On the weekend of 26-27 February, I joined five other VSKCers for a trip to the Northern end of Wilsons Prom. The weather forecast was superb – no wind on the Saturday, increasing a little on the Sunday.
|
Shark sighted at Port Welshpool |
As we launched from Port Welshpool on Saturday morning, the inlet was millpond calm.
|
Millpond conditions |
The tide had started flowing out around an hour earlier and we enjoyed a very smooth, accelerated ride out of the inlet. GPS readings showed we averaged around 9 km per hour for the first couple of hours.
|
Doing 9 kmh |
On the open ocean there was almost no swell.
|
Open ocean? |
|
Bill emerges from the Whale Rock |
|
Heading to Lighthouse Point |
We stopped for lunch at Three Mile Beach.
|
Shark sighted at Three Mile Beach |
From Three Mile we headed directly to Rabbit Island. This island is around 3 kms from the Promontory.
|
Rabbit Island |
The circumnavigation of Rabbit Island was the undoubted highlight of the weekend. Paddling anti-clockwise we passed from the sandy beach of the Western shore of Rabbit Island to the rocky cliffs of Southern, Eastern and Northern shores of the Island.
|
All hands on cameras |
|
Big cliff |
Amongst the cliffs were some interesting caves.
|
Cave |
|
Cave Man |
Cracks.
|
Hamish heading towards the crack |
|
And into the crack, in reverse |
Interesting birdlife.
|
Cape Barren Geese domestic dispute |
|
Shag on a rock |
From Rabbit Island we headed back to the Prom and the diminutive Rabbit Rocks and to our campsite at Five Mile Beach.
|
Between a rock and a hard place |
|
Landing at Five Mile |
The campsite, which requires permits and is limited to 12 campers, was set amongst the trees. As we landed at low tide, there was a long carry to get our gear and boats to the campsite.
Some years ago I was moved to take up sea kayaking on a bushwalk around the Southern circuit of the Prom. It was a hot, uncomfortable walking trip. The sea was dead calm and I thought of how much easier it would be to be paddling instead of walking. I had been attracted to the idea of paddling for some time. On that walk Callum told me that it was possible to store a slab of beer in a sea kayak. I resolved to buy a boat. Now, here I was paddling the Prom, drinking vino from Coonawarra and congratulating myself on my choice.
|
Refreshment stop |
The next morning we were spared the long carry of the previous afternoon. The high tide brought enough water up the creek to allow a comfortable launch from the creek.
|
Creek boating |
We headed back up the Prom, stopping for a brief look at Johnny Souey Cove, a campsite favoured by paddlers for its more sheltered shoreline, but presently closed to campers due to the discovery of extensive middens after the recent bushfire.
|
Johnny Souey Cove |
The wind picked up a little on the trip North. I broke out my homemade sail for a little assistance.
|
We are sailing |
We paddled into Corner Inlet while the tide was still flowing out and had an early lunch at Biddy’s Cove. Small crabs crawled all over the sand exposed by the low tide.
|
Soft shell crabs |
The tide was not due to turn until 2.30, so rather than wait we headed back to Welshpool on the last of the ebb tide. Once we got to the point of turning East there was a reasonable Westerly blowing and those of us who had sails were able to hoist them for an effortless ride back to the cars.
|
Tacking the briny |
A great weekend. Thanks to Raia for organising and leading the trip.