This newsletter includes information about camping booking dates, conservation projects and works in the park
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Wilsons Prom Community Newsletter
Winter 2024
Wilsons Promontory is an Aboriginal cultural landscape. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters and will continue to work together with them to care for Country.
This newsletter includes information about camping bookings, conservation at Wilsons Prom, infrastructure upgrades, and Sealers Cove boardwalk.
Please share it and sign up to the email list here. Stay up to date with community engagement via Engage Victoria.
Image above: Waterloo Bay. Photo credit Caz Treby
Camping bookings
From 1 July 2024, bookings will open for Parks Victoria managed camping and accommodation across Victoria. Thank you to everybody for your feedback about bookings.
Due to high demand at some locations, bookings will be staggered to open at 10am AEST:
- Bookings for stays up to 6 October 2024: currently open
- Bookings for stays from 7 October to 18 December 2024: open between 1-5 July
- Bookings for stays from 19 December 2024 to 1 March 2025: open between 8-12 July
- Bookings will open daily at 10am AEST during the first two weeks of July.
Wilsons Prom camping will open on Mondays (1 and 5 July) and accommodation on Tuesdays (2 and 6 July). For a schedule showing the release of all bookings for Parks Victoria, please see the Parks Victoria website.
Sealers Cove boardwalk rebuild
Planning for the Sealers Cove boardwalk is well underway, with the project moving through a range of assessments. Please see below infographic for details on timing, and the order of assessments required for the project.
This work will provide more information on how we complete this complex project, which will see two kilometres of boardwalk rebuilt on challenging and sensitive terrain.
At this stage, we’re expecting works to commence in 2025, but will have a more detailed timeline to share during the year. In the meantime, information about it will be maintained on the 'Projects' section of our website: www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects
Prom Sanctuary updates
“Who’s a pretty birdy!?”
The Eastern Bristlebird is a nationally threatened species and listed as critically endangered in Victoria. There are fewer than 200 birds remaining in the state.
Creating a long-term insurance population in Wilsons Promontory is of critical importance to the survival of this species.
In late March, the final stage of a three-year project to help create that new population was delivered.
“Thirty-two endangered Eastern Bristlebirds travelled from Jervis Bay, NSW to Wilsons Prom but it was all human assisted,” says Mark Antos, manager of Biodiversity Science at Parks Victoria.
If you’re listening for one in the wild, one of the most common calls of this species sounds like someone saying “pretty birdy” in a high pitch.
In 2020, the Black Summer fires highlighted the realistic threat of entire populations of eastern bristlebirds being lost from a single catastrophic fire.
Projects like the translocation of Eastern Bristlebirds are part of our efforts to create the Prom Sanctuary – a 50,000-hectare climate change safe haven where Victoria’s rich wildlife and habitats are freed from the pressures of introduced predators and pests.
Image credit: Mark Antos
Shipwreck survey
The ghostly remains of a forgotten shipwreck off Wilsons Promontory have been revealed thanks to a new marine archaeological survey.
Maritime archaeologists filmed the wreck of the Cheviot in Waterloo Bay as part of a land and sea archaeological survey of the Prom by Parks Victoria and Heritage Victoria.
“Surveys like this help develop our understanding of these places and ensure any works planned there don’t impact on heritage values. This is our responsibility as custodians for current and future generations.” Parks Victoria Statewide Heritage Advisor Dr Janine Major
Invasive species
We’re continuing to protect significant plants and animals by managing invasive species at the Prom.
Thanks to DEECA Protecting Biodiversity funding, Parks Victoria staff are delivering an aerial and on-ground deer control program to reduce the impact of deer, which includes grazing, trampling, and forming wallows. This funding also contributes to our weed and introduced predator control programs which help to protect the native plants and animals of the Prom.
The work to control invasive species helps in our efforts to create the Prom Sanctuary, and support the success of programs like the Eastern Bristlebird translocation mentioned above.
Safety is always a priority for Parks Victoria. During operations to control deer, there is an Operations Controller to make sure the affected areas are closed.
Featured above: Parks Vic staff managing invasive species Oxe-eye daisy.
Park closure
Wilsons Promontory National Park will be closed between 5pm Sunday 4th August and 8am Friday 9th August 2024 to undertake park management and conservation programs.
Winter lighthouse stays
Built in 1859 from local granite, the Wilsons Promontory Lightstation is a perfect place to witness the Prom’s rugged and spectacular coastal environment while staying in the comfort of the historic cottages next to the lightstation.
The light station has traditionally been closed during the winter months. However we think this is a great time to visit and we are taking bookings as demand increases. We currently have vacancies in early July so jump online now to book.
(it's no) drama visits the Prom
(it's no) drama, a theatre ensemble for people with and without disabilities based in South Gippsland, visited Wilsons Promontory in May as part of their creative development for ‘Street Urchins’.
They were guided in the exploration of Tidal River water creatures with Parks Victoria Team Leader Lynden Costin. The visit was supported by Regional Arts Victoria.
Hannah Bradsworth and Murray Lyster performing in Street Urchins at Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival.
Photo credit: Lauren Murphy.
Aurora Australis over the Prom
Did you catch the solar storm over the Prom in May? People saw the skies light up all across Victoria and southern Australia. One of our local staff was lucky to capture the Aurora Australis at Norman Beach.
Photo credit: Brooke Love
Friends of the Prom (including koalas)
Recently, Friends of the Prom were out restoring koala habitat on the Yanakie Isthmus. Volunteers came together to plant trees and install guards to protect them. Continuous and connected habitat is important so our furry friends can thrive at the Prom.
Interested in volunteering? Please contact membership@friendsoftheprom.org.au if you wish to learn more about joining Friends of the Prom.
Marine news at the Prom
Did you know that Wilsons Prom landscape includes not only a National Park, but also Marine National Parks? In fact, the Prom hosts the largest Marine Protected Area in Victoria and has as many diverse reef communities as the Great Barrier Reef. To take care of them, we have a dedicated team who survey and maintain the ‘blue’ Prom.
Recently surveys are showing overall good health of our Marine National Parks. Urchin monitoring showed that numbers remain low and barren areas are more stable.
The team were lucky to see a giant cuttlefish (Sepia amana) at Cape Wellington. These creatures can change the colour of their skin. They use a tiny pigment with light-reflecting cells. This allows them to mimic rocks, seaweed, fish and other cuttles – very useful for hiding, hunting or mating.
“It’s always pretty special to see Giant Cuttlefish!”– Marine Ranger Cass Nolan.
Park facilities upgrades
Tidal River toilets are planned to be refurbished as part Victoria’s Great Outdoors investment.
Teams have been on site undertaking important site assessments. This includes a complex cultural heritage assessment at Tidal River and Wildlife Trail that was recently undertaken. This is the second on-ground assessment as part of the Cultural Heritage Management Plan. The assessments required sub-surface investigations – the image (right) shows a test pit that was part of the process.
5 Mile Footbridge
In late February we had contractors working to replace the footbridge at 5 Mile Beach. Overnight hikers can now cross the creek safely and access to the beach has been improved for park management vehicles.
Waterloo Bay Track / Norman Lookout repairs
The Park Assets Team along with our Seasonal Rangers have been busy replacing Norman Lookout on the Promontory Road that was showing signs of its age. A new length of boardwalk was also constructed over a muddy section of track on the way to Waterloo Bay.
Tidal River Open Space Project
A project to revitalise the lawned area in Tidal River is proposed. Parks Victoria is working in partnership with community on this 'Tidal River Open Space' project. The work is yet to be fully funded, but proposes a new space for visitors to gather and relax.
To take the next step and be a part of the transformation you can make a tax deductible donation through the People and Parks Foundation https://peopleandparks.org/project/tidal-river-open-space/.
Staff profile: Lauren (Fitzy) Ranger – Park Assets
Favourite place at the Prom: Refuge Cove
Favourite animal: Wombat
Studied a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Wildlife and Conservation Biology) at Deakin University.
Started at Parks Victoria as a Summer Ranger 2016/17 at Gembrook, than worked as a Project Firefighter for the summer of 17/18 and 18/19 also at Gembrook before transferring to Wilson’s Promontory in my current role as a Ranger.
“I am excited to work in a fantastic location with a passionate, friendly and supportive team. I enjoy working in a variety of locations, completing a variety of tasks and assisting others to get the best out of their experience at the Prom.” - Ranger Fitzy
Creature Feature - Orca (Orcinus orca)
Did you know? It’s orca season at the Prom. Some of the team were lucky enough to see a pod while out on site (see image below).
Fun facts about orcas: they sleep with their eyes open, they are dolphins not whales and they are very clever hunters.
It’s rare to see them at the Prom, but now is the time to keep an eye out.
Stay up to date and involved
To learn more about what's going on at the Prom, visit www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects call 13 1963 or email engage@parks.vic.gov.au. Register for emails here