View from Mount Bishop

We really don't get it.  The tourism literature that guests rely on when planning their holiday downunder seems to down-play this corner of Australia.  Yet, time and again guests say that their visit to 'Prom Country' has been an unexpected highlight of their journey and they wonder why they didn't plan to stay longer.  

So, here are some ideas about where to go and what to do while you are in this corner of the world.

1. Walk at Wilsons Prom - the southernmost tip of mainland Australia.  Wilsons Prom is the jewell in this district's crown, and one day there is definitely not enough.  The landscapes, the wildlife, the vast, pristine windswept beaches will pull you back again and again.  There are so many short walks, day walks and overnight hikes to choose from that you could spend a month there and not see it all.  Larry and I have done most of the walks, and are more than happy to share our local knowledge to help you plan a short walk, a combination of walks or a day-long hike, to suit your level of fitness and interests.  Book in for dinner at the Fish Creek Hotel (Open 7 days) on the way back.
   
   
   
2. Return to Wilsons Prom to experience some totally different but equally stunning scenery and wildlife at the northern end of the park.  The walk to Mt Vereker is spectacular.  For the first kilometer or so, the walking is easy through the coastal banksias and grass trees. It gets a little steeper further along as you clamber up through the granite boulders, but there is so much to see along the way that you’ll barely notice the climb.  As you turn around some of the corners, the topography changes dramatically from the open heathland to stringybark forest and then up various natural rock staircases to the top of Vereker Outlook.  The Big Drift is just wonderful, and another northern walk not to be missed.
   
   Come home, relax in our outdoor hot tub to soothe those aching muscles, and enjoy dinner at Wiggy's on the Green at Foster Golf Club (open Wed-Sat for dinner)
   
   
   
3. Start the day with a relaxing or deep tissue massage in Foster or Port Franklin (or, if you are here on a weekend, in your very own room, with prior booking), and then head out for a fixed wing or helicopter flight over the Prom and spectacular southern coastline.  Have lunch in one of Foster's or Fish Creek's cafe's - or at the fabulous Gurney's Cidery (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) just outside of Foster -  and enjoy Dinner at Trulli Pizza - the best authentic Italian woodfired pizza in Victoria (according to me!).  Closed Monday and Tuesday
   
   
   
4.  See Wilsons Prom from a totally different perspective - from the water, and from September to early December watch for whales as they migrate back to Antarctica.  A few cruise companies now operate from Port Welshpool and Port Albert - and soon also from Norman Beach at Wilsons Prom - and provide fabulous short, half and full-day outings.  Dinner at [email protected], Fridays and Saturdays only.
   
   
   
5.  Drive into the hills and visit Turtons Falls, Agnes Falls (Victoria's highest single-span water fall) and the wonderful Tarra Bulga National Park, a pristine temperate rain forest a little more than an hour's drive from here and it's full of Lyre Birds.  Enjoy fish and chips at Port Albert on the way home.
   
   
   
6. Explore the wonderful galleries, museums, wineries and cidery this district has to offer.  Foster, Fish Creek, Meeniyan, Toora and townships beyond have a wealth of creative talent to stimulate the senses and maybe even tempt you to purchase a memento to take home with you.  A new restaurant is soon to open just down the road from Llarrinda, with magnificent views to Wilsons Prom.  We will let you know as soon as it's open for business. 
   
   
   
7. If you still haven't seen a wombat in the wild, then Larry will take you out on his 1-hour 'wombat safari'.  The most he has spotted in one night is 12, but usually it ranges between 3 and 5, plus the odd koala, kangaroo and brush tail possum.
   
   
   
8. Interested in birds?  Then spend some time in our garden, where we have recorded 65 species of birds - some resident, some visiting.  Then, take your binoculars and head to the Toora bird hide to see how many species of migratory birds you can observe.  Corner Inlet and the coastline to the east is recognised as a wetland of international significance for migratory birds under the Ramsar convention.  Thirty two species of migratory waders have been recorded, and at low tide these birds can be seen feeding on the mudflats.  Still want more sightings?  Then head for the Bald Hills Wetland Reserve, which is alive with birds and other wildlife.  Then come home to a BBQ of locally sourced, prime quality meats, seafood, vegetables to your taste.
   
   

So, hopefully that gives you an idea of just some of the things you can see and do in this beautiful corner of the world, and there is still more I haven't mentioned, such as local markets, theatre and live music.  So please, do yourself a favour and don't stay for just one night or even two.  Despite what the tour guides say, this is a part of Australia that deserves a longer stay.