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  2. Wilsons Promontory – Eastern Circuit (36.5km)
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(via Sealers Cove, Refuge Cove and Little Waterloo Bay)

  • Length: 36.5km

  • Duration: 2-3 days

  • Grade: 3-4

  • Style: Circuit

  • Start: Telegraph Saddle

  • End: Telegraph Saddle

  • Location: Wilsons Promontory National Park

  • Closest Town: Yanakie

  • Distance from CBD: 225km

  • State: VIC

  • Latitude: -39.0325927176

  • Longitude: 146.3556056935

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Wilsons Promontory – Eastern Circuit is a 36.5km, grade 3-4 Circuit hike located in Wilsons Promontory National Park Victoria. The hike should take approximately 2-3 days to complete.

Summary

The Wilsons Promontory – Eastern Circuit hike is a wonderful circuit hike that explores stunning secluded beaches along the Eastern side of Wilsons Prom. This is one of the least crowded locations on the Prom. It is a top destination for hikers, often nominated as one of the best walks in the state, as it rewards visitors with a natural beauty that includes a spectacular golden beach sheltered from prevailing winds; crystal clear turquoise waters; and an abundance of wildlife.

Important Note

Make sure you check the tide times you have to cross Sealers Creek at the southern end of Sealers Cove, which is subject to tidal flow, before reaching the camp site. The depth of the creek can vary between 200mm through to 1.5m deep at high tide.

Suggested sections for a thee day hike:

Day 1. Telegraph Saddle to Sealers Cove: 9.5km

Day 2. Sealers Cove to Little Waterloo Bay: 14.7km

Day 3: Little Waterloo Bay to Telegraph Saddle: 12.3km

Or

Day 1. Telegraph Saddle to Refuge Cove: 17.3km

Day 2. Refuge Cove to Little Waterloo Bay: 6.9km

Day 3: Little Waterloo Bay to Telegraph Saddle: 12.3km

trail-hiking-sealers-cove

Sealers Cove (9.5km from trailhead)

  • Sealers Cove is a picturesque, circular cove boasting glassy turquoise water, golden sand and a shady campground.
  • Sealers Cove is accessible via the Telegraph Saddle to Sealers Cove Track.
  • Sealers Cove is also accessible as part of an extended Southern Prom Hike (refer to the Overnight Hikes park note in the Related Documents section below).
  • There is a campground and toilets at Sealers Cove.

Refuge Cove (17.3km from trailhead)

  • Refuge Cove is stunning, secluded beach situated on the east side of the Prom accessible via walking track from Sealers Cove to the north or Little Waterloo Bay to the south. The track between Sealers Cove and Refuge Cove offers many great views.
  • Refuge Cove campsite, located at the southern end of the cove, is surrounded by lush vegetation and is within close proximity to the water.

Little Waterloo Bay (24.2km from trailhead)

  • Little Waterloo Bay is only accessible by foot from the overnight hike track from Tidal River. When you get there you will be rewarded with a lovely white sand beach and crystal blue water. There is a camping area with basic facilities. Composting toilets are provided. Toilet paper is not supplied.

About the region

The Wilsons Promontory National Park, commonly known as Wilsons Prom or The Prom, is a national park in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia, located approximately 157 kilometres (98 mi) southeast of Melbourne.

The 50,500-hectare (125,000-acre) national park is the southernmost national park on mainland Australia, known for its beautiful rainforests, unspoiled beaches, and abundant wildlife. The national park covers the southern portion of Wilsons Promontory, a peninsula containing South Point, the southernmost point on the Australian mainland. A lighthouse on the south-east corner of the peninsula is the southern-most lighthouse on mainland Australia and has operated continuously since 1859.

The park is highly popular with bushwalkers and campers, and has a number of lodges and serviced camping areas at a camping area near the mouth of Tidal River.

More information

A maximum two night consecutive stay applies to all campsites.

Refer to the Overnight Hikes park note for more information.

Advance booking is required. You can book online or call parks Victoria on 13 1963.

 

Total distance: 36530 m
Max elevation: 340 m
Min elevation: 5 m
Total climbing: 1827 m
Total descent: -1826 m
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51 thoughts on “Wilsons Promontory – Eastern Circuit (36.5km)”

  7. Do you think that this hike is possible in only 2 days or it’s too hard ?
    Do you know how to go to tidal river without car from foster (if there is buses) for the end of April ?

    1. It is certainly possible over two days but they would be two long days of around 19km each.

      I would suggest the following.
      Day 1. Telegraph Saddle to Refuge Cove: 17.3km
      Day 2. Refuge Cove to Little Waterloo Bay then to Telegraph Saddle: 6.9km + 12km

      Re getting there from Foster. I am not aware of any bus service. Your best option would be to call the Tidal River Visitors Centre on (03) 5680 9555 and ask them for options.

      1. Thank you for the quick answer !
        I have just an other question : the cheapest campsite in Tidal River is the campsite at 54,70$/night/pers ? Aren’t there cheaper campsite in Tidal River

  21. Pingback: Wilsons Promontory 3 Day Eastern Circuit Hike | Underdog Adventures

  22. Hello ! I would like to do this trip but only on 2 days.
    like this:
    Day 1. Telegraph saddle at Refuge Cove: 17.3 km
    Day 2. Refuge Cove at Little Waterloo Bay then Telegraph Saddle: 6.9 km + 12 km.

    Do you think it is possible to do this or it’s too hard ?
    I saw this question had already done but with none answer about the difficulty.

    Thank you for your help =)

  23. Hi everyone,

    I would like to do this circuit over 3 days but can’t decide which campsites to stay at or which part of the hike to do on each day.

    I’m thinking either:

    D1 (Telegraph > Little Waterloo), D2 (Little Waterloo > Sealers), D3 (Sealers > Telegraph)
    or
    D1 (Telegraph > Refuge), D2 (Refuge > Sealers), D3 (Sealers > Telegraph)

    I haven’t made up my mind at all and am completely open to suggestions, I just thought that Telegraph > Little Waterloo looked the least interesting so I might get that out of the way first. That might be an incorrect assumption to make though.

    Thanks for your help 🙂

    1. Hi Christian, you are correct that Telegraph > Little Waterloo is the least interesting. Personally I would do your first option – D1 (Telegraph > Little Waterloo), D2 (Little Waterloo > Sealers), D3 (Sealers > Telegraph)). That way too, if you don’t time the tides right for the creek crossing after leaving Sealers Cover campsite you aren’t spending the next few days with wet feet and gear.

  24. Thanks Darren, the creek crossing point is a good one and something I hadn’t thought about.

    So assuming that I am staying at Sealers on the 2nd night, the 1st night is either at Little Waterloo or Refuge. The extra walk to Refuge from Telegraph (reverse direction circuit) isn’t really a concern, as it would mean that the second day’s hike from Refuge > Sealers would be a shorter one with more time for relaxing.

    Given the choice, do you think you would stay at Little Waterloo or Refuge?

  25. What a spectacular hike. We did this as training for the Overland Track, which we’re doing in the first week of November. We did Telegraph Saddle->Sealers Cover (1 night)->Little Waterloo Bay (1 night)->Telegraph Saddle. We struggled to comprehend how we were still in Victoria (felt more like Queensland at times) – particularly the stunning white sand beaches of Little Waterloo Bay.
    If I’d had my time again, I would have done it in the opposite direction. The final ascent back to the carpark on the Telegraph Track was very steep and a fair bit less picturesque. Staying at LWB is a must as the beaches are absolutely amazing and the campsite is really nice with the waves crashing giving the perfect background noise to fall asleep to.
    Timing the tides right at Sealers is important too as otherwise it will require wading through quite deep, fast-moving water.

  26. The first half of Telegraph>LWB is heading down the Telegraph track to the junction. This is the least interesting section although still quite nice (plenty of wildlife, look out for snakes). Once you turn of the Telegraph Track towards LWB, it changes a lot. They’re doing a lot of work replacing the boardwalk along there but you get some spectacular views and LWB beach is amazing (perfect white sand like you get in Far North Queensland). I’d recommend staying at LWB rather than Refuge Cove – Refuge is nice, but LWB is so close to the beach and its great falling asleep to the crashing of the waves.

    We went in the opposite direction and the Sealers to LWB section is pretty tough, particularly between Refuge and LWB, as you head up Kersops Peak. Pretty undulating, rough sections of track and a few creek crossings as well.

  27. Hey Trail Hiking team,

    Quick question. I contacted Parks Vic for info about passes for camping in the Prom. They told me the Northern part of the Prom is for experienced hikers only. Would this hike be included in this? I’ve done a fair share of hiking but my partner not so much. I just want to be sure this circuit is well marked and easy to navigate?

    Thanks!

    1. Hi Ronja, no, the Eastern Circuit does not go near the Northern Section. The Eastern Circuit is on well formed trails for the entire distance. It is a big one to tackle though if you have not done many overnight hikes.

    1. I have done it in 2 and 3 days but never one. If you are a trail runner I guess it would not be a problem. If you want to attempt this as a ‘long’ day hike I would suggest waiting until we have more daylight hours. Even then you would be pushing it in my opinion.

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  30. Just completed this hike last week with Riley Beaton, great hike was very beautiful and a good one for an enjoyable walk without too much difficulty. would recommend maybe going in the warmer months as it makes the river crossing easier and also you can take advantage of the wonderful beaches!

  31. Finished this hide today.
    3 days in ‘reverse’ direction.
    Telegraph Saddle to LWB. LWB to Sealer’s. Sealer’s to Telegraph saddle.
    Love the beaches, and views.

    1. It most certainly is but I would advise on keeping the group small (around 8 people). You will also need to book camp sites in advance. The nearest vehicle access point is Telegraph Saddle where you have to park your vehicles. it is only management vehicles from that point on.

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