Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WILSONS PROMONTORY NATIONAL
PARK
If you like wilderness bushwalking, stunning coastal scenery and secluded white-sand
beaches, you'll absolutely love this place. 'The Prom', as it's affectionately known, is one
of the most popular national parks in Australia. Hardly surprising, given its accessibility
from Melbourne, its network of more than 80km of walking tracks, its swimming and surf
beaches, and the abundant wildlife.
Wilsons Promontory was an important area for the Kurnai and Boonwurrung indigenous
peoples, and middens have been found in many places, including Cotters and Darby
Beaches, and Oberon Bay. The southernmost part of mainland Australia, the Prom once
formed a land bridge that allowed people to walk to Tasmania.
Tidal River
, 30km from the park entrance, is the hub: it's home to the Parks Victoria office,
a general store, cafe and accommodation. The wildlife around Tidal River is incredibly
tame: kookaburras and rosellas lurk expectantly (resist the urge to feed them) and wombats
nonchalantly waddle out of the undergrowth.
Although there's a staffed
entrance booth
(
9am-sunset)
, where you receive a ticket, entry is
free. There's no fuel available in Tidal River.
