We're heading to the prom. Karen has put together a great itinerary for those attending.

Getting there

Williamstown to Yanakie is approximately 2.5 hours (allow extra time for traffic). Follow the Monash Freeway (M1) to join the South Gippsland Freeway (M420/A440) to Meeniyan. Take the Meeniyan-Promontory Road (C444) to Yanakie. Continue through Yanakie to enter the Wilsons Promontory National Park. Tidal River is a further 30 minutes drive from the entrance. The closest fuel supplies are at Yanakie, Fish Creek and Foster. Take great care driving and look out for wildlife.

Useful Information

Wilsons Promontory National Park

Mobile phone coverage is patchy in the national park. Do not rely on phoning each other to arrange meeting spots. Your phone battery will drain quickly so consider switching to flight mode or bringing an extra power source.

Food outlets are limited to Tidal River, Yanakie and surrounding towns. Consider taking a picnic lunch, fruit, snacks and drinks with you if you plan to be in the park for most of the day.

• Yanakie General Store is open 8 am - 6 pm.
• Wilsons Prom Pizza, 3 Millar Rd, Yanakie.03 5682 2445Friday: 4 pm - 8 pm. Sat: 12 pm - 8 pm
• Tidal River general store. 9 am - 6 pm (hours can vary)
• Fish Creek has a hotel, cafe, general store, fuel and a number of galleries.
• Foster is a small town with a hotel, cafes, supermarkets, pharmacy and fuel.

Pack a spare pair of shoes and socks in the car in case you get wet feet at any of the beach locations.

Watch where you step, stay on the path and keep a lookout for snakes. A small first aid kit in your camera bag is recommended.

Inspiration

• Freephotoguides
• Sunset at Whisky Bay

Friday October 13

Sunset at Shallow Inlet - Meet at 6:30 pm at the end of Hourigan Camp Lane

If you are fortunate enough to be able to get to the area by late afternoon, sunset is at 7:31 pm.

A short and flat walk (400 metres) via a gully of tea tree and swamp paperbark that leads you to the inlet.

Photo Opportunities

• coastal flora
• fauna
• the inlet itself.

High tide is at 5:39 pm.

Suggested Equipment

• Wide angle lens or zoom lens for landscape/seascape
• Long lens for birds
• Macro lens for intimate landscapes of flora
• Tripod
• Filters (if you have them)
• Torch
• Insect repellent

Drive carefully back to your accommodation and either self-cater for dinner or grab a pizza at Wilsons Prom Pizza in Yankee (open until 8pm).

Saturday October 14

Sunrise atTidal River - Meet at the Norman Beach Carpark at Tidal River by 5:45 am

From Yanakie allow at least 1 hour as you will be driving more slowly and looking out for wildlife. Better to arrive early and not take any risks on the road or harm any wildlife. Carpool if possible.

• Sunrise is at 6:31 am. Access the Tidal River area via the boat ramp.
• Low tide 5:54 am.
• High tide 12:22 pm.
• Toilets.

Photo opportunities

• Tidal River
• Reflections
• Boulders with coloured lichen
• Norman Beach and coast
• Wetlands
• Landscape/Seascape

Suggested Equipment

• Wide angle lens or zoom lens for landscape/seascape
• Tripod
• Filters (if you have them)
• Torch
• Gumboots, bare feet or reef shoes/sandals (if you don’t mind cold water)

Morning - 8am atLoo-Errn Track

For those who didn't set an early alarm, consider joining the early birds at the Loo-Errm Track.

Spend the rest of the morning exploring the Loo-Errn Track that follows the south bank of Tidal River to the Tidal River footbridge and boardwalk. An easy, flat walk of 1 km (30 minutes). There is a good chance of spotting wombats and birds.

Suggested equipment:

• Wide angle lens or zoom lens for landscape/seascape
• Long lens for birds
• Macro lens for intimate landscapes of flora

9:30 am - meet at the footbridge

For those who don’t mind a bit of an uphill hike we will do the Tidal Overlook Circuit from the footbridge. 3.8 km circuit (1.5 hours return). The views over Norman and Leopold Bays are worth some huffing and puffing. Stop at thequiet place, dedicated to rangers worldwide who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Continue to the Lilly Pilly Link Track junction and turn right to return to the footbridge. An alternative is to walk part of the way and do a U-turn.

Suggested Equipment

• Wide angle lens or zoom lens for landscape/seascape
• Macro lens for intimate landscapes of flora
• Good walking shoes or runners
• Water

Lunch - Meet at midday at theTidal River General Store

BYO or purchase a take-away lunch and enjoy it with the group at the picnic tables near the Visitor Centre car park.

Afternoon - Meet at Picnic Bay car park at 3 pm.

There is a viewing platform at the carpark and another lookout along a path and steps. Beach access via stairs and some dunes. Pick an option that suits your fitness or mood. Those who are able to access the beach can take part in an ND filter demonstration if the tide allows good subject matter.

• Low tide 11:18 am.
• High tide 5:17 pm.
• Toilets.

Suggested equipment:

• Wide angle lens or zoom lens for landscape/seascape
• Tripod
• Filters (if you have them)

Golden Hour and Sunset - Meet at Whisky Bay car park by 6:30 pm

A track leads from the carpark along Whisky Creek before passing over sand dunes to a sheltered beach.

• Sunset is at 7:32pm.
• Toilets.

Photo opportunities:

• Coastal flora and intimate landscapes
• Dunes
• Creek
• Rocks
• Seascape

Suggested equipment

• Wide angle lens or zoom lens for landscape/seascape
• Long lens for birds
• Macro lens for intimate landscapes of flora
• Tripod
• Filters (if you have them)

Evening

Dinner - Self cater

Astro

There may be an opportunity for astrophotography if the weather permits. A decision will be made at the sunset location.

Sunday October 15

Option A

Sunrise at Yanakie boat ramp

Meet at 6:00 at the Yanakie boat ramp carpark, just past the Yanakie Caravan Park. Sunrise is at 6:29 am.

Morning

Meet at the Prom Wildlife Walk at 9:00 am. The walk takes you across open grasslands to view native wildlife (fingers crossed). 2.3 km ( 45 minutes return)

Suggested equipment:

• Zoom lens
• Long lens

OR

Option B

Early morning alternative for the physically fit - Big Drift sand dunes

Meet at 7am at The Stockyards to take advantage of morning light. 4km walk, 1.5 hours return.

Starting at The Stockyards, follow signs to the northern flank of Big Drift, an expansive landscape of inland sand dunes. It’s easy to get lost, so mark your path to return. No beach access from Big Drift. (Karen has done this walk in the past. Mostly flat farmland until you reach the dunes).

Lunch

Fish Creek Hotel, 1 Old Waratah Rd, Fish Creek 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm