The Big Drift | Incredible Sand Dunes in Wilsons Promontory
Did you know there are these amazing sand dunes just a few hours from Melbourne? The Big Drift in Wilsons Promontory National Park will take your breath away!
The Big Drift – Sand Dunes in Wilsons Promontory
On the way into Wilsons Promontory National Park, in the Gippsland region, you will find one of Victoria’s biggest secrets.
The Big Drift is still relatively unknown to most travellers and even locals. These massive sand dunes are incredible, and those who visit won’t be able to stop talking about them.
Right after the Wilsons Promontory National Park entrance there is the Stockyard Campsite where you can park your car and walk the 2km track.
The walk is an easy 20 minute winding through bushland and there isn’t much to see on the way, we did it with young kids and it was fine.
The only part which is tricky is the last part which is a steep incline walking up soft sand. Take your shoes off once you get to this part and crawl up if you need to.
Once you hit the top, you are rewarded with a view of never ending sand dunes with a few trees dotted through the background.
It is an magnificent site, like nothing you will see anywhere else in Victoria.
The area is popular for adrenaline seekers who love sand surfing and sledding as there are hills that are quite steep.
If you plan to walk down (like we did) make sure to save your energy to get back up again, it will get your heart rate up as you climb the dunes.
You can explore the area at the top close by to the entrance, or continue walking around. Just make sure to leave some tracks because it is fairly easy to get lost if you continue walking. We left some of our shoes near the entrance and our backpacks at the top so we knew where to go.
Because this little gem is out of the tourist track, you will most likely have the place to yourself when you visit. Because of the ever changing winds, the only footprints you see will mostlikely be your own. We were the only people there when we arrived on a long weekend!
For the best photos, visit at sunset or sunrise when the sand turns a gold colour and the shadows are long. Forget visiting when there are high winds, the sand is so strong you won’t be able to open your eyes when it is flying around.
Details
The Big Drift Sand Dunes
Address:
The Drift Track, Wilsons Promontory VIC 3960
Distance: 4km return (longer if you explore)
Track: Mostly flat bushland, and a steep hill to climb to get up to the dunes.
Grade: Easy/Moderate
Tips for Visiting the Big Drift
- Avoid visiting during high winds
- Sunrise or sunset make the best photos
- Leave a trail if you plan to walk further out
Things to do Wilsons Promontory
If you are visiting Wilsons Promontory check out these other places of interest and if you are taking the kids check our post on Tips for Hiking with Kids.
Make sure you check out Mum’s Little Explorers Facebook Page or join our What’s on Melbourne for Kids Facebook Group.
