Bushwalking in Wilsons Prom National Park
Guide to Hiking Camping & Watersports near Melbourne Australia.
Feb 22, 2009
The park consists of a rugged coastline, interspersed with a wonderful array of sandy beaches and windswept coves. There are endless bushwalking trails through scrub and forest and a wide diversity of flora and fauna, all to the backdrop of granite ranges.
The Prom, as it’s affectionately known, is Victoria’s most popular national park – a place much loved by locals but which few tourists, in their hurry to the visit the Grampians or the Great Ocean Road, ever discover.
- Entrance to the park costs $10 per car for one day, $16 for a 2 day pass or $30.50 for 5 days.
- An annual pass costs $52
Bushwalking
Wilson’s Prom offers some of the finest, and most varied, bushwalking not only in Victoria but in the whole of Australia. Short or long, through forests, hills or beaches, there’s a trail to suit everyone.
Tidal River
The entrance to the park is Tidal River, where visitors will find an information centre, the park’s main campground and shops. It’s also the starting point for several of the most popular walking trails.
Squeaky Beach Nature Walk
This trail crosses Tidal River, goes uphill through a forest of tea trees (hence why the river is stained brown, despite being beautifully clean) and on to a beach where the sand is so pure and fine that it squeaks underfoot.
Lilly Pilly Gully Nature Walk
It might sound more like a kid’s playground but this longer walk is one of the most popular in the park and takes roughly 3 hours return. It encompasses many of the best features of the Prom – the trail goes through shrub land, eucalyptus forest and rivers, with some beautiful scenery and viewpoints.
Multi Day Walks
Another popular feature of the park is the option to camp and go on 2 or 3 day hikes, such as the Sealers Cove - Refuge Cover – Waterloo Bay route, a circular track located in the southern section of the Wilson’s Prom. The start is at Mount Oberon car park.
Other Attractions
Although the park is understandably popular, its size and diversity means there’s normally plenty of secluded coves and beaches to explore, especially out of season,
- The park is an excellent base for watersports – canoes and kayaks can be hired from the shops near the Tidal River campsite
- Areas of the coastline in the park are excellent for surfing. Wilson’s Prom Surf School operates out of Tidal River and offers lessons as well as hiring out boards and wetsuits
Where to Stay
The park’s main accommodation centre is at Tidal River. Here, visitors can choose from a range of options including a campsite with shower blocks, basic wooden huts, or more comfortable self contained holiday units.
- Tidal River has 484 camping and caravan sites.
- Facilities include a general store, post office, take away and cafe as well as camping gas supplies.
Outside the park itself, there are other options available in the surrounding area.
Getting There
It's a 200km drive from Melbourne via the South Gippsland Highway, and should take around 3 hours. The settlement at Tidal River is located 30km inside the park.
Buses run at weekends between Tidal River and the nearby town of Foster, going via Fish Creek and connect with Vline coach services here.
See also:Hiking Tasmania's Overland Track
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