Day two: 1) Boat ride Port Franklin to Refuge Cove, Wilson's Prom. 2) Guided walk Millers Landing, Wilson's Prom

Tuesday February 25, 2014

1) Boat tour Port Franklin to Refuge Cove return (100 km); Toora Wind Farm; Agnes Falls; coffee in Foster

Leader: Michael

Early morning at high tide, five intrepid sailors, Michael, Dianne, Karen, Pat and Denys, stepped into the high speed Kraken Tours boat at Port Franklin and motored down the mangroves lined river towards Corner Inlet. We were soon speeding along with views of Five Mile Beach and Wilson's Prom with its magnificent granite boulders.  Once we arrived at Refuge Bay, where there was an idyllic scene with a yacht & catamaran moored, we slipped over the side of the boat into turquoise waters. With a peaceful & remote feeling we sat on the warm sand to enjoy our morning tea-to be joined by a school group of girls trudging long the waters edge with packs almost as big as they were!  We then viewed the signs left by visiting boats & enjoyed a lovely walk along the track to the next beach. The track through the trees with views of the cove with its clear water & pristine sand was one of the most memorable parts of the day.The party rolled back into the boat & off we sped through choppy seas to view the caves & cormorant colony ( identified as rarely seen black-faced cormorants by Jenny & Andrew) on Rabbit Island. Once we turned the corner, we were hit by a strong hot northerly wind & had an exhilarating trip, racing the tide back to Port Franklin. As we approached the River, there were many  birds on the exposed sand banks; we finally climbed the ladder back onto dry land at the wharf. 

Pat

photo Denys, Port Franklin at high tide early am

Ready for an adventure; Pat, Michael, Karen, Denys, Dianne ( right to left)

Smoke from the Morwell open cut mine fires or the Prom's mist? On open water we could smell smoke coming from mainland........not the Prom

morning tea at Refuge Cove, Pat & Denys

A display of visiting boats signs & ribs of whales....

a short coastal walk to meet our boat waiting in shallow water

Mike prompted us to take our shoes off as a granite sand beach is therapeutic for your feet!

A cave at Rabbit Island

Black-faced cormorants on Rabbit Island; Mike's photo in focus despite the rocking boat!

Parks Victoria claims these falls are the highest single span falls in Victoria. A fact disputed by some members.......

2) Guided Walk: Millers Landing, Wilson's Prom, 11 members

Leader: Connie

Leaving Waratah Bay at 9.00 we headed through The Prom Entrance to the 5 mile track carpark.

We followed the track to Millers Landing en route experiencing wild life, an echidna,Wallaby and quite large skinks. At Millers Landing we took a break and viewed the Southern most Mangroves in Victoria and part of Corner Inlet. We were fortunate to have Andrew with our group and he was able to identify a wide variety or birds, Black Swans, Sooty Oyster Catchers, Pied Cormorants, Pacific Gulls,White Faced Herons,and White Sacred Ibis, all roosting on the mudflats and surrounding rocky outcrops.There was a haunting reminder (for some of our members who had to be rescued by helicopter) of deep ruts caused by the floods of 2011! It was becoming very hot so we decided to head back to camp for a swim, doze, walking on the beach or reading. Thank you Connie for a pleasant easy walk.

Pam 

A White's Skink