20 Telegraph Saddle – Waterloo Bay – Little Waterloo Bay Campsite Return (2024)

IMG_4475 Waterloo Bay - Jill Allen & Rob Whalan

NB. The following information was current at the time of the event

Distance:  23.6 Km   |  Duration:  Hrs   |  Grade:  Grade 4   |  Rating:  5   |  Style:  Return   |  Map

About the Walk

Overview

This walk starts at Telegraph Junction and takes you to a high point with panoramic views to Waterloo Bay. The path then takes you to the beaches of the bay and then follows the coastal path of the Southern Circuit walk to the popular campsite at Little Waterloo Bay.

The Walk in Detail

If Telegraph Saddle can be viewed as the focal centre of walks to the Southern portion of Wilsons Promontory, the Telegraph Track to Roaring Meg and beyond, a wide management vehicle track, is the spine that connects the diverse destinations. The walk to Little Waterloo Bay starts with a relaxed 6 Km down the spine, with absorbing views across to the flank of Mt Oberon and the fernfilled mountain stream filtering its way down in between. This is a great time to spread out across the wide track and get to know your fellow walkers.

Reaching Telegraph Junction, take a sharp turn east to head towards Waterloo Bay. The well-formed 4.7 Km walking track undulates across a series of low hills before reaching its high point, with panoramic views ahead to Waterloo Bay and the intervening coastal wet-land, and glorious rocky tors to the South. The path through the swamp is easy, with boardwalk keeping the feet dry while you admire the fern-lined track edges. As you emerge from the swamp, the surrounding lowlands open up, with views to Mt Wilson (705 m) to the North. All too soon you are at the foreshore with access to the glorious beaches of Waterloo Bay. There is time to check out the beach before turning north to follow the coastal path of the Southern Circuit walk.

An easy 1.1 Km brings you to the photogenic mouth of a short mountain stream emerging from the face of Mt Wilson. Get your feet wet as you cross, or rock hop if you prefer. A narrow mountain path now leads across the toe of the adjacent mountain range on your way to the popular campsite at Little Waterloo Bay. A sharp drop to the right allows you to enjoy the crashing waves as they pound on the exposed granite boulders forming the water’s edge.

Lunch at Little Waterloo Bay, where there are toilet facilities. Check out the beach and look around! This is a chance to dream of a multi-dayhike, if you have not been this way before.

With a crack of the whip, it will be time to start the return journey. While you retrace your outward route, you will be amazed at the number of times you get out the camera for the sights you did not see on the way out. Reaching Telegraph Junction for the second time, you are now faced with the steady climb back up to Telegraph Saddle. A chance to test your fitness and congratulate yourself at the end, for the  completion of a walk to places you will want to visit over and over again.

Getting There

Walk Precautions

Additional Information