Wilsons Promontory

Part of the draw of any visit to Australia is to see some of its much-heralded rustic beauty. Ayers Rock has its fan-base, as does Byron Bay, but to many a Aussie, there’s nothing more beautiful than watching the sun set over the pristine beaches of Wilson’s Promontory.

Lovingly referred to as “The Prom” by locals, this coastal outcropping is the furthest south one can go on Mainland Australia and features 50,000 hectares of untouched granite peaks backed by white sand beaches . Miles of walking tracks meander all through the pristine coastline, and hikers get to see the Australian wilderness as nature intended it. Teams of kangaroos, koalas, emus and wallabies scurry about the brush and grasslands, while penguins come to roost along the beaches at nightfall.

Though Wilsons Promontory is a widely beloved spot, it is famous for its short-yet-seemingly long distance from civilization. The Australian’s designed it this way in order to keep it a habitation for only those critters who originally found the coastal wilderness. A short trip here feels miles away from the bustle of nearby towns, and the silence lets visitors hear the ocean, the breeze, and even the unique “squeak” that comes from walking barefoot on the Prom’s own Squeaky Beach. A unique experience to be sure.