Junction and there onward, it was an uneventful walk but with some nice scenery varying until the end.

We reached the car park after about 4 hours of walking and we were all tired and worn out with aching feet but extremely satisfied. It was a wonderful feeling to change in to dry comfy cloths and sipping a coffee at the Tidal River cafe.