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2020 Winter Northern Prom

Page history last edited by Anthony Kost 3 years, 8 months ago

Excursion Itinerary

 


 

Broad Detail

 

Destination: Wilsons Prom. Northern Wilderness Area Circuit

Departure date: 3/7/20

Departure time: trying for 1400 

Estimated walk distance: 56.9km

Cost per person: $21 per man for sites, maps $21, levy $10

Permit required: yes

Vehicle Depart from: Kost HQ

Walk Depart from: 5 Mile gate

Walk to: 5 Mile beach, Johnny Souey Cove, Tin mine Cove, debrief @ Foster outstation

Circuit Walk: yes

Retrace walk:

Vehicle Return Date: 6/7/20

Vehicle Return Time: 1700

Home Return Date:7/7/20

Home Return Time: 1300

Vehicle(s) details:

Make Model Rego Colour Parked location Owner
 
     
5 mile gate  truscott 
Hyundai  i30  BAK833  Red  5 mile gate  

johnson 

        5 mile gate  platt

 


 

Party

 

  • Please edit the page with the relevant details 

 

Name Medical condition Next of kin name & phone #
1. Kost    Clancy Kost 0422779142
2. Platt   Theresa 0438580255 
3. Truscott    
4. Johnson   Kelly 0418506950 
5.    
6.    
7.    
8.    

 

Communications

  • Mobile
  • UHF CB Ch28
  • VHF 2m amateur
  • Broadcast AM radio

 

Emergency plan

  • all ministers cater for 1 emergency meal.
  • Contact will be made with Kaz Standish no later than 8 pm Monday the 6th July. Kaz should contact the police if no contact is made by 12 pm  the following day.

 

Equipment for vehicle(s)

  • Water
  • Towel 
  • Dry shoes and socks 
  • tarps
  • portable kosy 
  • pre departure snack 
  • Breakfast provisions for Foster outstation 

 

Walk detail

 

Day 1: 3/7: HQ to 5 Mile Beach camp site: 18.2km

Attempting a 1400 hours getaway (I might be able to swing a noon departure but won't know until thursday)  from metro. Meet at Kost HQ. Platt will be down that way already. Its Kost, Johnson and Truscott. A snack and cup of tea or coffee at 5 mile car park whilst we ready ourselves for the dusk night walk. Should be at gate by 1645. The society will be embracing poles for this arduous jeep track section and gents can choose to catch up on podcasts. We are close to a full moon but head torches should be on hand. Throw a UHF radio in your kit for when we inevitably string out.

 

5 mile gate to Barry Creek Camp site = 6.2km

Barry Creek Camp site to 5 mile beach camp site = 12.2km

 

High tide 2056 hours = 2.46m

 

Day 2: 4/7: 5 Mile Beach to Johnny Souey Cove: 3km

It is not often that the society program a saturday morning lie in but this is one such time. We break 5 mile camp at 1130 hours. ( note it will be a falling tide and may require costume adjustments) Enjoy a second coffee and the breakfast you truly deserve. Explore Miranda creek and its surrounds. Fill up with water before departure. go gaiters and long pants and work gloves for this section. Its not far but intel suggests it is scrubby with a bloody intent. Set camp at John Souey and delight in the natural wonders of this remote destination. Perhaps a bathe in the waters. Prepare for day 3. 

 

High tide = 1050 hours = 2.34m

Low tide = 1619 hours - 1.41m

 

5 mile beach camp to Johnny Souey Cove = 3km 1.5-2 hours

 

Day 3: 5/7: Johnny Souey Cove to Tin Mine Cove: 14.5km

We need to be walking at 0630 so as we can utilise the low tide to our advantage. We shall parlez as to whether we have breakfast further up the track in the daylight or not.  Fill up with water before departure. Go gaiters and long pants and work gloves for this section.  Intel below suggests that three mile point headland has been recut. We drop down into the Harman cove then over another smaller headland onto 3 mile beach. We hope to have a bed of packed sand for our northerly tramp up to Hunter Point over 4km.

 

Low Tide @ 5 mile beach is 0501 -  .46m

High tide @ 5 mile beach is 1201 -  2.38m

 

Johnny Souey Cove to tin Mine Camp = 14.5 6-7 hours

 

Day 4: 6/7: Tin Mine Cove to 5 mile car park and then Foster house: 21.2km

Big day. Early start. Win the morning, win the day. Depart Tin mine camp 0700 to maximise packed low tide sand along Chinamans. Intel on the swamp levels varies. It will be what will be. Perhaps throw in a pair of shorts.

 

Low Tide @ Bennison channel is 0636 -  .39m

High tide @ Bennison channel is 1341 -  2.6m

 

Tin Mine Cove to Lower Barry Camp site = 11.5km 4-6 hours

Lower Barry Camp site to 5 mile gate = 9.7km 3-4 hours

 

Day 5: 7/7: home

 

Breakfast and depart deadlines pending 

 

 

 

History

Edit

 

 

 

Flora

https://wilsonspromoet.weebly.com/flora.html

http://wpvherbarium.biosciences.unimelb.edu.au/

https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/static/bioregions/wilsons-promontory

 

River crossings

Yes,

Miranda creek Day 2

swamp on day 4

 

Food

All self cater inc  cooker

 
Water

 

See track reports in correspondence.

Carry 1 litre in on friday arvo. Good Water available at miranda creek.

Water is available at John Souey but I would suggest carrying 1 litres from miranda creek

Carry up to 2 litres to tin mine cove. Good water is available at camp.

Carry 1 litre across swamp to gate.

 

 

Shelter

 

Single man's quarters

 
 

Phase of moon

 

Full moon 5th July Day 3 so we should be afforded good light on Day 1 night walk.

 

Tides

This will be important for Day 3. See detail above.

 

 

Maps

 

Avenza maps for iPhone and Android 

 

Use the avenza app to download the Getlost Map below. 

 

81254-2_DARBY_GetlostMap_V11.tif The is file is for printing.

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1159585

 

These vicmap topos can be uploaded to the avenza app

VicmapTopo_30k_A3_T8120-2-3-N.pdf Day 1 Day 4

VicmapTopo_30k_A3_T8120-2-2-N.pdf Day 1 Day 2

VicmapTopo_30k_A3_T8120-2-1-S.pdf Day 3 Day 4

VicmapTopo_30k_A3_T8120-2-1-N.pdf Day 3

 

 

 

Elevation Profile

 

 

 

Avenza maps for iPhone and Android 

 

 

 

Authorities

Minister Platt

 

For park related emergencies only (fire, accident/injury, injured wildlife, significant disturbance and critical maintenance issues), contact the Park Duty Officer (24 hours) on 1300 247 594.

 

Web Resources

http://hikingfiasco.com/2014/07/10/northern-circuit-five-mile-beach-wilsons-promontory/

https://mickbeckers.com/hiking/trip-reports/wilsons-promontory-northern-section-vic/

https://patrickmelon.net/landing-page/victoria/wilsons-prom-north-circuit/

 

Correspondence

 

WP Ranger emailed these recent track reports.

Date: 13/02 - 15/02/2020

 

Lower Barry Creek: Water Level shin deep, water usable Chinaman Creek: Water level knee-deep, muddy (hiking stick / bough useful) Tin Mine Cove: Water Level shin deep, water usable Johnny Souey Cove: Creek shin deep, water slightly salty but still usable Five Mile Beach: Miranda creek knee- to hip deep, water salty and not usable (only with huge effort) Five Mile Road between Five Mile Beach and Barry Creek: one or two small creeks, ankle-deep, water usable Barry Creek: Water shin deep, quality not checked

 

Track up to Tin Mine Cove was well-stocked with snakes thus gaiters would be beneficial.

 

The circuit was really tough and challenging. It took us 3 days for the whole circuit. It was manageable with the help of GPS-device /Smartphone with navigation app. Only with compass and map it would be much more difficult and would take much longer. Track between Lower Barry Creek and Tin Mine Cove was difficult but most of the flags were visible and matched perfect with GPS-dataset (Navigation App). But the most difficult part was between Three Mile Beach and Johnny Souey Cove. This short part was quite exhausting and took a long time because flags and track are not really visible.

 

Summarized was the circuit exactly what we have expected, less sight-seeing and comfortable but more adventure. Further it is a good training area for navigation with compass and map.

 

Hi,

 

we did the Northern Circuit on 1st to 4th Jan, anti-clockwise. Here's a bit of feedback.

 

Collected water at:

Barry Creek camp, flowing ok. Johnny Souey camp south creek, a trickle. Tin Mine creek, flowing ok. Treated it all, just because.

 

Tracks were mostly ok. Used the gps between Chinaman Long Beach and Lower Barry which helped to stay on line and saved time as we lost the track a few times in there. OpenStreetMap path data very accurate through there. More flagging tape generally would be helpful.

 

Swamp was almost disappointing, shin deep at most :-)

 

Met some Park workers off a boat at Johnny Souey cove who advised the Three Mile Point track had recently been recut, but that it now dropped down "too soon" and you have to traverse the rocks for some way to get to the beach. The track is good, but it would be hard to find the start from the north if you didn't know you had to scramble quite a way along the rocks. There is a fairly distinctive orange and black "pyramid" shaped slab, that can be made out from the southern end of Three Mile Beach. The track goes up shortly before this (right/west of slab) and is marked by a cairn and tape. GPS ref -38.8825287, 146.4808919, map ref (MGA94) 549961.

 

Sign at Lower Barry camp directing people to Tin Mine Cove is not only pointing the wrong way, but it doesn't even helpfully point towards the Five Mile Road path. It's just wrong.

 

Sadly, would be good to construct some toilets.

We completed a bushwalk in the northern prom from 26-29 December 2019.  An update on conditions below.

 

Water available at:

Lower Barry Creek campsite - flowing well, we treated just because there were some ordinary looking pools.

Chinaman Creek - no discernible flow, oily sheen on surface and heaps of deer tracks. About knee high. We did not collect water because it looked so bad.

Tin Mine Creek - flowing ok (20 L/minute ish).  Looked and tasted good, but we treated it due to concern about proximity to the campsite and all the euro turds.

Johnny Souey Cove - most southerly creek trickling (10L/minute ish). Looked and tasted ok. We treated it.

Five Mile Beach campsite - stream on N side of estuary trickling nicely (5L/minute). Water looked and tasted good and we did not bother treating.

Miranda Creek at E end of Five Mile Rd - flowing strongly through culvert.

Upper reaches of Chinaman Creek on Five Mile Rd - flowing well, clean, not treated.

Upper Barry Creek campsite - flowing well, clean, not treated.

 

Track conditions:

Five Mile Rd to Lower Barry Creek camp - Overgrown but scrub not too bad and well flagged. Easy to follow.

Lower Barry Creek camp to Chinaman Long Beach - Overgrown. Scrub bad in places. Flagging tape not refreshed properly in several years and difficult to follow in places.  In three places we lost the track and took 5-10 minutes to relocate.  Groups not proficient in this sort of walking will be unable to navigate this section.

Chinaman Long Beach to Tin Mine Cove - Recently scrubbed.  A highway.

Chinaman Long Beach to Lighthouse Point - Western half scrubbed and easy. We had trouble at 523008 where it turns a corner. The track becomes indistinct and there is very little flagging tape. This will confuse many groups. Last 1.8km to Lighthouse Point scrubby but easy to follow.

Three Mile Point - Fairly well flagged, but tape is aging and needs freshening. Difficult to follow in places, but scrub not too bad and can be picked up again ok.  Last 500m to Johnny Souey recently scrubbed and a highway.

Johnny Souey to Five Mile Beach - Recently scrubbed. A highway.

 

 

Suggested gear list

  • Waterproof jacket - MUST ALWAYS BE CARRIED Must be long enough to sit on. Must have an overlapping closure. Should have an integral hood
  • Waterproof over pants - Wind and waterproof. Must cover from waist to ankles
  • Balaclava or beanie - MUST ALWAYS BE CARRIED Woollen or thermal , must cover nape of neck
  • Mittens or gloves - MUST ALWAYS BE CARRIED Woollen or thermal with waterproof over mitts
  • Trousers Loose fitting wool/wool-blend, no jeans
  • Thermal underwear Top and long johns. Underclothing can be used as night or spare day wear.
  • Shirt. Preferably light wool/wool blend and must be long sleeved.
  • T-shirt
  • Jacket or Woollen long-sleeved jumper "Bush shirt", jumper or "Polar fleece" type jacket
  • Socks Wool or wool blend or whatever works for you
  • Boots Must be stoutly made, comfortable, well proofed and WALKED-IN
  • Gaiters, knee high
  • Shorts
  • Thongs or wet suit booties for base camp get around.
  • Spare Underclothes
  • Spare Socks - one spare pair
  • Handkerchief
  • Pack - Comfortable and able to store all equipment inside. Always use a large garbage as a pack liner.
  • Sleeping bag - Good quality bag suitable for zero-5 degree temperatures in a waterproof cover.
  • Sleeping bag inner sheet – reduces need for cleaning bag and is warmer.
  • Sleeping Mat - Closed-cell or self-inflating mat
  • Torch - Small with spare batteries and bulbs Standardise on AA batteries
  • Toilet Gear - Toilet paper in plastic bag (use only white).
  • Small towel or "Chux".
  • Soap (motel size)
  • Toothbrush and paste
  • Mug - Tough plastic or enamel (Note capacity to use as a measure)
  • Plate - or Bowl Knife, Fork, Spoon Tough plastic or aluminium
  • Water Bottle – X 2 Leak proof, 1 litre, plastic, aluminium and wine cask bladder (for base camp water gathering)
  • Cord - 6 metres of light cord 3mm in diameter
  • Sunglasses
  • Compass
  • Map in waterproof case
  • Mobile Phone and battery pack
  • Emergency space blanket
  • Bivvy Bag Bright colour
  • MATCHES / LIGHTER in clip lock bag
  • Whistle on cord
  • Scouring pad
  • Spectacles - spare set
  • Notebook & pencil in clip lock bag
  • Dish Cloth
  • Pocket knife
  • Spare boot lace
  • Personal treats - Chocolate, barley sugar, muesli bars etc for on the track snacks
  • Rubbish bags - plastic shopping bags
  • Ear plugs for snorers
  • Work gloves 
  • Poles
  • Budgie smugglers
  •  

 

Personal First Aid Kit

 

MUST ALWAYS BE CARRIED in a clip lock bag

  • 1 triangular bandage and safety pin
  • 1 medium wound dressing
  • 1 X 10 cm elastic bandage
  • 6 assorted bandaids
  • Antiseptic liquid/cream
  • Moleskin and/or blister kit
  • 12 soluble Panadol
  • Sunscreen (15+)
  • Personal medication items - placed in a small plastic bag.
  • Personal medication should be clearly marked and ministers notified of its use.

 

Group equipment

 

  •  
  •  
  • tarp - platty 
  • Trowel or equiv. JOhnson
  • First Aid Kit - Johnson 

 

Personal equipment for end vehicle

Bagged

  • Change of clothes/footwear
  • Towel
  • Deodorant

 

Menu

  • BYO self cater

 

Post Walk report

 

The routes committee of the Blisters & Chafers Society have an unusual standing order that states that a party journeying the Northern Prom circuit will do so anti clockwise. This sort of wisdom is not challenged. And so it was that our party of four, Johnson, Kost, Platt and Truscott undertook the Northern Prom circuit on the 3rd of July 2020 over 3 nights and 4 days. The weather forecast was not ideal but our collective enthusiasm for wilderness immersion could not be curtailed. 

 

We mustered at the Five Mile gate at 1600 hours for soup and prep. Final decisions were made regarding a communal tarp for meals, Large bags for the creek crossing and the prescribed amount of  water for the 18km jeep track march. The jeep track to Five Mile beach can be tackled a number of ways, and after you have done it once in warm to hot daylight you will think carefully about how you tackle it again. It is the gateway track to unspoiled Northern Prom territory and you are required to make peace with it. Our preferred itinerary is to start late afternoon with the promise of a full or waxing moon under clear skies. In reality we had rolling cloud cover over our five hour march (with short breaks) and beautiful moonlit views of Corner Basin and the lights hugging its rim. We arrived at the Five Mile campsite in the tea tree at 2215 hours, set camp and enjoyed a warm brew before turning in for the evening.

 

The forecast rain rolled in overnight but did not concern us too much. We were sleeping in, waiting for the tide to do its thing. Due to a lot of water coming down Miranda Creek and the high tide, a 0900 hours inspection of the estuary beach saw a lot of black water lapping the shore. We were going for a 1130 hours crossing expecting to strip down. Day two was an easy day for us, with just the 3km traverse into Johnny Souey Cove. By noon we pulled the trigger. No more could our party wait. The need for journey’s progress was strong. We bagged our packs, stripped down to smalls  and sent a canary across to gauge the depth and find holes. By 1250 hours the party had forded the Miranda, clothed, warm and ready for the steepest ascent of the route to Monkey Point. We had water from the car park so there was no need to fill at this campsite.

 

We reduced the pole length of the helinox DL145’s to suit the incline and set our own pace to the top of the headland, mindful to look back at the views of 5 mile beach, Miranda beach and forward to John Souey Cove. The nuisance rain persisted en route and rainbows popped up on the ocean shores. The pad was easy to follow but the foliage was determined to whip us passers by. We made the John Souey Cove campsite by 1415 hours. Tents went up, water fetched, and a late luncheon coalesced into an early dinner and bed by 1900 hours. We made good use of the communal tarp. Good water was flowing in the first creek we crossed, in fact it was bubbling over the rocks, a sight I had not ever seen. The second creek was not explored for potable water.

 

The evening was cool, but no rain until early morning. We struck camp at 0830 hours, mindful of the tide for rock hopping and Three Mile beach walking. By 0900 hours we had calm, clear even sunny weather for this leg. The entry track for the Three Mile Point headland was signposted and easy to follow, and whilst it may have been recently cleared, regrowth is active. It soon wends its way down to the rocks to begin your rock hopping experience. The novelty fades quickly. Be sure you time this for the ebbing tide. If you are doing the circuit clockwise there is a piece of tape flapping about on a tree. The entry or exit point is quite muddied around the takeoff point. Just know, you will have to hold your nerve on the rock traverse for some thirty five minutes. 

 

At the end of the rock hop we reached Harman Cove. We enjoyed a short respite for our knees. Harman Cove is a small beach of 100 m with no estuary. There is another lower headland to traverse onto Three Mile beach. By 1005 hours we were walking the Three Mile beach north, with a small flock of gannets, fishing with a seal. A sea eagle was spotted doing recon. We were now in a flooding tide and made Lighthouse point by 1105 hours, still able to get around the rocky outcrop via the sand. A scramble up the sandy incline with the help of the knotted rope saw us at the Beacon infrastructure and calling an early luncheon. We noted the cleared area for what must be a helipad. No rain. By 1220 hours we were ready for the slog across the Mt Margaret saddle and down to Chinamans Long beach. Our memories of this in 2005 were that it got quite thick from the corduroy onwards.

 

After passing the helipad, the track becomes a pad and we were bashing through new growth of banksia serrata, allocasuarina verticillata, melaleuca squarrosa, xanthorrhoea resinosa (grass tree) and Leptospermums. It thins out a little and we were walking in low heathland with lovely views back to Three Mile beach and around the saddle itself. By 1320 hours we reached the old Northern track Junction that is now identified by a black thong and pink tape attached to a tree. You can just make out the old track that runs south to St Kilda Junction. A bit further on from here we passed two walkers coming from Tin Mine Cove doing the circuit clockwise. We exchanged some track intel and pushed on. The historical corduroy section with the burnt logs and steel cable is pretty open as was the rest of the track to Chinamans Long Beach. We made Chinamans by 1430 hours, pushing up the beach and contouring Tin Mine Hill via the Tin Mine Track in light rain, making the campsite by 1515 hours. We found the camp site in the tea trees up high to be most agreeable. Good water with no taint of tannin was found at the beach. The campsite was pretty clean. We set camp and enjoyed our cuppa soups under the communal tarp. The wind picked up and a chill prevailed. We finished our evening meals and retired at 1900 hours. A party of three younger blokes entered the camp, cold and wet from a day's walk from Five Mile beach. They seemed to have had some trouble crossing Miranda creek which caused their delay. In any case they found some tent space and settled as we drifted off to sleep.

 

It was a grey overcast morning but no rain. We readied ourselves for an 0800 hours departure from Tin Mine. A water fill at the creek and we were moving around Tin Mine Hill back to Chinamans Long beach. With the cloud lifted we had good views of the Hoddle range, Barry beach, Mt Fatigue, Toora wind farms and Port Welshpool. We were walking the low tide with good packed sand over the 4.4. Km to the Chinamans Swamp entry. We arrived at 0925 hours and made some alterations to the apparel we were donning. At 0945 hours we belonged to the swamp. Our eyes peeled for the aging and intermittent flagging tape on trees, star pickets and spear like white poles. The vegetation was very similar to the Mt Margaret saddle track but more grass trees and spikey Hakea’s.

 

A point to note here, is that the route marked on Vicmap topos is not the same route as the flagging tape. It is close, but at a certain point we lost the flagging tape and proceeded on the published route using the Avenza GPS app and consequently entered a world of pain. Clearly at some point, the original track became too difficult to consistently maintain. Our suspicions were realised when we found a hiking tent that had obviously been dropped, as a hapless walker attempted to carve their way through the verdant scrub. It's the shorter route, and we eventually connected with the flagged route but in terms of energy expended, it probably should be avoided. We were bashing through the aforementioned vegetation and at times sloshing through shin deep water with scrub a good meter above our heads. That being said, if you are looking to test your mettle, understand and control your adrenaline glands, then this is the route for you. Maybe we should all do it once.

 

After heading in the general direction, walking in knee high heathland, Truscott eyed one of the star pickets in the distance and we rejoined the Chinamans highway as we headed to Chinamans Creek, to cross its two arms. The first arm was about 30 meters in distance in waist deep water with flagging tape dangling off shrubs above the waterline. The bottom was solid and not muddy. There was tape at the exit point. About 100 meters of land walking and we came to the more extensive crossing, that was not flagged as much. This is because the water level does not usually reach so far across in times of low rainfall, hence the pad would be enough. We entered the water, walking close to the right hand side, steading ourselves with overhanging vegetation. There were some deeper holes abruptly negotiated. We did not bag packs externally, but relied on internal protection. I reckon we did about 70 meters of wading before we exited at an obvious point.

 

We did not stop to change. We pushed for a further thirty minutes over higher ground amidst mature Banksia’s and found a spot for a quick 1400 hours lunch. Our raincoats were on and off as the nuisance rain turned hard to soft, soft to hard. The bush ahead started to change. The eucalypts were starting to show themselves in the distance meaning Barry Creek was not far away. It is then that the heavens opened with a good pour of rain and a gusty westerley. Our planned 10 minute stop at Barry creek became a 2 minute drink stop as we unanimously declared a want to be out of the weather and rid of the vegetation that was clawing our spirits. At 1530 hours we began our march. The Barry Creek was high, so it was time to get wet again. This time just below the knees, albeit a very short crossing. The push to the jeep track was now on. For some reason there was an expectation on my behalf, that it would be low heathland and hence relatively quick to traverse. Wrong. Encroaching vegetation with a worn foot pad underneath and sparse flagging tape and slow going with that nuisance rain. A short stop on the open granite rock between the cairns, for views to Corner Basin and more gloomy weather heading our way in a fading light. We made the jeep track junction just after 1700 hours, kitted up for rain and wind walking for the final 5.5 km to the gate. The jeep track is useful for one thing. Personal reflection. That rhythmic unrelenting march soon caused the chaps to string out and find their own pace. Much like high country horses heading home. The last thirty minutes was in darkness and I was thinking about junk food, slow combustion wood heaters and hot showers. The car park at 1825 hours. I laid the canvas groundsheet at the rear of the vehicle and exchanged wet clothes for dry, loaded all the wet stuff into tubs and made our way to the Foster house, where Brendan had the fire going, beer chilling and pizza prep in hand.

 

So how does this compare to our 2005 excursion? Much more regrowth and wetter. As a consequence the swamp traverse was a bit more difficult. There is a reason why it took us fifteen years to revisit this walk, and that is, because it's hard. What it lacks in mountain pinches it makes up in sloppy beach walking, rock hopping, jeep track blues and spikey vegetation. I like the fact that it's a wilderness zone and it gets little maintenance. The walker it attracts will have a bit of ticker, mettle, and generally speaking, a respect of the earth over which they tread. And when you are cutting your way through social circles in the future and the topic of promontory bushwalking comes up, your companion might say “ I have walked the prom.” You will respond with “north or south”. If they respond with “north,” fertile ground for conversation and mutual respect will be afforded.

 

Over the next 10 years, curiosity will build and no doubt one of our society will submit it once again to the routes committee for due consideration. Count me in.

 

What did we learn ?

  • Do it anti clockwise. Do it on a full or waxing moon

  • Do the 5 mile jeep track late afternoon and fluke the pleasures of night walking

  • Check bushwalk.com forums and parks vic as to when sections were last slashed.

  • Don’t do it from mid December to Feb. I would be nervous about snakes in the chinamans swamp and lack of water at campsites, (depending on seasonal rainfall.)

  • Long pants and gaiters. Don’t walk the swamp in shorts. Legs get a beating.

  • Be prepared for waist deep Crossing of Chinamans creek.

  • We did not treat water.

  • Do your tidal calculations for Miranda creek, Three mile point rock hopping and beach walking

  • Bag your pack and float it across Miranda creek at high tide. It looks deep but if you can swim you will be fine and it's not that cold. If you can’t swim, boil the billy and play cards.

  • Start early each day and get into camp in good time.

  • Follow the flagged route around the verdant regrowth don’t bother following the published route on vicmap topo.

  • Poles are a pain in the chinaman’s heathland. Wear work gloves and maybe protective glasses

  • Poles could be useful when wading the Chinamans creek waist deep section.

  • Do not try to straighten a helinox bottom pole in the field. They break.

  • If your walking heart is in the mountains, a bit of flatlanding on the coast is fun.

  • We love communal tarps for conviviality.

 

 

Photograph archives

 

 

 

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