Today was an eventful day in Wilson’s Prom! It started at 1am when I woke up to scuttling noises, which I believed were outside my tent. I had been wearing earplugs, but when I felt something run over my feet I sat up with a start, grabbed my headlamp, and switched it on to find a rat-sized mouse or small marsupial inside my tent.
Both the creature and I were startled, and I had to try and coax it out the door before discovering the massive hole it had chewed through the mesh to get in. I taped it with a large bandaid like my last big hole, and then unsuccessfully tried to sleep with adrenaline pumping through my veins.
I met a lovely woman named Veronica and her daughter Caitlin at the site and enjoyed dinner and breakfast talking about gear and various hikes in Australia. I forgot how friendly Aussie’s are, and have chatted to at least 10 people I’d love to bump into again.
What I love about this hike is that people are walking in all different directions and to different campsites, so you don’t find yourself yo-yoing with the same people and can get a lot of intel about all the campsites from various people. It also makes me feel like I’m in less of a hurry when I don’t have anyone to keep up with or try to stay ahead of.
It was a beautiful walk along a bush track towards the lighthouse from Roaring Meg. The approach to the lighthouse was very steep, but the views and history of the lighthouse was incredible to learn about. I even met a woman living there whose great grandfather had built some of the infrastructure around it.
I found a shady spot behind a stone wall to have lunch, then continued on a long climb along the track leading to the Little Waterloo Bay campsite. I was keen to post my previous post and a few photos, so I kept checking if I had any signal as the trail claimed higher. When I was finally at the top after almost 2 hours, I had a tiny bar, and decided to climb up onto a huge boulder for better signal.
I must have been standing on this boulder for at least 30 minutes when I turned around and saw the long, sleek trail of a snake. It had been a tough climb to get onto the boulder, and I hadn’t thought about how I would get down until the snake began slithering towards me.
I’m not sure what this snake is yet, but I’m almost 100% sure it’s deadly. It took me at least an hour for the adrenaline rush to wear off, and I was terrified of every stick I walked by for the remainder of the afternoon.
Thankfully my final stretch was along the stunning Waterloo Bay. I did bump into a wallaby, but the interaction was rather fleeting. Somehow I was the only person on the beach when I arrived. I went for a quick swim, and then walked along the sand as a group of birds went crazy on a massive school of fish, half of which ended up on the shore.
I showed up to camp after 7pm, which left slim pickings for a site. But I managed to squeeze myself into a little cosy nook and am just praying I won’t be disturbed by any wildlife this evening! Goodnight from Little Waterloo Bay campsite!
Serial Nomad 
Hello Rosanne. i remember so vividly meeting you 10 years ago.
Ignace
Thanks for the note, Ignace! I hope 2025 brings you much joy and adventure!
Absolutely beautiful! Yes, you Aussies have a reputation for being friendly. Please don’t change! But Australia also has a reputation for having some really deadly snakes, so be careful! Sounds like you’re having a wonderful, relaxing time. Enjoy!
XO Joan and Dave
Happy New Year to you and Joan!! It’s been a perfect way to kick off a fresh new year and dust off the cobwebs of the last couple of years! Big hugs and lots of love to you both. I hope to catch up soon!! 💕
Amazing discoveries and excitement all in one day. Haven’t ventured much beyond Tidal River and Squeaky Beach (visit if possible) – maybe one day!
You would love it!! The hike to Oberon Bay would be manageable for an overnight with the right gear! Would love to take you and Mutti some time!! 🏕️
Midnight marsupials , wombats, deadly snakes, feeding crazed birds and land fish… you don’t see any of those if you stay on your couch!
Way to face your Waterloo!!
L
Midnight marsupials , wombats, deadly snakes, feeding crazed birds and land fish… you don’t see any of those if you stay on your couch!
Way to face your Waterloo!!
L
😂❤️🐀
love that you are there pavking again !!
Thank you so much!! It’s so great to see your name pop up! I hope you have some great adventures planned for this year with the other trampers! Best wishes for 2025!! 🏕️💕
We will be finishing up a section in the Shasta area of the pct. We still have the same group! We are so proud of you and your compliments! Hang in there girl! Hugs from everone!!
Aww Shasta! Amazing! I love that you’re all still hiking together! That’s incredible! Send my love to everyone and happy hiking!!! 🥾💓
accomplishment!
I will ! Take care little Muk!
That was a deadly Tiger snake. Untreated bites have a 40 -60% mortality! They’re common in coastal areas of southern Australia.
I thought it might be from the stripes on its back! At least my fight/flight reflexes are working correctly!! 🐍
Hi darling, I am not sure what would be more dangerous. A mountain lion on the PCT or this tiger snake at Wilson’s Prom. You got a great photo of it. You are in a lovely, nature wilderness and how lucky to have a swimm. Not sure about this little creature who got in your tent…? Knowing that there are no bears around, food didn’t have to go up high and closed up you thought? Enjoy the rest of your hiking and keep cool in this hot weather.
love you, Mutti xx 😘
Haha! Yeah, I left some food in my bum bag inside my tent, not thinking about the rodents! Good lesson learned! Avoiding poisonous creatures and dealing with the heat were the biggest challenges, but I’ll those over mountain lions any day!! 😉