Wilsons Prom: South East Circuit Hike (55km)

Victoria's most popular multiday hike, the Wilsons Promontory South East Circuit, weaves its way from the slopes of Mount Oberon down to the eastern shore of Wilsons Promontory National Park, where it traverses south above the dramatic waters of Bass Strait to the southernmost lighthouse on mainland Australia. From the dramatically-positioned lighthouse, the trail takes you north through the heart of the park, before returning to Tidal River via spectacular Oberon Bay. Along the way, the trail takes bushwalkers through verdant rainforest, across stunning beaches, wide heathlands and stands of thick coastal tea-tree, while secluded campsites offer beautiful views and bays with cerulean waters to swim in.

The trailhead at Telegraph Saddle car park is just over three hours from Melbourne by car (there is no public transport). The walk can be done in either direction, from Telegraph Saddle or from Tidal River. During the summer holidays a shuttle bus service runs between Tidal River and Telegraph Saddle car park, but at other times of the year you have to walk from Tidal River up the road to the Telegraph Saddle to collect your car.

From the car park the trail meanders through thick forest down to the beautiful bay of Sealers Cove, before you ford Blackfish Creek and climb over the next headland. The trail then descends to the cerulean waters of Refuge Cove. Heading further south again, you traverse thickly-forested hillsides before exiting on to the long beach of Little Waterloo Bay.

At the end of the beach, the trail steadily climbs again, eventually traversing the edges of high cliffs that afford the walker breathtaking views across the crashing seas below. You then take a long forested section before reaching the junction with the Lighthouse Track. From here, you are just a short, well-advised side trip out to the lighthouse. Completed in 1859 from granite quarried nearby, the lighthouse stands 19m tall and offers overnight accommodation for hikers after a truly unique experience.

Back at the junction, the trail climbs to the inland campsite of Roaring Meg, which is located by a beautiful fern-lined creek. Heading north further inland, you cross wide heathlands under the watchful eye of crimson rosellas and superb fairywrens, before being deposited on the Telegraph Track. This is followed past Halfway Hut to Telegraph Track junction, where the trail leads west along a sandy four-wheel drive track to the stunning Oberon Bay, from whose campsite is a great place to go swimming after a long day on the trail.

The trail traverses north across the beach at Oberon Bay, skirting mountainsides as it passes gorgeous Little Oberon Bay and Norman Bay, which provides stunning views back towards Mount Oberon, before depositing you back at the creature comforts of Tidal River elated at covering some of the best terrain the State has to offer.