We love a good coastal walk, and if you’re looking for a stunning hike that connects not one, not two, but three sandy beaches, why don’t you try out the Three Bays Walk? Located in Wilsons Promontory National Park, this lovely trail offers a nice sample of all the wonderful things that the Prom has to offer, with golden beaches, scenic views and sparkling blue water. The route takes you through Squeaky Beach, Picnic Bay and Whisky Bay. It’s 6.2km one way, and takes about two hours to complete. If you’re doing a return journey, it’s 12.4km long, and takes four hours. But, you might want to allocate a whole day for this, so you can spend some time cooling off in the water, or lazing around on the sand.
Three Bays Walk
Park your car at the Tidal River Visitor Centre, and start your journey from the footbridge. Move past a landscape of gnarled tea trees as you climb to the top of the headland, and take in gorgeous views of the rugged coastline as you go.
If you’d like to add to your hike, you can take a detour to the Pillar Point lookout, where you’ll see views of offshore islands, Squeaky Beach, Norman Bay and Mount Oberon.
Otherwise, make the descent to the beautiful Squeaky Beach. This enchanting beach was recently named as one of Victoria’s best beaches, according to Lonely Planet. It was also named as one of the best beaches in the world last year. Nestled between granite boulders on either side of the beach, this place is named after its fine grains of quartz sand, which make a high-pitched squeak with every step. If you choose to enter the turquoise waters, just be careful, as the beach is not patrolled. Toilets are adjacent to the carpark if you need to go.
From there, follow the coastal trail inland to Picnic Bay. This 500-metre-long beach has some cool intertidal rockpools for you to explore. If you’d like to swim, it’s safest at the southern end of the beach, due to strong rips in the area. Take a break and enjoy a picnic while you’re there, or head on to the lookout for some great views of the offshore islands. Once again, this beach is not patrolled, and toilets are available at the carpark.
Continue north of the beach to reach your final stop, Whisky Bay. This picturesque beach is framed by granite boulders, and features pretty golden sand and clear blue water. As it faces the west, this beach is particularly stunning at sunset. However, due to rips and strong currents, this unpatrolled beach is not recommended for swimming. It does have picnic tables if you’d like to have a break. You’ll find toilets available at the carpark.
The Three Bays Walk offers plenty of stunning sights, but if you don’t want to retrace your steps, you can arrange a car shuttle to pick you up at the end of your journey.
More details
As this is an outdoor activity, do try to stay prepared. Phone reception is unreliable, so it’s best to download a map first before you set out on your journey. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen, as well as a hat, sturdy shoes, snacks, and bathers if you’d like to go for a swim. As the beaches are unpatrolled, don’t swim alone.
Learn more about the walk here, and look out for any updates here.