Open daily, the Tidal River Visitor Centre has everything you need to get the most out of your Wilsons Promontory visit. Get advice and tips from the friendly staff, gain access to maps, and learn about the colourful history of the iconic Prom.
Tidal River is the main location for camping and accommodation options at Wilsons Promontory. The helpful staff at the visitor centre can help with all park enquiries, from accommodation bookings, to insider tips on where to spot native wildlife as well as booking permits for overnight hikes within the national park.
An interpretive display tells colourful stories of Wilsons Prom, covering its rich history and natural values.
Mobile device charging stations are available outside the Tidal River Visitor Centre and in some laundries throughout the campground.
Next to the Visitor Centre, the Tidal River General Store stocks the essentials, including milk, bread, ice, gas refills and souvenirs, along with a basic range of supermarket, emergency items and hot and cold food.
As beaches and coasts are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Tidal River is a safe and enjoyable one.
How to get there
Tidal River Visitor Centre
Amenities
When you're there
The Tidal River Visitor Centre is open daily, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm 4:00 pm. Contact the Tidal River Visitor Centre on (03) 8427 2122 for more information.
A free shuttle bus operates between Tidal River and Telegraph Saddle during peak periods. Departure points include the Tidal River Visitor Centre carpark, the overnight hikers carpark (Tidal River) and Telegraph Saddle carpark. Telegraph Saddle carpark is closed to vehicle access when the shuttle bus is in operation.
For more information on camping and accommodation at Tidal River, bookings and permit conditions and overnight hikes available for booking within Wilsons Prom, see the Wilsons Promontory National Park.
Need to know
Tidal River Visitor Centre
Accessibility
The Tidal River Visitor Centre has two wide entrances giving visitors with strollers or in wheelchairs easy access to the building. Inside, there is ample room for maneuvering around the centre and one of the information booths is specifically designed for visitors in wheelchairs.
The carpark opposite the visitor centre is sealed and two designated disabled parking bays are located closest to the visitor centre. Visitors must cross Main Road to access the building.
A motorised TrailRider and a range of beach wheelchairs are available for free hire from the Tidal River Visitor Centre. They allow people with significant physical disabilities or mobility limitations to explore the great outdoors at Wilsons Promontory National Park.
These all terrain wheelchairs are designed for different abilities and are available for both adults and children. The chairs are suited for sandy and semi-rough tracks where conventional wheelchairs cannot go. Contact the Tidal River Visitor Centre on (03) 8427 2122 for booking enquiries.
Watch as accessibility advocate Ryan Smith details the all abilities access and experiences on offer at the park.
Find out more about accessible accommodation, beach wheelchairs, all-terrain wheelchair, the TrailRider, and much more - all are available from the Visitor Information Centre at Tidal River.
FAQs
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What happens if I arrive after the office is closed at Tidal River?
Depending on if you are staying in a campsite or roofed accommodation the answer differs.
If you are staying on a camp site, you can go straight to your booked site. Bookings are essential and can be done online. Sites are allocated year-round, please do not set up on a campsite until you have booked it.
If you are in roofed accommodation, there is a board at the entrance to the Visitor Centre. This will have either your name of booking number along with the accommodation/hut or cabin name indicated. The keys will be left in the door for your arrival.
Change of Conditions
Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.
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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Stockyard Campground & Toilet Block Closed
Stockyard Campground and Toilet Block are closed until further notice.Aerial deer control operation 19 -21 October 2026 – Wilsons Promontory
Parks Victoria will be conducting an aerial deer control program from 5pm Sunday 19th – 7pm Wednesday 21st October.The following tracks and visitor areas will be closed during the operation:- Prom Wildlife Walk
- Northern overnight hike circuit
- 5 Mile Beach
- Big Drift
- Stockyard Campground
- Cotters Road, Cotters Lake and Cotters Beach
- Vereker Outlook
- Millers Landing
- Boundary Track
- Shallow Inlet via Hourigan Camp Lane
- Yanakie Cemetery Walk
Areas are also closed to access via watercraft.During the operation, visitors may hear gunshots and see a helicopter flying a low levels. Safety is of paramount importance and Parks Victoria will have an Operations Controller on-site to ensure visitor safety in addition to signage advising visitors of current closures.Deer Control Program 11 - 16 October 2026, Wilsons Promontory
Parks Victoria will be conducting a deer control program at Wilsons Promontory National Park 11th - 16th October 2026.From 5pm to 8am each day there will be no access to the following visitor areas while the operation occurs:- Stockyard Campground
- Big Drift
- Yanakie Cemetery
- Shallow Inlet Walk via
Hourigan Camp Lane
- Cotters Lake and Cotters Beach
Other visitor areas and some management vehicle only tracks may also be intermittently closed overnight while the operation occurs.Signage will be in place to inform visitors of all relevant closures.Invasive Species Control Programs 2025 - 2027
Wilsons Promontory National Park will be conducting invasive species control programs from 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2027. Introduced species such as deer, rabbits, foxes and feral cats are all major threats to nature.
By removing introduced hog deer and rabbits, we are reducing grazing pressure on the incredible variety of native plants and plant communities, including some that are nationally threatened. By targeting foxes and feral cats, we are reducing the threat of predation for native species such as the Southern Brown Bandicoot, Long-nosed Potoroo, Ground Parrot, New Holland Mouse, Eastern Pygmy Possum and the Hooded Plover.
All animal control programs are carried out under strict conditions, compliant with all relevant legislation, Codes of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures, designed to ensure safe, effective, and humane practices are implemented.
For further information, please visit Prom Sanctuary. -
Yanakie Cemetery Walk (Wilsons Promontory National Park)
Big Drift Walk Closed
Big Drift and Stockyard car park is closed whilst critical infrastructure works are undertaken as part of the Prom Sanctuary project. It will re open upon the completion of works. -
Wilsons Promontory National Park
Delays expected at the Wilsons Promontory National Park entrance
Visitors to Wilsons Promontory National Park are advised that temporary traffic management and delays are expected at the park entrance from 31 August to 20 November 2026 while critical infrastructure works are undertaken as part of the Prom Sanctuary project.Dates: 31 August to 20 November 2026What to expect- Temporary traffic management, including traffic controllers and stop/go traffic lights.
- Reduced speeds and possible delays when entering or exiting the park.
Works schedule- Exit road works: 31 August to 9 October 2026
- Entrance road works: 12 October to 20 November 2026
These dates may be subject to change depending on weather and site conditions.Minimising disruptionTo reduce impacts on visitors, works have been staged to maintain access to the park wherever possible. During the first stage of works, two-way traffic will be maintained through the park entrance, supported by traffic management measures.Visitors are encouraged to allow extra travel time, follow the directions of traffic controllers, and check for the latest conditions before travelling.