Tuesday 7/03/2023 Tidal River – Norman Beach
Wilsons Promontory National Park, VICTORIA
GunaiKurnai and Boonwurrung Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
Faced with a miserable, wet, windy day we caught up with chores and reading until the late afternoon when conditions improved enough to tempt us outside. This was a very short walk from the campground along Tidal River, onto and along Norman Beach and back to camp via the Oberon Track.
Max elevation: 23 m
Total climbing: 114 m
Total descent: -113 m
Average speed: 4.53 km/h
Total time: 01:22:27
With gaps in the clouds appearing and easing wind gusts we welcomed the afternoon warmth and the views along the creek and Norman Beach. The Pacific Gulls we passed along the shoreline were not very concerned with of presence which negated the need for a long focal length lens. At the southern end of the beach, the boulders provided a great foreground for photos back to Pillar Point.
Pillar Point from the southern end of Norman Beach
After noting the Parks Victoria track closure sign of the section to Oberon Bay, we headed back to our campsite along the northern end of Oberon Track which comes out near the National Parks Office. The track itself is fringed by very closely spaced banksias which in places form an arch over the track.
This short walk offered a lot of variety and a welcome chance to get outside and remain dry at the end of our day.
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. ory, and breathtaking walks.
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 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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