This is an opportunity to ride to one of our iconic national parks in Victoria, and Australia. We will be camping at the Tidal River Campsite which is set behind Norman Bay Beach and is adjacent to Tidal River. I have booked two campsites which will accommodate 6 people per site. The sites cost $35.70 each. If we have less than 6 people, we will only use one site and I will cancel the other. Site cost will be shared between us. First come, first served.
I have camped at Wilsons Promonary many times over the years and it one of the best places of natural beauty I know. I have ridden my previous Veapa, and Suzuki Cruiser down to The Prom and camped in the camping ground there. There are toilet facilities with showers and a cafe/small general store.
Meeting point: Old Jetty Cafe, 25 Foreshore Rd, Tooradin (03) 5998 3937
Leaving time: I will arrive at 9am. We will aim to leave from this venue at 9.30 am. Come earlier if you would like a hot drink and food beforehand. I will book a table for us.
The journey: The total distance to Wilsons Prom from Tooradin: 158 km. I am allowing 3.5 hours which includes a stop and look around at Fish Creek. A small country town with some iconic art and craft shops and of course the iconic Art Deco styled Fish Creek Hotel
While we are at The Prom: We will explore tidal river via the Loo-Ern walk, explore Norman Bay beach and Squeaky beach nearby, which won the award for the best Australian Beach of 2024 from Tourism Australia.
What to bring: (A more detailed list will be provided later)
Clothes: You need to bring clothes and footwear to suit all weather conditions, including rainproof coat and beanie. Footwear that you can wear on the short walks that we will be doing ie to nearby beaches and along the Loo-Ern Walk. A waterproof bag or top box to put it all in. (You can also use your pillon seat to starp a bag to).
Accommodation: You will be sleeping in your own tent. Preferably a 2 or 3 person hike tent which will pack up small. If you dont have, you can purchase or rent or maybe borrow. Suiable enough to carry on your scooter.
BYO Sleeping bag suitable for Spring conditions as it can get cold at night. An inner sheet if you have, for added warmth. Blow up airbed, self inflating mat, sleeping mat. Pillow.
*****NOTE THAT A TIDAL RIVER UNIT (QUEEN BED) HAS BECOME AVAILABLE FOR $240 FOR SATURDAY NIGHT. One of our members had booked it, instead of camping in a tent, but is unable to attend now. It is now available on a first come first served basis by notifiying me in the comments below. (The rest of us will still be using tents and this unit is not far from where we will be camping). Note that this offer will be in place until this Thursday 25 September.
Food/drinks: BYO. There is a store at Tidal Rive Camp that sells food/drinks, including takeaway
Cooking gear: BYO. (I will be bringing a Trangia stove and/or butane burner and fuel. Also small pots, cutley etc)
***I will upload a more detailed 'what to bring' list to assist you with planning over the coming days. This will also include some options of where camping gear can be purchased or hired.
Some links to get further info on this amazing location: Note:
*Tidal River campground
*Wilsons Promontary National Park
*Loo-Errn Walk (Wilsons Promontory National Park)
Please add a comment on this event post with any questions you have and I will do my best to answer them asap. This can be about any aspect of this trip.
I have had many years of camping with my Vespas, and motorbike in Victoria, South Australia, NSW, Queensland and Tasmania, so I am happy to answer any questions you might have to help you decide and prepare for a riding and camping adventure such as this.
Level of experience: You need to be confident and skilled enough to ride the distance as outlined above. Also confident to carry your belongings on your scoot, including clothes, tent (or part thereof if sharing), sleeping bag, food, toiletires etc. I will add some packing options and strategies to this post. The aim is to keep what you are taking to a minimum to reduce weight. I will include tie down options too. Practice loading your scoot and taking it for a ride, if you have not done before. Again, ask any questions you might have in the comments below.
****PLEASE REFER TO ANY UPDATES IN THE COMMENTS BELOW WHICH WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR PLANNING THIS RIDE
Cheers, Allan
Comments
I am looking forward to our weekend away, this weekend! I hope you all are too!
Some additional notes from what has already been posted re what to bring and other matters:
Weather/clothing for this weekend: I have checked BOM and it looks like its going to be a great weekend weather and temp wise. There is a chance of rain on Saturday (10%) and Sunday (10% up to 50% during the time we will be away, so hopefully it stays away! Temps on Sat overnight are 13 to 16 which is not too cold). So ensure you have enough warm, waterproof and windproof clothing for the day and overnight. Also sunnies, hat and sunscreen, as there is plenty of sunshie predicted.
Other gear options: I will bring a headlamp which is very useful for wearing around at night when needed. Bunnings sell for under $5. Other camping and outdoor shops also sell but can be more exprensive.
Snacks and drinks: BYO for along the way, and at the Prom. As mentioned in an earlier post, there is a cafe and small supermarket at Tidal River camp.
Charging phone: BYO own phone charger if you have. Otherwise use power outlets at toilet blocks nearby, as we are on an unpowered site.
Tarp set up: I will be pitching a 4 x 2 metre tarp that we can all sit under. I'll also bring a suitable ground sheet that we can sit on. This will offer some protection from the ground, sun and rain. If its windy, this protection will be limited.
***Please add any other comments or questions on this event post and I will endevour to answer today.
Cheers and happy preparations, Allan
A more detailed "what to bring list" will be coming soon......
It will include a few extras not included above, under What to bring
UPDATES:
1. See update in the event post above re a unit becoming available for 1 or 2 people to use for our weekend away, including the timeline to respond to this offer.
2. if you need camping gear and you dont want to buy or unable to borrow, it can be hired from Vast Outdoors in Moorabbin, either by visiting or contacting the store. Examples of gear and equipment that can be hired include the following: waterproof jacket and overpants, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, stove (Trangia) and fuel bottle (fill with methylated spirits), hike tent: 2 or 3 person (I use a 3 person as it gives me room for my gear, or to share with someone else). See link for Vast Oudoors and search under "Hire": Booking hire equipment would need to be done by Monday 29 SAeptember at the lastest and earlier if possible. ***Pick up day for hire equipment would be Friday 3rd October at the store.
Vast Outdoors
3. I have an extra sleeping mat and tent (3 man and designed mainly for summer camping but I have used all year including snow camping). I will also be bringing 2 stoves, which I am happy to share
Cheers Allan
Hi Leo thanks for the update. I have removed these links and will upload when I can rectify the situation. I have updated the event post accordingly and people can still access the information under the headings I have listed above in the event post. Cheers.
Hi Allan, could you check the posted links? They’re not working for me. It seems they’re missing the colon (:) after the https. Cheers.