My big child Nathan turned six this weekend, as a bit of a family tradition, we try and go camping for both kids birthdays. And for the last couple of years for the big child’s birthday we have visited Tidal River at Wilson’s Prom. Its a caravan park in the middle of Wilson’s prom, with some nice beaches and walks in the area.

Above the camp ground is Mt Oberon, a 2 point Sota summit. So I convinced the family to go for a walk up the mountain!

On busy summer weekends the access road to the car park is closed and access to Mt Oberon is via a mini bus every half hour from the camp ground. So we lined up and jumped on the bus. Heading up the hill to the top car park where the access road to the summit starts.

From this car park access is via the road that leads up to the communications towers at the top of the hill. This is a well formed gravel access road. But steep in places around 3.5km long before you arrive at the comm’s towers. The last 30m to the summit is up some 300 odd steps cut into the granite rocks up to the lookout and trig point.

It has been warm in Victoria and Saturday was rather hot. Low 30s. Not much wind and lots of sun. So the going was slow. I had left my wife and kids behind who were walking slowly up the hill while I pushed on so I had Sota time on the top. Arriving in just over 1hr of walking, and a climb of 378m from the carpark.

I set up slowly, enjoying the view back to the camp ground and the coastline, getting on air around 1:15pm local time. I attached the squid pole to a short tree away from the main summit, in the shade. keeping out of the way of the non stop flow of sight see’ers walking to the lookout.

I spotted and put out a call and managed to work a handful of stations, including two summit to summit contacts with is always a bonus. Only one person on 20m, and I attempted some CW, but with no luck, maybe next time. The family arrived about an hour after I got to the top and joined me for a short while before they set off back down the hill to allow me to finish and pack up. I packed up and headed back down the hill.

I caught them about half way back down the mountain and we walked back to the car park, arriving as the bus pulled up, perfect timing for the trip back to the camp ground and a cold drink and ice cream for the kids.

This is a medium to hard walk, but on a well formed road, and achievable for all people, if you take your time. Thanks to all who i worked and especially the S2S contacts.