Journey to The Prom
After saying goodbye to Melbourne, we rented a car and headed south, this time passing the Mornington Peninsula. We stayed on Phillip Island for one night on our way to the Prom, Wilson's Prom that is :) Both places are home to lots of wildlife, beaches, and a relaxed state of mind compared to being in the city.
This area of Phillip Island is called The Summerlands, and the penguins have man-made huts that are scattered all over the cliffs. We remember watching something about these huts in Blue Planet 2, the ceilings easily open for researchers to check on the penguins and observe them.
At the Nobbies Centre there's a really nice boardwalk that takes you along the cliff with views of the penguin huts and out towards Seal Rock and beyond. These penguins chose a beautiful home!
During our exploration of Phillip Island we kept seeing these grey geese everywhere, we always found them in pairs which we thought was funny. Every time we would spot one we'd be like, where's the other one? And it would always be nearby :) I read later the Australian grey goose mates for life, so they are rarely found alone. So sweet! They are native to South Australia.
After seeing the Summerlands our plan was to do a short hike in Cape Woolamai, but that turned out to be a longer jaunt than we thought. I guess the trend for us on Phillip Island was... laziness? haha. We decided to continue on to the Prom.
Sandy Point is a sleepy beach side town, and the beach itself stretched as far as the eye could see in either direction. The wind had a little chill to it but we were able to enjoy an afternoon here laying out.
In the morning we woke up to lots of bird sounds, which is the best way to wake up :) I really love that part of getting out of the city, more sounds of nature and wildlife activity. We ate breakfast and packed lunch and some snacks, and headed out for the day.
We started our day in the Prom with the Tidal Overlook Circuit, about a 2.5 mile hike. This hike took us through the trees, climbing until we were overlooking some of the eastern beaches of the park.
The trail looped around the headland and over towards the Tidal River where it meets the Bass Strait.
It was a beautiful hike, great way to start our day in the park. We always love the native birds, and I love the Australian flora as well.
Taking a break from hiking we figured we had to check out Squeaky Beach, and quickly found out how it came by it's name :) The sand really does squeak as you shuffle across it in certain areas.
And of course, where there are rocks there will be Justin climbing on them... I was impressed with his skills of getting up there!
Back to hiking... it was time for the famed Mt Oberon hike to the ultimate vista over Wilson's Prom. The path is a nonstop incline for just over 2 miles, and was a super boring gravel path. Not sure why they didn't keep it a more natural dirt path. It was a bit of a tough hike being so monotonous... we were hoping it was worth it!
Near the top the path leaves the gravel and continues up against the rock, where you finally reach the summit.
The views were well worth it... what a gorgeous day!
I have to admit... the slope of the rock was kind of freaking me out so I mostly stayed in the position below that's why Justin took a pic... haha. I feel like I'm just self-aware in that I'm a bit clumsy and therefore take precautions :) I mean one wrong step and ?
We were toast after the two hikes, so we decided to see Whiskey Bay since it wasn't a long walk to the beach.
We planned our last stop to be the Wilderness hike, and wanted to get there closer to sunset to see a lot of activity. On our way to the wilderness walk, we lucked out! A cute little wombat was wondering along the side of the road, so we immediately pulled to the side and parked. We joined another equally smart couple running down the side of the road, lol, and taking pictures of him... luckily everyone slows down and rolls down their windows for wildlife :) This was our first wild wombat spotting!
He was totally not interested in us, just eating and going on his merry way. Thankfully he started heading away from the road.
We were sad to leave this little guy, but decided it was time to move our car haha. We continued on to the wildlife walk with the main objective already achieved.
The wildlife walk kind of winds along the perimeter of an airport... not sure if it's an active airport? We didn't see the landing strip or maybe they land on the grass? The kangaroos here are tagged on their ears as part of research for the park.
Another wild wombat spotting! We were really quiet walking up to him, but he was more shy than the roadside wombat. This little guy wouldn't let us get close, so we took pictures from a distance.
We find it hilarious how kangaroos stretch... they really bend backwards and stretch their arms out, kind of punching the air. It looks so funny in person and Justin got some good pictures of it! It cracks us up! They just look so serene and like they don't have a care in the world...
The wildlife walk was a success and we were beat... so it was time to head home.
But the day wasn't over! When we got back to our villa we discovered we had a new neighbor...
This koala was so active too! We had never seen one in the wild this close, and none of the zoo ones had been this active either. He was on a feeding frenzy... just reaching for branch after branch haha. I can understand the feeling and in fact we were feeling the same way at that point in the day. I literally spotted him getting out of the car that's how close he was!
We took a ton of photos of him but when I went to say goodbye to him in the morning he had moved on... there were no leaves left in that tree... just kidding haha. best wishes Mr. Koala!
These nature weekends have been one of my favorite parts of this trip. As much as I'm a city girl at heart, I love getting away from the craziness every now and then to really slow down. Justin and I have especially loved seeing all the wildlife, I think animals remind you to enjoy the little things and be grateful for the present. I'm soaking in each moment of this trip... it's been so different from the first one and in many ways it reflects where we are in our lives now.
Maybe I will do a full post on long term travel, but I relate to the sentiment "wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow". Each location we've been to will always hold a special place in my heart, as each one has helped me to grow or learn more about myself. I feel the most "me" when I'm traveling, it seems through each experience the true meaning of that becomes clearer. It may be simply maturing, or that travel speeds up that process. Travel automatically makes you adjust and appreciate a new perspective of the world, literally and figuratively seeing it from a different angle :) We're given one lifetime to see this beautiful earth so it's nice to slow down and soak it all in, no matter where you are. There's so much to be grateful for.
Anyway, after the Prom it was finally time to fly west! We are currently in Perth and I can't wait to update you guys on the beauty that is Western Australia. Sending love back home, we miss you all!
💙
Sarah
"I hope you aren't held back because of a number.
And that you don't rush into things because it feels
like time is slipping by. I hope you do what's right
for you. Hold on. Slow down. And breathe in.
Your age is your age. But more importantly, your
life is your life. Don't change your journey so
that it matches someone else's. We need to walk
different paths so the whole world can be explored.
Revel in the differences. And enjoy where you are,
Here. Right here."
~ Jessica Jensen
 |
| Morning views in Cowes, Phillip Island |
Phillip Island
One of the biggest tourist draws to the island is the Penguin Parade that happens every day at sunset. Just like the St Kilda fairy penguins, the resident penguins of Phillip Island make their way back to their nests as the sun sets. It seems to be a bigger deal on Phillip Island, you have to buy tickets and the parking lot for viewing the parade is huge. As much as we love penguins, we decided to skip the touristy thing and head over to that area in the morning instead. Another reason we skipped it may or may not have been because we were lazy and it was really cold... 😏 |
| penguin huts dot the cliffs |
This area of Phillip Island is called The Summerlands, and the penguins have man-made huts that are scattered all over the cliffs. We remember watching something about these huts in Blue Planet 2, the ceilings easily open for researchers to check on the penguins and observe them.
 |
| can you spot the penguin inside? :) |
At the Nobbies Centre there's a really nice boardwalk that takes you along the cliff with views of the penguin huts and out towards Seal Rock and beyond. These penguins chose a beautiful home!
 |
| Justin deemed this worthy of our gallery wall! |
 |
| Views east towards Cape Woolamai |
During our exploration of Phillip Island we kept seeing these grey geese everywhere, we always found them in pairs which we thought was funny. Every time we would spot one we'd be like, where's the other one? And it would always be nearby :) I read later the Australian grey goose mates for life, so they are rarely found alone. So sweet! They are native to South Australia.
 |
| Australian grey geese |
 |
| Summerland Bay, home of the Penguin Parade |
After seeing the Summerlands our plan was to do a short hike in Cape Woolamai, but that turned out to be a longer jaunt than we thought. I guess the trend for us on Phillip Island was... laziness? haha. We decided to continue on to the Prom.
Wilson's Prom
We chose Sandy Point as our base for exploring Wilson's Promontory, it was close to the beach and not too far from the park entrance. For a while I was worried we wouldn't be able to see Wilson's Prom, as bush fires were really effecting Victoria and there was an active one in the park the week of our trip. Luckily the fire was contained and the park literally opened the day we went! Our visit got shortened from two days to one day because of it, but it actually worked out perfectly. |
| view from our Sandy Point villa |
Sandy Point is a sleepy beach side town, and the beach itself stretched as far as the eye could see in either direction. The wind had a little chill to it but we were able to enjoy an afternoon here laying out.
 |
| Sandy Point Beach, peaks of Wilson's Prom in the distance |
We started our day in the Prom with the Tidal Overlook Circuit, about a 2.5 mile hike. This hike took us through the trees, climbing until we were overlooking some of the eastern beaches of the park.
 |
| Squeaky Beach |
The trail looped around the headland and over towards the Tidal River where it meets the Bass Strait.
 |
| Tidal River |
 |
| where the river meets the sea |
It was a beautiful hike, great way to start our day in the park. We always love the native birds, and I love the Australian flora as well.
 |
| rock we posed against at the beginning of the hike |
Taking a break from hiking we figured we had to check out Squeaky Beach, and quickly found out how it came by it's name :) The sand really does squeak as you shuffle across it in certain areas.
 |
| maybe don't fish on the cliffs?!? |
And of course, where there are rocks there will be Justin climbing on them... I was impressed with his skills of getting up there!
Back to hiking... it was time for the famed Mt Oberon hike to the ultimate vista over Wilson's Prom. The path is a nonstop incline for just over 2 miles, and was a super boring gravel path. Not sure why they didn't keep it a more natural dirt path. It was a bit of a tough hike being so monotonous... we were hoping it was worth it!
Near the top the path leaves the gravel and continues up against the rock, where you finally reach the summit.
The views were well worth it... what a gorgeous day!
 |
| views out towards Tidal River, Squeaky Beach, and beyond |
I have to admit... the slope of the rock was kind of freaking me out so I mostly stayed in the position below that's why Justin took a pic... haha. I feel like I'm just self-aware in that I'm a bit clumsy and therefore take precautions :) I mean one wrong step and ?
We were toast after the two hikes, so we decided to see Whiskey Bay since it wasn't a long walk to the beach.
 |
| Whiskey Bay |
We planned our last stop to be the Wilderness hike, and wanted to get there closer to sunset to see a lot of activity. On our way to the wilderness walk, we lucked out! A cute little wombat was wondering along the side of the road, so we immediately pulled to the side and parked. We joined another equally smart couple running down the side of the road, lol, and taking pictures of him... luckily everyone slows down and rolls down their windows for wildlife :) This was our first wild wombat spotting!
He was totally not interested in us, just eating and going on his merry way. Thankfully he started heading away from the road.
We were sad to leave this little guy, but decided it was time to move our car haha. We continued on to the wildlife walk with the main objective already achieved.
 |
| our wildlife walk greeter :) |
The wildlife walk kind of winds along the perimeter of an airport... not sure if it's an active airport? We didn't see the landing strip or maybe they land on the grass? The kangaroos here are tagged on their ears as part of research for the park.
Another wild wombat spotting! We were really quiet walking up to him, but he was more shy than the roadside wombat. This little guy wouldn't let us get close, so we took pictures from a distance.
 |
| they are so cute! |
We find it hilarious how kangaroos stretch... they really bend backwards and stretch their arms out, kind of punching the air. It looks so funny in person and Justin got some good pictures of it! It cracks us up! They just look so serene and like they don't have a care in the world...
The wildlife walk was a success and we were beat... so it was time to head home.
But the day wasn't over! When we got back to our villa we discovered we had a new neighbor...
 |
| oh my goshhhh |
This koala was so active too! We had never seen one in the wild this close, and none of the zoo ones had been this active either. He was on a feeding frenzy... just reaching for branch after branch haha. I can understand the feeling and in fact we were feeling the same way at that point in the day. I literally spotted him getting out of the car that's how close he was!
We took a ton of photos of him but when I went to say goodbye to him in the morning he had moved on... there were no leaves left in that tree... just kidding haha. best wishes Mr. Koala!
 |
| Looking out over The Prom one last time |
These nature weekends have been one of my favorite parts of this trip. As much as I'm a city girl at heart, I love getting away from the craziness every now and then to really slow down. Justin and I have especially loved seeing all the wildlife, I think animals remind you to enjoy the little things and be grateful for the present. I'm soaking in each moment of this trip... it's been so different from the first one and in many ways it reflects where we are in our lives now.
Maybe I will do a full post on long term travel, but I relate to the sentiment "wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow". Each location we've been to will always hold a special place in my heart, as each one has helped me to grow or learn more about myself. I feel the most "me" when I'm traveling, it seems through each experience the true meaning of that becomes clearer. It may be simply maturing, or that travel speeds up that process. Travel automatically makes you adjust and appreciate a new perspective of the world, literally and figuratively seeing it from a different angle :) We're given one lifetime to see this beautiful earth so it's nice to slow down and soak it all in, no matter where you are. There's so much to be grateful for.
Anyway, after the Prom it was finally time to fly west! We are currently in Perth and I can't wait to update you guys on the beauty that is Western Australia. Sending love back home, we miss you all!
💙
Sarah
"I hope you aren't held back because of a number.
And that you don't rush into things because it feels
like time is slipping by. I hope you do what's right
for you. Hold on. Slow down. And breathe in.
Your age is your age. But more importantly, your
life is your life. Don't change your journey so
that it matches someone else's. We need to walk
different paths so the whole world can be explored.
Revel in the differences. And enjoy where you are,
Here. Right here."
~ Jessica Jensen