Wilsons Prom National Park

About Wilsons Prom

Wilsons Prom is the southern-most tip of mainland Australia. It is both dramatic and beautiful. Its panoramic views, wild ocean beaches and rugged mountain landscapes make it one of Victoria’s most loved national parks – at all times of the year.

A male emu and chicks on the access road

Surrounded by sea on three sides, and protecting over 50,000 hectares of land, Wilsons Prom is famous for bush walking and camping and its abundance of flora and fauna. The park is home to around 30 species of native mammals, not including marine mammals. These include populations of the Long-nosed Potteroo, Swamp Antechinus, White-footed Dunnart, Feather-tailed Glider, as well as kangaroos, koalas, emus, echidnas and wombats.

Birds of all colours are readily spotted, and whales and can be seen in the bays, especially in the autumn months.

The pristine beach at Tidal River

The Prom’s diverse landscape lends itself of many outdoor activities, including bush walking, coastal walking, bird watching, guided walks and tours, kayaking, canoeing, diving, fishing, snorkelling, surfing and boat tours.

Watch waves crash onto the beach at Whisky Bay and listen to the sand ‘squeak’ as you shuffle your feet on the pure white quartz sand at Squeaky Beach. At Tidal River, let the kids paddle in the shallow waters – or kayak the length of the river in total solitude – then watch the surfers try their skills at Norman Bay.

Tidal River is the main centre of the park for visitors.  There is a Visitor Information Centre, a store and cafe.

Walks

With more than 130 km of tracks, Wilsons Prom offers dozens of short walks and day walks for people of all levels of fitness, and overnight hiking trails for the more intrepid walkers.  In fact, the Prom provides some of the best coastal overnight or multiple night hiking opportunities in Victoria.

The walks to Sealers Cove and Refuge Cove are one of the most popular overnight walks.  Or take the famous, fairly challenging, 19 km trek to the historic 1859 lighthouse at the southernmost tip of maintain Australia, and stay overnight in the very comfortably restored lighthouse-keeper’s quarters.  You’ll need to carry your own food and gear, but it’s well worth it for a truly unforgettable experience.

Wilsons Prom Lighthouse – the southern-most tip of mainland Australia

If you’re up for an even greater challenge, the most difficult walk at Wilsons Prom is reputed to be from Chinaman’s Beach to Lower Barry Creek.  It is not so much a walking track, but a route with tape on trees.  In Chinaman’s Swamp expect to wade through sections of water up to 50m long and up to 1m deep.  You can also expect to regularly lose the route, which is scrubby, slow and offers little protection from the sun, so this walk is definitely not for the faint hearted.  A GPS could be useful.

Some of the most popular short walks include:

• Loo-Errn Track – an easy 1 km, 30 minutes one way walk designed for people with limited mobility
• Mount Oberon Summit – a 3.4 km, 1 hour (one way) moderate/difficult walk which is a constant uphill climb, but the view from the top is one of the most stunning you’ll see
• Tidal Overlook – a moderate 3.8 km, 1.5 hours return walk which provides stunning coastal views
• Lilly Pilly Gully Nature Walk – a walking track with a boardwalk is accessible for people with a disability.  It is rated easy and showcases heathland, eucalypt forest and rainforest
• Tidal River to Squeaky Beach, via Pillar Point.  A moderte to easy 50 minute walk (one way) provides some of the best views the Prom has to offer, with the reward of walking on Squeaky Beach at the end.

Staying at the Prom

Tidal River has 484 camping and caravan sites beautifully situated near the beach and river. The Prom also offers self-contained cabins (6 people), units (4 people), group lodges (12, 24 and 30 beds), huts (4 or 6 beds) and luxury Wilderness Retreats.  These are contemporary, safari-style tents that come complete with all the comforts of home, including an ensuite bathroom, queen-size bed with crisp white linen, heating, a fridge and private deck.  All accommodation is very popular and must be booked well in advance.

Wilsons Prom guided activities

There is a wide range of guided activiites available to visitors, including:

• Abseiling
• Bicycle Touring
• Birdwatching
• Boat Tours
• Bushwalking
• Canoeing/Kayaking
• Car and Limousine Tours
• Coach and Bus Tours
• Coastal Walking
• Fishing
• Four Wheel Drive Tours
• Mountain Bike Riding
• Photography Tours
• Rafting
• Rock Climbing
• Sea Kayaking
• Snorkelling
• Spotlight Tours and Nightwalks
• Surfing and Surf Education
• Yoga Classes

Source: Tourism Victoria and Parks Victoria