DJ's Prom Night
- Wandering Wilsons Prom
by
djcache & family
A quiet weekend with a few friendly cachers
in a World Heritage listed National Park, what better way to spend
the 6th - 8th of October 2006.
Wilsons Promontory
in Victoria, is the southernmost point of the
Australian mainland. A granite peninsula, 36km long
with a maximum width of 22 km, it projects into Bass Strait
and is almost an island, being linked to the mainland by
beach ridges. From a spectacular scenic 128km coastline, it
rises to a mountainous interior; its highest point is
Mount Latrobe, at 754
m.
There is a lighthouse at its southern tip, built in the
most precarious of locations using convict labour. The vegetative
cover, which tends toward the xerophytic (adapted to a dry climate)
on the west, is periodically swept by
fires.
Tidal River & its
campground forms the hub of the park and is the most common place
people visiting stay. In peak periods a ballot system is needed to
decide who gets to stay during Christmas and Easter School Holiday
periods. Lodge and hut accommodation is usually booked up to 12
months in advance.
Visited in 1798 by the English explorer George Bass, the
promontory was first called Furneaux Land, after a member of
Captain James Cook's second (1772) expedition. It was renamed for
Thomas Wilson, an English merchant.
In 1905 the entire promontory was made a national park.
It is notable for its beaches, fern gullies, more than 700 species
of plants, and a variety of animals, including emus, koalas, and
wombats. It was World Heritage listed in the late 1970's or early
1980's.
The
event...
More information to follow, but at this
stage a booking has been made and the deposit paid to secure the 30
bed lodge, "Baldwin Spencer" at Tidal River.
This is djcache's old stomping ground
having been lucky enough to have lived in the National Park as a
child while Dad was the District Superintendant with VNPS. Many
years on The Prom still holds very special memories for DJ. A quiet
corner or two of the park seldom seen by visitors may be able to be
visited as a result, weather and permission permiting.
With abundant wildlife both in the Tidal
River area and it's surrounds all sorts of activities are possible,
and a wander with a spotlight would not be out of the
question.
A relaxed weekend without the structure and
demands of the 4wd trips should prove very enjoyable. Those who
wish can team up for longer walks or attempts on difficult caches.
Others may chose some easy caching or short walks such as the
delightful stroll to Squeaky Beach. If even that is too energetic
or the family are on the young side maybe just a play on the
beautiful sandy surrounds of Tidal River or Norman Beach when the
tide is out.
There is an award winning information
centre & theatrette that can easily occupy at least an hour or
so of educational time where you can learn about how The Prom came
to be what it is today.
The venue (Baldwin Spencer Lodge) is
specifically designed to cater for large groups with a variety of
sleeping configurations. We will juggle those to suit the group as
best we can. If (& only if) the lodge is filled, or very near
to it will we give the option of camping. This may be the end
result, if as I hope we get many more than the 30 we need to fill
the lodge.
Should we get more than 30 then the lodge
can be used to accommodate those less used to or not equipped for
camping, who often miss out on some of the other weekend camping
style events. That will be worked out closer to the
time.
To secure a place
attendees must lodge a "Will Attend RSVP note" (
). A non refundable
20% deposit has already been paid and the total cost of the
lodge for the weekend will be $1446. This cost will be equally
divided between the participants for the weekend (with no
charge for children under 5.) The terms and conditions
regarding charges for lodge accommodation can be found
in this pdf
file.
Your share of the
deposit which at this stage will be $10 per head needs to be paid
to djcache to secure your position. This may be done by direct
deposit or cheque - email djcache for BSB & Acct or
address details. Deposits must be paid
within 14 days of notification of intention to attend. The
remainder will be due 4 months before the event as accomodation
must be fully paid up 3 months prior to the
event.
To give an idea of cost:
20 people attend cost will be $73 per head for the weekend (2
nights @ $36.50 per night)
25 people attend cost will be $58 per head for the weekend (2
nights @ $29.00 per night)
30 people attend cost will be $49 per head for the weekend (2
nights @ $24.50 per night)
At the time of planning & writing this
28 people had indicated a willingness to attend in the forums.
Hopefully by the time final payment is due we will have more than
enough to give some the opportunity to camp if they so
wish.
Keep an eye on the forum or see the
event page for more information particularly as the event draws
closer. More information on the history of the national park, fauna
and flora will be posted here closer to the time.
Hope to see you there,,
DJ & family