Itineraries

You could spend days at Wilson’s Promontory and not see everything. The park is enormous and has dozens of hiking tracks, beaches and other sites that are unlike anything you’ll see elsewhere. There are sites that are only accessible by foot and require overnight camping. But don’t worry if you only have a short time in the area, there is heaps that is readily accessible by car and can be easily visited in a day trip from River Drive Motel.

Day 1: Arrival and Venus Bay
The drive from Melbourne:

Beat the traffic and leave Melbourne early. Take your time and come via the stunning coastal route that will take you through Kilcunda, Wonthaggi and Inverloch. Check out our guide for some great options for lunch on the way through.

Afternoon:

Head down to Venus Bay for swimming and beach activities, only 5 minutes by car. If the crew is feeling extra energetic, ride the complementary motel bikes instead. In cooler weather, go kangaroo spotting just before sunset along the track to Venus Bay.
Evening: Have a drink and a snack in the motel garden (the ice machine is in the shed!). Fire up the barbecue or get dinner at the pub.

Day 2: Wilsons Promontory National Park Day Trip
Morning:

Make a stop at Fish Creek for a coffee and something to eat before continuing on to Wilson’s Promontory. A wilderness cruise with Wanderer Adventures from Tidal River is a great way to see a lot in just a couple of hours.

Lunch:

If you haven’t packed a picnic or the general store at Tidal River has a selection of pre-made sandwiches and wraps as well fish and chips. Just watch out that the rosellas don’t help themselves to your lunch.
Afternoon: Swing past Squeaky Beach for the most pristine sand you’ve ever seen, have a walk at the Prom Wildlife Walk for emus, wombats, wallabies and kangaroos and explore the dunes of Big Drift.

Evening:

Drive back to the motel via Meeniyan. Trulli and Moo’s are great options for dinner and you only have a 20 minute drive back to the motel afterwards. If you’re too exhausted to eat in, get some takeaway pizza from Trulli.

Day 3: The drive home
Morning:

Feel like a sleep in? Request a free late checkout which can nearly always be accommodated. Jump in the car and head towards Kongwak for their weekly Sunday Market. The stall holders vary week to week but regulars include Gomathy’s Kitchen and The Bearded Baker who will have you sorted for breakfast, brunch and/or lunch.

Midday:

Head up to Coal Creek, Korumburra. Set in 27 hectares of parkland, this free, open-air museum is a fascinating exhibition of life in the country towns of Gippsland in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Afternoon:

Grab a beer and pizza at the Burra Brewery or head straight through to Loch Brewery and Distillery if gin, beer and charcuterie is more your style. Stock up before you head back to Melbourne which is around 90 minutes from Loch.

Tips:
Driving: Many of the roads in the area are narrow and winding. Drive carefully especially in wet conditions and at night and make sure you have plenty of fuel/charge.

Packing: The weather can change quickly and many of the sites of the area can be isolated. Pack a hat and sunscreen, bathers and towel, something warm and plenty of water.

Local Flavour: Try regional wines and fresh produce available at local cafes and restaurants. You can also pre-order food hampers and meal kits from us, freshly prepared by our partner Udder & Hoe in Kilcunda.

Perfect for those cooler months and those who love good food, drink, art, craft and vintage goods.

Day 1: Arrival and Local Nature Exploration
Afternoon:

Get out of Melbourne a little early and take the coastal route to Kilcunda. Stop at Shelley Beach for a few breaths of sea air before you head to Udder and Hoe for oysters and aperitivo.
Evening: Feeling tired? How about wine and cheese for dinner and relax in the motel garden or watch a movie in your cosy room

Day 2: Wilsons Promontory National Park
Morning:

Lucky you went to bed early because you need to take a short drive/cycle/run (if you’re properly fit) to Venus Bay No. 1 surf beach. Just after sunrise, the water is smooth except for the rolling surf. The beach is never busy at this time of day and you might even have it all to yourself. Breakfast back at your room with one of our breakfast hampers.
After breakfast, hop in the car and head towards Agnes Falls which is just on the other side of Toora around 50 minutes away. It’s just a short walk from the car park to view the spectacular falls. After you’ve had a look around, head back down the hill towards Toora’s scenic Stanley St which has a number of vintage and homewares stores.

Midday:

For lunch, take a 15 minute drive to Gurney’s Cidery. Order a tasting paddle and a generous charcuterie and cheese platter and take in the spectacular views across Corner Inlet. Afterwards you might like to pre-book a tour of the amazing underground cellar or swing back through Foster to take a look through the amazing op shop or vintage stores.

Afternoon:

Spend the afternoon down at the Walkerville South Beach. This stunning beach looks across towards Shallow Inlet and Wilsons Promontory. It’s sheltered, safe for swimming and perfect for sun-bathing. Active people can explore the caves, historic lime kilns and cemetery.

Evening:

There’s every chance you can’t drag yourself away from Walkerville South. If that’s the case, grab a burger from the Walky Kiosk and sit on the sand until sunset. If you’ve decided to head back early, make sure you drop past the Cape Liptrap Lighthouse before you have Fish and Chips in the motel garden.

Day 3: Coastal Drive
Morning:

Chances are you still haven’t finished your breakfast hamper but if you’re looking for something else, you might like to head to Inverloch. If you’re lucky, the Lions Club Farmers Market will be on (last Sunday of each month), otherwise there are a number of quality cafes for breakfast and/or coffee.
Spend the rest of the morning stopping in at the beaches along the Bunurong Marine National Park. Go fossil hunting at Flat Rocks and rock pooling at Cape Paterson.

Midday:

There’s heaps to do in and around Wonthaggi. Grab some lunch at Folks, South Drop Espresso or Hicksborough Cafe. Take a walk around the historic State Coal Mine, Baxters Wetlands and even the Victorian Desalination Plant.

Afternoon/Eventing:

If you still have energy, Phillip Island is just a small detour. You can spend the afternoon exploring the nature parks of the Island before taking in the world-renowned Penguin Parade which occurs around sunset.