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Foster,
once known as Stockyard Creek, was a gold mining town settled in the
1870s. The town boasts close access to Wilsons Promontory and is a popular
base for tourists. Set in the centre of a rich agricultural area, Foster
is the main shopping centre for visitors to Wilsons Promontory and the
beaches of Corner Inlet and Waratah Bay. Take your time to look through
the variety of shops, visit the gallery or relax with a coffee or a meal
at the cafés, bakery or pub. Take a stroll through the town and enjoy the
wide range of public art.
Toora
is located on Corner Inlet which is a designated Ramsar wetland site of
international significance, renowned for the huge variety of migratory
birds which nest in the area. A must for all nature lovers is the bird
hide just south of Toora. Take the Toora Historic Tour by following the
trail markers for historic buildings, see the community arts projects in
the street with painted poles and banners. Take time for refreshments at
the cafés or hotel. On the hills behind Toora, and seen for miles around,
are the turbines of the Toora wind installation.
Fish
Creek is a whimsical rural
village busily re-inventing itself to attract visitors en route to the
Prom. Experience the character of Fish Creek, where you can dine at the
pub and cafés or browse through the bookshop, gallery or other shops.
From the novelty giant mullet on top of the Fishy Pub, to the fish-shaped
seats placed around the town there is more to this uniquely themed town
than meets the eye.
Walkerville
is situated on the shores of Waratah Bay. Both Walkerville North and South
overlook the Cape Liptrap Coastal Park and Wilsons Promontory. Once home
to a thriving lime industry, remnants of the kilns can still be seen
lining the cliffs of Walkerville South. The Cape Liptrap Coastal Park
stretches from the sand barrier at Point Smythe to the sheltered waters of
Waratah Bay and features strikingly beautiful scenery. Walkerville South
features a historic cemetery and the burnt-out kilns while Walkerville
North has boat ramp access, swimming and camping.
Yanakie,
nestled on the isthmus between Shallow Inlet and Corner Inlet Marine and
Coastal Parks is the last settlement before the Prom. The sheltered waters
of Shallow Inlet provide a secluded and peaceful setting for a wide range
of water based activities, while Corner Inlet provides a safe haven for
over 180 species of birds.
Sandy
Point, where there is no
set pace and the General Store and Café provide the necessary services to
make your stay a pleasant one. Strolling along the pristine beach and
looking across towards the Prom, it is impossible to ignore the beauty and
relaxed nature of the town. Summer days at the beach are made safer by the
presence of the local Surf Life-savers and entertainment is often provided
for locals and holiday-makers alike at the Waratah Beach Surf Life-Saving
Club.
Welshpool
is located on the South Gippsland Highway, 5 kms from Port Welshpool. It
is described as the gateway to Corner Inlet. Drive up Slades Hill Road to
Agnes Falls and stop to enjoy the stunning Prom Coast views and rolling
green hills of the Strzeleckis.
Port
Welshpool is a busy port
used by many commercial fishermen. Recreational fishing is enjoyed by boat
from the boat ramp. It has an excellent maritime museum. Offering superb
views of Wilsons Promontory the Port is a fantastic place to relax with
family-friendly swimming beaches and a nice watering hole for the adults.
The Long Jetty is currently closed for safety reasons.
Port Franklin is a small
settlement situated on Corner Inlet, close to Foster and Wilsons
Promontory. It is located on the banks of the Franklin River, which is
lined with a number of professional fishing boats that work the waters of
Corner Inlet and Bass Strait.
To explore the uniqueness of the town you can stroll along the boardwalk and walking track through the Port Franklin nature park that lies within a loop of the Franklin River.
Route 1: Turtons Creek Falls, begin from Sth Gippsland Hwy at either Foster North-Dollar Rd or Boolara-Foster Rd (40km, 1 hour round trip). The road winds down gullies, through rainforests of tall gums and wattles with fern and tree fern under storey. There is a picnic area and walking track.
Route 2: Mt Fatigue - Mt Best, begin from Boolara-Foster Road, Foster or Creamery Valley Road, Toora, (41km, 1 hour round trip). The 360º view takes in Corner Inlet, Wilsons Promontory, the hill country and coastal areas. The cooling towers of the Latrobe Valley power stations can be seen on a clear day. The drive to Mt. Fatigue and beyond to the Grand Ridge Road is through magnificent mountain ash and fern forest and pine plantations.
Route 3:
Agnes Falls, begin from Silcocks Hill Rd, Toora or Slades Hill Rd,
Welshpool (32km round trip). Victoria's highest single-span falls at 59
metres. Water falls into a deep fern gorge and is spectacular after heavy
rains. Short walk from car park for viewing. Picnic tables, wood
fireplaces and toilets available. Fish for trout, eels, and blackfish in
the quiet river above the falls.
Route 95: Hiawatha, Minnie Ha Ha Falls/Tarra Bulga National Park (130km, 3
hour round trip) From Welshpool, drive through rolling dairy country to
Binginwarri, then skirt the State Forest until you arrive at the Minnie Ha
Ha Falls which is a great picnic spot. Drive through Hiawatha, along the
Grand Ridge Road to the Tarra Bulga National Park down to Yarram,
returning to Welshpool via the South Gippsland Highway. The Grand Ridge
Road is 103 miles long and was the early settlers' highway from Korumburra
to Carrajung. It was studded with hotels and guest houses. Some still
remain although most signs of early settlement have now disappeared.
Route 97: Cape Liptrap (130km, 3 hours round trip) Enjoy the splendid beaches at Sandy Point and Waratah Bay, walk to the historic lime kilns along the cliff tops from Walkerville North or view them from above at the car park at Walkerville South. Spectacular views of Wilsons Promontory and islands, Waratah Bay and Shallow Inlet. Drive down to the Cape Liptrap lighthouse then on to Foster via Fish Creek and the lookout at Mt Nicoll. Picnic spots and BBQs available at most stops.
In addition to walks at Wilson Promontory, Tarra Bulga and Turtons Creek, there are walks at:
Bennison, from the Franklin River Reserve to the Toora Cemetery along Dorans Road, is a natural habitat for koalas.
Port Franklin board walk.
Toora, historic tour following trail markers for historic buildings.
Great Southern Rail Trail at the Prom Coast end: starting from Charity Lane on the outskirts of Foster the trail takes you through to Fish Creek, Buffalo and Meeniyan, with various access points along the way. Ideal for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Easy access to the towns of Foster, Fish Creek and Meeniyan along the way.
Mt Nicoll Lookout,
where the re-developed walking track gives spectacular views to the Prom.
Foster Flora Reserves
Bratuaulong Walking Track incorporating Cody Gully Walk and Ophir Hill Walk, is accessed from McDonald Street,
Hayes Walk begins very close to the centre of town, from the car park behind the main shopping centre,
New Zealand Hill situated north of the Sth Gippsland Hwy can be accessed opposite the Flag Motel or off Ameys Track.
Yanakie, Foley Road, 2 walks: Duck Point loop track and Yanakie Landing circuit walk.
Yanakie, Hourigan Camp Lane, board walk and walking track to beach.
Waratah Bay, in the Cape Liptrap Coastal Park behind the Waratah Bay Caravan Park.
Port Albert,
an 11km round trip from the Seabank Caravan Park to Port Albert along the
edge of the Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park.
Lookouts
The lookouts at Mt Fatigue and Mt Best are part of the Route 2 scenic drive. The lookout at Mt Nicoll is part of the Route 97 scenic drive.
Foster North: only 6km north-west from Foster along the South Gippsland Highway, the views are spectacular. Picnic tables and BBQ facilities are provided.
Silcock Hill: part way up Silcocks Hill Road, Toora on the way to Agnes Falls is a lookout with picnic tables and magnificent views across Corner Inlet to the Prom.
Hoddle: Fish Creek-Foster Road, approximately 5 kms from Foster - picnic table with spectacular views across farming country and Corner Inlet to Wilsons Promontory.
Waratah Bay: access lookout from the visitor car park at The Gap.
Bear Gully: One of the Prom Coast's hidden delights. Spend hours here exploring the coastline or rock pools and little sandy coves, walking, fishing or simply relaxing.
Waratah Bay: A beautiful and safe surf beach beside a more secluded holiday township. Good playground and picnic shelters.
Port Welshpool: The shallow waters and sandy beach make this an ideal spot for young children. There are lawns and playground close to the beach.
Shallow Inlet: Renowned as a hot spot for windsurfers and home of the current world speed record made by a sailing craft, it is one of the few places in Victoria where cars are permitted to drive on the beach.
Sandy Point: A beautiful surf beach, patrolled by the Waratah Bay Surf Life-Saving Club over summer on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays except Christmas Day from 29 November 2003 to 12 April 2004 and every day from 29 December 2003 to 23 January 2004.
Walkerville: One of the oldest townships in Victoria, it was developed to produce lime. The remains of the old lime kilns set into the cliffs can still be seen. Boats can be launched from the beach. Walk along the cliffs between Walkerville North and South. Picnic tables and electric BBQ available.
Thanks to Prom Coast
Tourism for information on this page
