Day 4 – Little Deadmans Bay to Prion Beach
Little Deadmans Bay – Prion Beach (click to enlarge).
In comparison with the previous day today’s 9km trek to Prion beach is much easier, although some challenges are faced thanks to the ever present South Coast mud. Today also includes a boat crossing at New River Lagoon.
Leaving Little Deadmans Bay the track returns to the plains and to the mud, the thickest yet. Deadmans Bay is reached next and the track continues along the beach for a short distance before heading inland across Menzies Bluff.
After battling the mud once again for an hour the trail opens up onto spectacular Prion Beach. From here on walking is much easier with only 5km stroll along the beach required before coming to the New River Lagoon boat crossing. At each side of the Lagoon there is a boat tied to allow passage from either side. In order to ensure this access, walkers must leave the boats where they were found. This requires multiple trips.
- First row one boat across to the other side.
- Tow the other boat back to the original side
- Tie up one boat to the mooring post
- Row the boat back to the other side and tie to the mooring post.
Once safely on the other side, the Prion Beach campsite is found nestled just beyond the tree line.
The mud! Expect a lot of this throughout today’s walking.
The ‘track’ today is unforgiving.
Prion Beach just before the camp site.
Finally at the beautiful New River Lagoon.
The New River Lagoon boat crossing.