Wilsons Promontory Eastern Circuit is a 36.5km, grade 4 hike located in Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 2-3 days to complete.
Hike overview
The Eastern Circuit of Wilsons Promontory is a stunning coastal hike that takes you through some of the most beautiful scenery in Victoria, Australia. The 36.5km circuit explores secluded beaches, sheltered coves, and lush rainforests, all while offering breathtaking views of the Bass Strait.
The Eastern Circuit is a relatively challenging hike (due to its length) and is recommended for experienced hikers. The hike can be completed in 2-3 days, although 3 days is recommended to allow you to fully enjoy the scenery and wildlife.
Make sure you check the tide times before reaching the camp site at Sealers Cove at the end of day 1. 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
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.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 340 m
Min elevation: 5 m
Total climbing: 1827 m
Total descent: -1826 m
Tips
A camping permit is required for the Eastern Circuit. Permits can be obtained online or at the Tidal River Visitor Centre.
Trail location
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Getting there
Wilsons Promontory National Park is approximately three hours drive from Melbourne. Follow the Monash Freeway (M1) to join the South Gippsland Freeway (M420/A440) to Meeniyan. Take the Meeniyan- Promontory Road (C444) to the Wilsons Promontory Entrance. Tidal River Visitor Centre is 30km south of the park entrance. There is no fuel at Tidal River. The closest fuel outlet is at Yanakie.
About the region
Welcome to Wilsons Prom, the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. Walk remote coastal bushland trails and swim at pristine beaches dominated by granite tors. Camp in comfort at family-friendly Tidal River or hike to a more secluded campsite. Either way, the local wombats, kangaroos and emus are waiting to meet you.
Swim at Norman Beach - just a few minutes' walk from Tidal River Campground, or go snorkelling for a unique underwater view of Victoria's largest marine national park. Bring the family and camp in comfort at Tidal River. Choose from powered or unpowered sites or stay in roofed accommodation.
Scale the granite peaks of Mount Bishop or Mount Oberon for panoramic views, or enjoy an overnight hike in The Prom. In the north there's a remote and rugged wilderness to explore, while the south is home to the historic Wilsons Promontory Lightstation and Sealers Cove.
Feel the sand between your toes at some of the more secluded beaches of Wilsons Prom, from Cotters Beach to Whisky Bay and Fairy Cove. Check out Big Drift, an impressive inland sand dune system, one of the Prom's well kept secrets. You can book a free all-terrain wheelchair, TrailRider or beach wheelchair to explore the great outdoors at Wilsons Promontory National Park.
Similar trails nearby
Explore Safe
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Let someone know
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
Gear to consider
My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.
3 Reviews on “Wilsons Prom: Eastern Circuit Hike (36.5km)”
This walks looks amazing! Would it be ok in reverse?
Leesa Harris
Tilly Peppers
Louise Osborn Mojca Krusic Anna Carter we can do this one… ?
Karley Mac
This is a beautiful walk. If you can spare the time id suggest staying at refuge cove for two nights.
This looks like an amazing walk. I will have to lock that into my calendar!
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.
Great pic Peta
Has anyone done this in 1 day? I’m thinking of a 6am start. Is it possible? Please and thankyou
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!
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 🙂
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.
is this sort of hike suitable for groups and is there anyways to get cars or vehicles in?
Hi Gemma. No trouble at all doing this in reverse. In fact any of the prom hikes are OK to do in any direction.
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.
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.
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!
Just completed this one over two days, Telegraph Saddle to Refuge Cove via Sealers, return via LWB. A great walk but probably more enjoyable if done over three days.
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.
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 =)
Hi Camille. Yes that would certainly be possible. I have done that hike and they are long days but certainly achievable
It is spectacular.
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.
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.
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.
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?