--- title: Wilsons Prom Camp type: family status: active area: 370 Family Home tags: - camping - hiking - wilsons-prom - family - outdoor-education date: 2024-09-28 --- # Wilsons Prom Camp Planning Guide **Target Dates:** Sept 28 – Oct 2 (2 Nights / 3 Days dependent on campsite permits) **Group:** Sam (Dad), Finn, Eddie, Gus, Oscar, Sam (5 Teens aged 13–14) **Location:** Wilsons Promontory National Park - Southern Prom Wilderness Area --- ## πŸ“‹ Major Headings & Checklist Overview - [x] **Permits & Bookings:** Parks Victoria Southern Prom overnight permits required. - [x] **Itinerary & Routes:** 3-day loop (Tidal River β†’ Oberon Bay β†’ Roaring Meg & South Point β†’ Telegraph Saddle). - [x] **Navigation:** Avenza offline GPS maps + Vicmap 1:50k paper map & compass instruction. - [x] **Water Management:** Untreated stream/creek water treatment protocol (Boiling / Chem tabs / Sawyer filter). - [x] **Cooking & Stove:** MSR PocketRocket 2 ultralight gas stove. **No open fires allowed.** - [x] **Snake Safety & Gaiters:** Heavy canvas gaiters + SMART tension-indicator compression bandages. - [x] **Pack Weight Management:** Strict 8–10 kg pack weight cap for 13–14yo teens. - [x] **Training Plan:** 12km loaded pack practice hike prior to trip. --- ## β›Ί 1. Route & Daily Itinerary ### Day 1: Tidal River to Oberon Bay * **Distance:** ~7.6 km | **Duration:** 3 hours | **Difficulty:** Easy-Moderate * **Highlights:** Coastal views over Norman Bay and Little Oberon Bay, sand walking, cliffside boardwalks. * **Campsite:** Oberon Bay (pit toilet, beach access, stream water available). ### Day 2: Oberon Bay to Roaring Meg + South Point Day Trip * **Distance:** ~12.5 km (main track) + ~7.5 km return (South Point excursion) * **Duration:** 5–6 hours total * **Highlights:** Crossing coastal scrub inland to Telegraph Track, pitch camp at Roaring Meg, afternoon day pack hike to **South Point** (southernmost point of mainland Australia) or Wilsons Prom Lighthouse. * **Campsite:** Roaring Meg (pit toilet, sheltered bush camp, stream water). ### Day 3: Roaring Meg to Telegraph Saddle / Tidal River * **Distance:** ~12 km | **Duration:** 3.5–4 hours | **Difficulty:** Moderate (gradual steady climb) * **Highlights:** Walking north up Telegraph Track surrounded by Prom tea-tree scrub and granite peaks. * **Finish:** Catch shuttle from Telegraph Saddle back to Tidal River car park. --- ## πŸ—ΊοΈ 2. Navigation, Maps & Compass Training * **Offline Mobile Maps:** Download **Avenza Maps** with the official *Parks Victoria Southern Prom Map* installed. Keep phones in **Flight Mode** to preserve battery. * **Paper Maps:** Carry 2x waterproof 1:50,000 Vicmap / Parks Vic maps. * **Compass Skills:** Teach boys map orientation, taking a magnetic bearing, matching contour lines to real-world landforms. Appoint pair navigation leads each day. * **Electronics:** 1x 20,000 mAh rugged powerbank + multi-cables. --- ## πŸ’§ 3. Water Treatment & Tannin Considerations * **Water Sources:** Oberon Bay stream & Roaring Meg Creek. * **Illness Risk:** **High if untreated.** Ground/river water at Wilsons Prom contains tannins and potential pathogens (*Giardia*, *Cryptosporidium*, coliforms from native animals). * **Treatment Protocol:** 1. Strain water through cloth/filter paper to remove coarse sediment. 2. Boil for 1 minute OR use Chlorine Dioxide / Aquatabs. 3. (Optional) Filter through Sawyer Squeeze / Katadyn BeFree before chemical treatment for clarity. --- ## 🍳 4. Cooking & Food Strategy (No Milk) * **Stove:** [MSR PocketRocket 2 Hike Stove](https://www.bcf.com.au/p/msr-pocketrocket-2-hike-stove/634405.html) (~73g ultralight canister stove). * **Fire Policy:** **STRICT NO FIRES ALLOWED.** Gas stoves only. * **Breakfast (No Fresh Milk):** * Instant quick oats cooked with boiling water + squeeze of honey + sultanas/cinnamon. * Up&Go liquid breakfast packs. * Pre-sliced fruit cake / banana bread & oat slices. * Tortilla wraps with peanut butter/Nutella + honey. * **Lunch:** Salami / twiggy sticks, tuna & chicken foil pouches, flour tortillas, block cheddar cheese. * **Dinner:** Instant noodles + dehydrated peas & corn, Heinz baked beans/spaghetti snaps (130g cans), Continental/San Remo pasta sides, Back Country Cuisine ($14.99 freeze-dried packets). * **Snacks:** Salted peanuts, beef jerky/biltong, pretzels, Snickers/Mars bars, muesli bars. * **Desserts:** DIY Scroggin (peanuts, M&Ms, sultanas), instant pudding/custard powder (water-mix), hot chocolate biscuit cups, freeze-dried apple crumble. * **Drinks (No Condensed Milk):** Hot Milo / hot chocolate (water mix), 3-in-1 coffee sachets (adults), Up&Go, Hydralyte/Nuun electrolyte tabs for kids. --- ## 🐍 5. Safety, Gaiters & First Aid * **Gaiters Recommendation:** [Australian Military Surplus Canvas Gaiters](https://ddcaustralia.com.au/product/genuine-australian-military-surplus-canvas-gaiters-size-medium/) are **highly recommended**. Thick canvas offers top-tier snake bite protection against Lowland Copperheads, Tiger Snakes, and Brown Snakes on narrow Prom trails. * **Snake Bite Kit:** 2x SMART Pressure Immobilisation Bandages with tension indicators. * **Sun & Insect Protection:** SPF 50+ sunscreen, broad-brim hats, Picaridin insect repellent. * **Emergency Comms:** Rent or bring a Personal Location Beacon (PLB) or Garmin inReach due to zero mobile coverage in valleys. --- ## 🦘 6. Wildlife Security & Camp Rules * **Wombat Protection:** Wombats at Oberon Bay & Roaring Meg chew through tent walls and backpacks for food! * **Food Storage:** All food, snacks, and rubbish must be packed in sturdy dry-sacks and kept inside tents (never loose in vestibules). * **Leave No Trace:** Carry out all rubbish in sealed Ziploc bags. --- ## πŸ‹οΈ 7. Training & Pack Weight * **Pack Weight Cap:** 8–10 kg total per teen (approx 15-20% body weight). * **Pre-trip Walk:** Mandatory 12km test walk with loaded packs 2-3 weeks prior to departure to check boot fit, pack adjustment, and kid stamina.