A Hidden Pirate Cove!!

We regretfully left Inverloch (such a beautiful place) and headed further east along the coast. After an argument with Kate (the voice of our GPS) over the correct way to go – Kate, of course, won – we arrived at Yanakie.

Yanakie is the small town just before you enter Wilsons Promontory National Park. The Yanakie Rest Area is a small stop on the side of the road, with a playground, BBQ, toilets and tables. It is basically the carpark of the local town hall. We decided to stay there until we figured out whether we were going to camp at The Prom or if there was somewhere a bit quieter (and cheaper).

That afternoon I went for a drive while Dan worked in the caravan. We knew that staying in a National Park was going to be a bit costly so I went on a mission to find somewhere better. I drove towards a little place called Shallow Inlet. There was a small caravan park on the right but it didn’t look very inviting. A little further on and I entered a beautiful bush campground. My only concern was whether we would fit in. After a quick chat to the ranger, we decided that one of the first campsites was going to be perfect for us.

The next morning we packed up and moved to Shallow Inlet Campground. The campsites are all very private and separated by trees and bushes. There are little walkways to the beach all along the campground.

One evening we went for a walk around the campground and along the beach. The tide was out and the Inlet is very shallow so the water was a long way out. The boys were once again fascinated by the little red and blue crabs that buried themselves whenever we got close. We watched a beautiful sunset then headed back to the caravan before it got dark.

Back at camp we were greeted by a very unexpected guest trying to get into our rubbish bin. It was the first time the boys had seen a wombat in the wild and was a great surprise. 

We visited Tidal River and Squeaky Beach at Wilsons Promontory Nation Park.  We used to go there when I was a kid and it was interesting to see how much it had changed.  As we were driving along the road through the Prom I was telling Dan about all the wildlife we used to see. Then we drove past a big open area on the side of the road and it was covered in kangaroos. On the way home we saw Emus in the same place.

We had a lovely day at Squeaky Beach. The boys thought it was wonderful that the sand is so soft it really does squeak as you walk on it. It was a hot sunny day so we found a nice shaded spot to have a picnic lunch. It was really nice to watch the boys having so much fun playing in the rocks and river where I spent so much time when I was their age.

The beach at Walkerville South had been recommended to us. So one afternoon after the boys finished school, we went exploring. It was high tide so we had to go for a swim to see anything, but all along the edge of the bay was a maze of caves. I swam carrying Zac, Sam and Will clambered over the rocks and Dan found a track up on the cliffs. We found a small secluded beach (probably very exposed when the tide is out, but it was our private beach for the afternoon) and had a great afternoon pretending we had discovered a Hidden Pirate Cove!

We then took in a bit of the local history when we walked over the point to Walkerville North. There are big Limestone Kilns that are no longer in use that you can walk over and look down on. 

We have had a lovely time at Shallow Inlet but have to leave the campground because it is booked out for the long weekend. We have friends from home coming to meet up with us so we need to find somewhere to stay when they arrive.

Let’s hit the road again.....