Southern Prom Circuit

The Southern Prom Circuit is a 35.5 km (22.1 mi) loop from Telegraph Saddle, crossing temperate forest and wetland before visiting Sealers Cove, Refuge Cove and Little Waterloo Bay. It is a three-day backcountry walk with two booked camping nights, built around remote beaches rather than a quick coastal stroll. This mapped version takes the short Kersops Peak detour before descending toward Waterloo Bay; skipping that spur makes the walk shorter. The longer Lightstation route is a separate extension, so this circuit turns inland at Little Waterloo Bay. The days are uneven: the map places the first night at Sealers Cove, the second at Waterloo Bay, then returns to Telegraph Saddle, leaving the coast-to-coast middle stage as the longest day.

The first stage climbs steadily toward Windy Saddle, then drops through ferny forest to Sealers Cove. Near the bay, an elevated timber boardwalk runs for about 1.8 km above wetland, keeping hikers out of fragile swamp vegetation. The final approach opens onto pale sand and the shoreline camp, the first overnight stop on the three-day itinerary. The climb and forest descent make a substantial first day before the more exposed coast sections. The boardwalk and open shore are the route's clearest photo stops.

From Sealers, the route follows rugged coast toward Refuge Cove, with views opening between forested stretches. Beyond Refuge, it climbs steeply around a rocky headland through stringybark forest. A short marked spur reaches Kersops Peak before the descent to North Waterloo Bay; the selected 35.5 km itinerary includes this climb. Continue along the sand to the beach's southern end, then cross a granite headland to Little Waterloo Bay. These are steep, uneven Level 4 sections, not a maintained shoreline promenade. The tucked-away bays are the payoff for carrying an overnight load through the hills.

From Little Waterloo Bay, the loop threads behind shoreline dunes and swamp before joining Telegraph Track. A steady final climb returns to Telegraph Saddle. Sand slows the coastal stages, and the creek crossing at Sealers Cove can be deep at high tide, so check tide times before leaving camp. Parks Victoria grades the Southern hikes Level 4; its map's leg times add up to about 11 hours on foot, normally spread over three days. Book both overnight camps in advance, display the permit on your vehicle, and follow the two-night-per-camp and twelve-person limits. Camps have toilets, but untreated water is available only at some sites and supply is not guaranteed; carry treatment and enough water. No food service was found on the route, so pack meals for the full walk. During seasonal shuttle periods, reach Telegraph Saddle from Tidal River or the Overnight Hikers car park; the saddle lot closes to other vehicles while the shuttle runs. Ordinary pets are not permitted in Victorian national parks; assistance dogs have entry conditions.