Little Waterloo Bay

Little Waterloo Bay is a white-sand beach on the eastern coast of Wilsons Promontory, tucked below steep, lilly pilly forested slopes and large granite boulders. The clear water and bright sand are the payoff, but you only get here on foot. It makes sense as a destination on the southern coast walk, not an add-on to a driving day.

The beach is framed by rocky headlands, with the hike-in camp set just inland near a creek. On the approach from Refuge Cove, a granite slab opens a view across both Little Waterloo Bay and Waterloo Bay. Pause there for the shape of the coastline, then look back from the sand at the steep green slopes behind the shore. Keep the names straight: Waterloo Bay and North Waterloo Bay are separate neighboring bays. For a photo, use a granite boulder at the edge of the frame; a little of the shoreline gives the pale sand and blue water a sense of scale.

From Refuge Cove, the official route is 6.4 km one way and about two hours, rated Grade 4 for steep rocky sections and uneven ground. The bay can also be reached on foot from Tidal River, Telegraph Saddle or Oberon Bay, as part of a longer southern circuit. The adjacent hike-in camp has basic tables, a composting toilet and creek water that must be treated or boiled. Overnight stays need advance booking and a permit. Low-lying parts of the camp can flood in winter, when overnight numbers may be restricted.