Wednesday 8/03/2023   Five Mile Road Carpark – Millers Landing – Vereker Outlook

                                            Wilsons Promontory National Park, VICTORIA

                                            GunaiKurnai and Boonwurrung Country

                                    

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies

Again the morning was not showing a lot of promise weather-wise. It had been showery with gusty winds all night and that continued into the early morning. During the 30-minute drive from Tidal River Campground to the Five Mile Road Carpark to start our walk there were two very heavy showers. However, as we arrived it was looking a little better. It seemed our delayed, 10:00am start might have paid off, at least to start with.

Download file: 20230308a.gpx                         Track Info

 

As previously, with plenty of great Parks Victoria signage, we were not going to have any concerns about where to go. So following the sign we followed the Miller Landing Track towards the northeast from the carpark. It should be noted a vehicular track runs parallel to the foot track, just to its west. A really noticeable feature of this route is the prolific presence of very healthy banksias, most of them very heavily laden with cones. We also observed half a dozen swamp wallabies grazing amongst the trees.

At Millers Landing, the track ends. Here there is a sandy, mangrove-fringed shoreline to spreads off as far as the eye can see in both directions. We walked a couple of hundred metres to the west, to check out a couple of interesting-looking granite boulders we noticed. Heading back along the track, after about 300m, we took the Miller Landing Link Path towards the southeast in the direction of Vereker Outlook. Again, there were plenty of banksias along the way and overhead we were lucky enough to sight six black cockatoos flying by.

Once you reach the road, make sure you look along it to your right, as the Vereker Outlook Track starts about 20m that way on the opposite side of the road. As the start of the track and sign itself could be easily missed keep your eyes open here.

Once on the Vereker Outlook Track, you start climbing around 200m before reaching the “Outlook”. The track grows narrower and rockier as you progress and in a couple of spots, you need to look carefully to see where it goes. Before you reach the top, if you keep a lookout for it, you can find a fantastic “wave” rock. It is slightly concealed behind a tree but the top part is visible if you are observant.

The top of the ridge has numerous granite outcrops and as they often do, you can observe some really interesting shapes and juxtapositions from selected viewpoints. You know you have reached Vereker Outlook as it is identified by a Parks Victoria sign. The only other person we saw along the track didn’t get to the outlook as he seemed to figure the views he had at the previous knoll must have been it.

We were very lucky with our 3-hour walk this morning as the heavy showers left us alone altogether. We did, however, experience a very light shower for the last 19 minutes before getting back to the carpark. There were now five cars there, whereas there had been only ours when we left, I assume other people may have also been waiting for the morning showers to ease before starting.

As we drove off towards Darby Beach to commence our afternoon walk. The gusty winds and heavy showers returned. Whilst waiting patiently in the van for them to ease off, we both managed to doze off for a little afternoon nap.

The weather didn’t improve much in the afternoon and didn’t end up doing the 10km walk we had planned.

Photos

 

Information on NSW National Parks signage along the way

GATEWAY TO THE WILDERNESS Five Mile Road carpark

Take a walk into the wilderness and be inspired by the rugged granite landscapes and seascapes. Within its contrasting heathland. woodland, forest and wetland environment lives an impressive diversity of wildlife.

You are at the entrance to the Wilderness area of Wilsons Promontory National Park. This is a conservation area of national significance and is one of Victoria’s largest undisturbed coastal landscapes. To reduce impacts and provide for wilderness experiences, only access by foot is allowed.

Wilderness areas are essentially unaltered by the influence of European settlement.

They are managed to:

Protect or enhance the /relatively undisturbed natural condition o the area?

• Provide visitors with opportunities for solitude, inspiration and forms of self-reliant recreation that do not harm the area.

This Wilderness area can be enjoyed by day walkers, hikers and boaters.

Tin Mine Cove, with its sheltered anchorage, is particularly popular with boaters from the adjacent marine, coastal parks and marine national park.

Bicycles are not permitted on these tracks.

Enjoy this unique area during your visit, and please respect the privacy and solitude of other visitors.

Short Walks near here

1. Cotters Beach M 1. 1km, 30 minutes each way

Start this walk at the Cotters Track car park. Enjoy an exhilarating sense of seclusion as you walk through a dry lake (seasonally wet) to remote Cotters Beach

2. Millers Landing Nature Walk 2.5km, 45 minutes each way 

Experience Banksia woodlands, fine views and a different world of mangrove mudflats on this walk.

Use the notes in Discovering the Prom to help you explore these features.

3. Vereker Outlook 3.0km, 1 hour 15 minutes each way 

From here, walk up the road 200m, then turn right at the track sign. Some sections are steep and rocky but the track is generally well-graded. Highlights of the walk include banksia and eucalypt woodland, granite boulders and magnificent views across Corner Inlet and its islands, and Yanakie Isthmus.

You can return the same way or via the Five Mile Road

4. Millers Landing Link As 1.7 km, 20 minutes 

A great alternative to retracing your steps is to use this link between Vereker Outlook Track and Millers • Landing Track

Wildlife viewing at the Airstrip grassy woodlands 

The grassy woodlands around the airstrip, just south of The Gums picnic area, are an excellent place for seeing kangaroos and emus. Please leave your car on the roadside if you wish to explore this area.

Overnight Hikes

Permits MUST be obtained for ALL overnight hikes. Prior to departure, all hiking groups walking the Chinamans Swamp and Lower Barry area need to complete a ‘hiker self-assessment form’, available from the Tidal River Visitor Centre or on Parks Victoria’s website, www.parkweb.vic.gov.au.

On your return permits need to be handed back to the Entrance Gate, Tidal River Visitor Centre or dropped in the “Returned Hike Permits” box at the Five Mile Road gate. These can be checked if Parks staff or Police are notified of an overdue hiker. This should not be relied upon as a check system.

The maximum stay is two nights at any one campsite, and the maximum group size is six.

It is essential to carry appropriate equipment and supplies including a good topographical map.

5. Barrys Creek 6.2km, 2 hours each way

This campsite is mostly used by hikers who arrive in the park too late to reach further campsites before nightfall.

6. Five Mile Beach Camp 18km, 5 hours each way 

The campsite is at the northern end of The Prom’s second-longest beach.

7. Johnny Souey Cove 21km, 6 hours 30 mins each way 

8. Tin Mine Cove via Lower Barry Creek 21.2km, 7 hours each way 

Please note: Creek crossings are involved.

Only recommended for very experienced and well-equipped hikers.

9. Tin Mine Cove via Johnny Souey Cove 35.4km, 9 hours each way 

Although longer in distance, this track is less difficult than walk 8. 

Please Note: The former track between St Kilda Junction and the Tin Mine Cove track junction, near Mt Margaret, has been closed to hikers in accordance with Management Plan recommendations for the Wilderness Zone. Please use either Walk 8 or 9 to reach Tin Mine Cove.

The local flora, fauna, geology, history and some other walks (ChatGPT)

Welcome to Wilsons Promontory National Park, a stunning natural wonder located on the southernmost tip of mainland Australia.

The park was once covered in dense forests, with towering eucalyptus trees and a diverse array of undergrowth. The park was home to many unique species of flora, such as the bright yellow Wattles, which bloomed in the winter months, and the delicate native orchids that could be found throughout the park.

The fauna of the park was equally fascinating, with many species of marsupials, including kangaroos, wallabies, and possums, who thrived in the dense forests. The park was also home to several species of reptiles, such as the venomous tiger snake and the harmless blue-tongued lizard.

The geology of the park was also unique, with a mixture of granite, sandstone, and limestone formations. The park’s coastline was particularly stunning, with towering cliffs and pristine beaches that were home to many marine species, such as the Australian Fur Seal.

The park also has a rich cultural history, with evidence of Aboriginal occupation dating back over 6,500 years. The Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri people were the traditional owners of the land, and they used the park for hunting, gathering, and spiritual ceremonies. The park’s name “Wamoon” means “east wind” in the Boonwurrung language.

One of the most popular walks in the park was the Sealers Cove Track, which took you through dense forest and down to the stunning Sealers Cove. Along the way, you could spot many unique species of flora, such as the pink-flowering heath, which bloomed in late winter and early spring. The track also took you past several waterfalls, such as the Fairy Cove Falls, which cascaded down the cliffs into the sea.

Another popular walk was the Mount Oberon Summit Walk, which offered stunning views over the park and the coastline. The track took you up through the dense forest and past rocky outcrops until you reached the summit, where you could enjoy panoramic views over the park and the ocean.

Sadly, the park has undergone significant changes over the years, with large areas of forest being cleared for agriculture and development. The park has also suffered from wildfires and invasive species.

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