Yet another walk in Wilsons Prom that probably doesn’t get the awareness that it probably deserves for several reasons would have to be the Vereker Outlook Walk.
A reasonable old slog up a rocky path, this 6-7km hike (depending on which way you do it) is worth the effort as the views at the top are crazy good.
So, where does it all begin?
A short distance from the entrance of the Wilsons Prom National Park, and a shorter distance from the Prom Wildlife Walk, is the Five Mile Road leading up to the car park of the same name.
You’re more than likely to see a few wallabies getting around but you also might be lucky enough to see some wombats too. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled as you approach the trailhead.
The car park isn’t exactly ample but isn’t small either with enough room to get several cars in and a helpful information board highlighting the Vereker Outlook Walk and others in the area.
As mentioned at the start of this blog, there are two ways you can get to the beginning of the ascent to Vereka Outlook.
They both start past the gate at Five Mile Road car park (which is a continuation of the road itself) but the first option is to take a left as you head towards the track that takes you to Millers Landing and closest to the ocean.
Literally, as you start this way you’ll come to a fork in the trail – the left heads to Millers Landing whilst the right will take you around Five Mile Road on the west side.
It’s not a bad way to approach the beginning of the ascent to Vereker Outlook, as it has some decent views of the ocean, however, it’s probably not the quickest way and adds roughly one kilometre onto the overall walk.
Once you reach the t-intersection of this track and Five Mile Road, turn right until you come across another sign pointing towards one of two ascents to the outlook.
If you’re short on time, keep following Five Mile Road from the trailhead until you come to the first sign for Vereker Outlook.
But don’t get confused and take the wide-open management vehicle track heading off to the right of Five Mile Road. The track you should take heads off into the bush and starts ascending almost immediately.
You’ll stay on this track for a short time until you come to another t-intersection (which crosses over from the alternative ascent I mentioned earlier) and then head right.
The dirt path will only last for a short while longer and that’s when the rocky terrain kicks in and what I reckon is easily the best part of the entire walk.
The higher you get the better the views of the ocean on your left will be and the more impressive the granite boulders on your right become.
If I could make a comparison to this section of the walk with others that we’ve done, I’d say that it has shades of Boronia Peak and the latter sections of Mount Rosea in the Grampians.
It’s a one-way path to the actual outlook so there’s little chance of getting lost but be sure to make a few stops along the way.
You’ll continue to get great views of the ocean on either side of the park, as well as Mount Bishop, Mount Oberon off in the distance, Darby Saddle & River, and a glimpse of Big Drift.
Given how good the scenery and views are you probably won’t want to head back to the trailhead for some time.
However, once you are finished at the top, all you have to do is go back the way you came and follow Five Mile Road back to the car park.
A fraction more difficult than the nearby Three Bays Walk, the Vereker Outlook Walk at Wilsons Prom would be suitable for those who are comfortable with rocky terrain and gradual ascents and descents.
It’s not ridiculously hard by any stretch but if you’re not used to hills or if you don’t typically walk along trails that have them, you might find that this is quite the challenge.
In saying that, if you take your time and push through, the views on offer will certainly be worth all that effort.
Either way, the Vereker Outlook Walk at Wilsons Prom is certainly one to put on your day hike to-do list.
As always, if you’re using the WikiLoc app on your phone, and you want to follow the Vereker Outlook Walk, you can download it here.
The Stats – Vereker Outlook Walk – Wilsons Prom
Length (km): 7.62km (according to WikiLoc)
Time: 1hr 58mins
Moving Time: 1hr 35mins
Difficulty: Moderate (Grade 3)
Maximum Elevation: 300m
Accum. elev. uphill: 283m
Accum. elev. downhill: 283m
Return/Circuit/One Way: Return
