National park · Australia

Wilsons Promontory National Park

Day trip from Melbourne is 4 h each way — go only if you stay at least one night. Base at Tidal River or Yanakie, walk to Squeaky Beach or the summit of Mount Oberon before 10:00, and book Tidal River camping weeks ahead for December–January.Day trip from Melbourne is 4 h each way — go only if you stay at least one night. Base at Tidal River or Yanakie, walk to Squeaky Beach or the summit of Mount Oberon before 10:00 AM, and book Tidal River camping weeks ahead for December–January.

Not field-verifiedUNESCO Biosphere ReserveSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

500 km²193 sq mi

approximate

Established

1898

Best months

Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov

UNESCO

Biosphere

Rules in force · 7

Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

At a glance

Country: Australia
Area: 500 km²193 sq mi; About 50,000 ha of land; separate marine national parks cover the seas to the south and a smaller area in the north (check).
Established: 1898
Best months: Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
Permits: For some areas

Wilsons Promontory is the southernmost point of mainland Australia, a granite and sand peninsula in South Gippsland, Victoria, protected as a 50,000-hectare national park with about 130 km of walking trails. Tidal River is the hub: visitor centre, store, camping, cabins and the trailheads. The park entrance itself is free; you pay for camping, huts and permits. Most visitors come as a day trip from Melbourne and see only Tidal River and one beach. Two nights lets you reach the lighthouse or South Point and gives you the wildlife hours at dusk.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

UNESCO Biosphere ReserveWilsons Promontory is listed in the Australian biosphere reserve network (check).

Size and age

500 km²193 sq mi · national park since 1898

About 50,000 ha of land; separate marine national parks cover the seas to the south and a smaller area in the north (check).

Why go

The southern tip of the mainland: granite headlands, long white beaches and the only road that ends at a national park this far south.
Wildlife that ignores people — wombats, kangaroos and emus around Tidal River and the Prom Wildlife Walk.
A real overnight walk: the southern circuit has designated bush camps and no road access.
Some of Victoria's clearest water for snorkelling and diving in the marine national park.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanGo
FebBest
MarBest
AprBest
MayGo
JunCaution
JulCaution
AugCaution
SepGo
OctBest
NovBest
DecGo

JanWarm and busy; book camping early
FebWarm, settled, fewer crowds than January
MarMild days, calm sea
AprClear, cool nights
MayQuiet; wet and windy spells
JunCold, wet; whales offshore
JulColdest month; short daylight
AugWind and rain; quiet trails
SepWildflowers start; changeable
OctWildflowers, mild, good walking
NovWarm and dry; busy weekends
DecWarm; peak camping demand

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Wilsons Promontory National Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Humpback and southern right whales offshoreJun–Jul · Seen on cruises along the northern coast, mostly in June.	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no
Wombats, kangaroos and emus around Tidal River and the Prom Wildlife WalkAll year · Most active at dawn and dusk; they are used to people, so keep your distance anyway.	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Wildflowers in the heathSep–Nov	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no
Little penguins and shearwaters at duskOct–Mar · Do not use torches or approach burrows.	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Melbourne

South Gippsland Highway to Meeniyan or Foster, then the C444 to the park entrance and on to Tidal River.

3.5–4 h

Open the page →

From Foster

C444 to the park entrance, then 30 km to Tidal River.C444 to the park entrance, then 19 mi to Tidal River.

45 min

From Phillip Island

Organised tours run from the island; otherwise drive back via the highway.

2.5–3 h

From Melbourne by public transport

V/Line coach to Foster, then the connecting bus to Tidal River (Friday afternoon out, Sunday night back; extra Monday public holiday service).

4–5 h

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Wilsons Promontory National Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Tidal River	Visitor centre, store and cafe, camping, huts and cabins, and the start of the short walks.	Open; camping and accommodation booked.
Northern beaches and Vereker Range	Squeaky Beach, Whisky Bay, Picnic Bay and the Mount Oberon track.	Open; sealed road to the car parks.
Southern circuit	The lighthouse at South East Point, South Point and the bush camp areas.	On foot only; overnight permit required.
Northern Wilderness Area	Remote walking country with basic camp areas and few facilities.	On foot only; permit required.
Marine national parks	The seas off the southern end and a smaller area in the north.	No fishing; diving and snorkelling allowed.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions from the park entrance to the lighthouse, for orientation only.

1Park entrance (C444) · Gate≈-38.933, 146.267Approximate.Map ↗
2Yanakie · Town≈-38.808, 146.200Approximate.Map ↗
3Prom Wildlife Walk · Trail≈-38.948, 146.273Map ↗
4Tidal River visitor centre · Headquarters≈-39.031, 146.321Map ↗
5Mount Oberon summit · Summit≈-39.040, 146.340Approximate.Map ↗
6Squeaky Beach · Beach≈-39.035, 146.330Approximate.Map ↗
7South Point · Viewpoint≈-39.137, 146.374Approximate.Map ↗
8Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈-39.129, 146.424Approximate.Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

ViewpointsModerate2 h returnMount Oberon summitManagement-vehicle track from the Telegraph Saddle car park; steady climb, big view over Tidal River and the islands. Go before 10:00 to beat the crowd and the heat.

BeachesEasy1–2 hSqueaky Beach and Picnic BayShort walk from the Squeaky Beach car park; rounded white sand that squeaks underfoot, granite boulders at the south end.

WildlifeEasy1 hProm Wildlife WalkFlat loop near the park entrance where kangaroos, wombats and emus are used to people. Best in the hour after dawn or before dusk.

TrailsHard7–9 hLighthouse and South Point day walkFit walkers can do Telegraph Saddle to the lighthouse or South Point and back in a day; long, exposed and often windy.

TrailsHard2–3 daysSouthern circuit overnight walkBush camps with toilets and a seasonal water supply; carry and treat water outside those points.Booking: Overnight permit required

CavesEasyBoat tripCleft Island (Skull Rock)Granite island hollowed by waves into a cave roughly 130 m wide and 60 m tall; seen from the water, not on foot.

DivingModerateHalf daySnorkelling and diving in the marine parkClear, cold water with kelp and reef life; some of the best diving in Victoria. Bring a thick wetsuit.

Boat tripsEasy4 hWildlife Coast Cruises from Port WelshpoolSheltered northern coast; humpback and southern right whales pass in June.Booking: Book ahead in whale season

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

AUD ranges · check

Fees for Wilsons Promontory National Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Park entry	Free	vehicle	No entrance fee for Wilsons Promontory; you pay for camping, accommodation and permits (check).
Tidal River unpowered campsite	AUD 30–60	night	2026 estimate; rate varies by season and site type.
Tidal River hut (4–6 beds)	AUD 62–95	night	Peak-season rate quoted for a whole hut (check).
Lorikeet unit (1–2 people)	AUD 117–118	night	Peak-season rate; self-contained motel-style unit (check).
Overnight hiking permit	AUD 10–30	person	2026 estimate; required for bush camping, book ahead or at the visitor centre (check).
Wildlife Coast Cruises, Port Welshpool	AUD 78	person	Four-hour northern-coast cruise; whale sightings in June (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Overnight hike and bush camping permit or guide

Book online in advance or at the park entrance or Tidal River visitor centre; camping is allowed only in designated camp areas.

Recreational fishing licence permit or guide

Buy a Victorian recreational fishing licence; no fishing in the marine national parks, and line-only rules apply in some areas.

Tidal River camping (peak) permit or guide

Bookings essential for the Christmas–January holidays and popular long weekends.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Camping: Only in designated camp areas; no camping in the central area of the park.
Overnight walks: A permit is required and can be booked in advance or on arrival at the park entrance or Tidal River visitor centre.
Fishing: No fishing in the marine national parks; a recreational fishing licence is required elsewhere, and some areas are line-only.
Wildlife: Do not feed or handle wildlife, and keep food sealed — wombats and possums will take it.
Drones: Not allowed without a permit from the park manager (check).check
Fires: No fires outside designated fireplaces; total fire bans apply in summer.

Where to stay

In the park

Tidal River camping

About 480 unpowered sites with toilets, showers and laundry; bookings essential for Christmas and January.

In the park

Tidal River huts and Lorikeet units

One-room huts with bunks, stove, fridge and gas heating, and self-contained motel-style units; linen hire on request.

Near the park

Yanakie

Accommodation minutes from the park entrance, with views back to the Prom; nearest fuel.

Near the park

Foster and Waratah North

Town services, pubs and self-contained cottages 30–45 min from the entrance.

Safety

Wildlife on the road at dusk and dawn high

Drive slowly between dusk and dawn, especially on the last 30 km to Tidal River; kangaroos and wombats are on the road.

Weather changes and exposure on long walks medium

Carry a waterproof jacket and warm layer year-round; Victoria can turn cold and wet in any month.

Distances on the southern circuit medium

Plan water and daylight; the terrain is bigger than it looks on a map and phone signal is patchy.

Cold water and strong currents medium

Swim at patrolled or sheltered beaches; the ocean here is cold and can be rough.

Bushfire high

In summer check fire danger ratings and park closures before you drive in; leave early on extreme days.

Accessibility

Tidal River visitor centre, store and the car parks at Squeaky Beach and Telegraph Saddle are reachable by sealed road.
Mount Oberon and the southern circuit are steep, rough and not suitable for limited mobility.
Some Tidal River cabins and the Lorikeet units have step-free access; ask when booking (check).

Visiting lightly

Stay on marked tracks — the heath and dune vegetation recovers slowly.
Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins on the walking tracks.
Use the water supply at camp areas rather than leaving taps running, and treat water away from them.
Keep 2 m from wombats and never block a burrow for a photo.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Wilsons Promontory National Park?

Entry is free — there is no gate fee for vehicles or walkers. You pay for camping, huts and cabins at Tidal River, for overnight hiking permits, and for tours such as the Port Welshpool cruise. Tidal River camping is roughly A$30–60 a night depending on season and site (2026 estimate).

What are the best hikes in Wilsons Promontory National Park?

For most visitors: the Mount Oberon track (about 2 h return, steady climb, best view in the park), the short walk to Squeaky Beach, and the flat Prom Wildlife Walk near the entrance. Fit walkers do Telegraph Saddle to the lighthouse or South Point as a long day, and the southern circuit as a 2–3 day overnight walk with a permit.

When is the best time to visit Wilsons Promontory National Park?

February to April and October to November: mild, often clear, and quieter than the Christmas–January peak. Winter is cold, wet and windy but empty, and June brings whales offshore. Summer is warm but camping books out weeks ahead.

Can I visit Wilsons Promontory as a day trip from Melbourne?

Yes, but it is 3.5–4 hours each way, so you get roughly half a day in the park. If that is your only option, drive straight to Tidal River, walk to Squeaky Beach and drive up to Telegraph Saddle for Mount Oberon. Staying one or two nights is far better value for the drive.

Do I need a permit to camp or walk overnight?

Yes for overnight walks and bush camping. Book online in advance or at the park entrance or Tidal River visitor centre. Camping is allowed only in designated camp areas; the central part of the park has none.

Is there fuel or food inside the park?

The Tidal River store sells food and supplies at high prices and has a cafe with takeaways; fuel is no longer sold there. The nearest fuel is at Yanakie.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go