Tongue Point, Darby River and Saddle (10.5km)

Summary

The Tongue Point, Darby River and Saddle hike is a combination of two return hikes; Darby River to Tongue Point and Darby Saddle to Tongue Point. This track allows you to fully enjoy the stunning Tongue Point coastal area. The hike can be done in either direction however you will need to organise a car shuttle.

Commencing at the southern end of Darby River carpark follow the Darby River to Tongue Point Track.

Darby River to Tongue Point
Offering magnificent views of Darby Swamp, Vereker Range and Darby and Cotters Beach, this walk climbs gently through wind swept coastal vegetation before following the headland towards Tongue Point, a coastal headland jeweled with stacks of weathered granite. The track ends prior to the semi-attached island. For your safety don’t attempt to cross over to it. Just before the Darby Saddle track junction, a short side track with some steps leads down to the delightful and secluded Fairy Cove. For your safety, check tides before you go. Retrace your steps and continue to the junction of the Darby Saddle Track. Continues to Tongue Point, a coastal headland jeweled with tumbled stacks and boulders of weathered granite. The track ends prior to the semi-attached island. For your safety don’t attempt to cross over to it.

Tongue Point to Darby Saddle
The track to Darby Saddle provides spectacular coastal and forest scenery as it ascends steeply through low heathland towards Lookout Rocks, a vantage point offering views across to Norman Island. Approximately 7.8 km into the hike a short side track leads up to Sparkes Lookout which offers views as far as the pyramid-shaped Rodondo Island in the south and Shallow Inlet in the north. From here the track descends through stringybark and casuarina forest to Darby Saddle and the end of the hike.

Getting There

From Melbourne follow M1 (Monash Freeway) to Pakenham. Take the exit for C422 from M1. Follow Koo Wee Rup Rd/C422 and Koo-Wee-Rup Bypass Rd to S Gippsland Hwy/M420 in Koo Wee Rup. Then follow the South Gippsland Hwy/M420 and A440 to Meeniyan-Promontory Rd/C444 in Meeniyan. Drive to C444 in Wilsons Promontory and park at the Darby River carpark, just past the Anakie Airfield turnoff.

 

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