Stockyard Picnic Area

A woman rolls up a tent flap as a man moves more camping gear from the car to the tent.

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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Stockyard Picnic Area

A nice alternative to the often-busy Tidal River, the Stockyard picnic area is hidden among eucalypts and banksias near the Wilsons Promontory National Park entrance.

The grassy surrounds are a favourite of native wildlife, while the in-flower banksias attract colourful native birds. Spot kangaroos, wallabies and wombats as they visit the picnic grounds and Crimson Rosellas, New-holland Honeyeaters darting between nectar-rich foliage.

Camping is currently not permitted at Stockyard.

Things to do in the area

 
A couple stop to enjoy the view of the ocean sat upon a granite boulder at Tongue Point.

Darby River to Tongue Point

Commencing at the Darby River car park, a sandy track follows Darby River as it winds its way to the coast. The small exposed beach is embraced at each end by rocky headlands. Please stay on the beach and avoid climbing fragile sand dunes
Family walks together on a coastal track at Wilsons Promontory

Day walks at the Prom

There are many walks around the Prom. The walks provide a perfect opportunities to view native wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, emus and wombats as well as some spectacular views.
Three hikers walk along the beach at Wilson Promontory National Park.

Wilsons Promontory Northern Overnight Hikes

Up for more of a challenge? Try the Northern Circuit hiking and camping through the park.

How to get there

Stockyard Picnic Area

Stockyard Picnic Area sits right by the Wilsons Promontory National Park entrance. You may need to do a safe u-turn just past the park entrance to access the campground.

If you are driving, Stockyard Picnic Area is approximately 2.5-hours drive south east of Melbourne. Follow the Monash Freeway east before turning onto the South Gippsland Freeway and following signs to Wilsons Promontory.
Stockyard Picnic Area

When you're there

No opening hours apply to Wilsons Promontory National Park. While Stockyards is nestled in the northern section of the park, there is ample of fun to be had in the southern section. Download the Wilsons Promontory National Park visitor guide for more information about the park.

Need to know

Stockyard Picnic Area

Accessibility

The Wilsons Promontory Visitor Information Centre hires out an all-terrain wheelchair known as a TrailRider. The TrailRiders are free to hire, but must be booked through the information centre. Call on (03) 8427 2122 for more information.

The TrailRider is motorised and requires a minimum of two people to operate. Four operators are recommended for long trails or walks with significant gradients. The passenger of the TrailRider chair is required to wear a bike helmet when using the chair and visitors are asked to provide their own helmet.

The level of access to park trails and park beaches will largely depend on fitness of chair operators, ground surface, trail gradients and other factors. The All-terrain wheelchairs available easily disassemble and fit in the back of a station wagon.

Be prepared and stay safe

Wilsons Promontory National Park is in the South and West Gippsland fire district. Bushfires can occur during the warmer months. It is your responsibility to check current and forecast weather conditions.

Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226.

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.

  • Wilsons Promontory National Park

    Sealers Cove boardwalk is closed

    The Sealers Cove boardwalk needs to be rebuilt, following major storm and flood damage. 

    This will be a major and complex project. It will replace two kilometres of boardwalk over sensitive terrain while sensitively managing the surrounding environment.

    There is currently no public access to the boardwalk, and access to Sealers Cove is only possible via a 25km hike from Telegraph Saddle.

    For more information, including expected timeframes for the rebuild, visit the Sealers Cove Boardwalk project page.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Stockyard Campground & Toilet Block Closed

    Stockyard Campground and Toilet Block are closed until further notice. 

    Tidal River Footbridge Closed

    Tidal River Footbridge is closed due to safety concerns following an engineering assessment.

    Pillar Point and Tidal Overlook Walking Tracks can be accessed from Lilly Pilly Gully Carpark and Squeaky Beach.

    Apologies for any inconvenience. 

    Temporary toilets and showers on site at Tidal River Campground

    West, Beach and Firebreak toilet blocks are being upgraded. Works will be completed in late December, ahead of the peak summer period.
    From 13 October to 19 December 2025, temporary amenities will be in place at Beach and Firebreak blocks. There will be fewer showers available than normal. Campers should shower outside of peak times to avoid delays.
    There will be no shower or toilet facilities at West Block during this time. Temporary facilities cannot be provided as there is no suitable location. The nearest toilets and showers to West Block are at Newcastle Block. See the attached map for more details.
    East, Newcastle, Tidal and Hill blocks remain open throughout this time. Hill Block will be renovated separately in early 2026.
    These renovations have been funded by the Victorian Government’s Victoria’s Great Outdoors program. Victoria’s Great Outdoors is a $106.6 million investment by the Victorian Government into better campgrounds, walking trails, 4WD tracks and visitor facilities across Victoria’s parks and state forests.

    Attachments: Tidal River-Toilet-Temp-Closures (1,574KB)

    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.

    Deer Control Program 19 – 27 October 2025, Wilsons Promontory

    Parks Victoria will be conducting a deer control program at Wilsons Promontory National Park 19th - 27th October 2025. 
     
    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. 

Similar Experiences

 

Thurra River Campground

This campground is located in coastal woodland between the river and the ocean near Point Hicks. This is a popular spot for families to relax on hot days.
Two hikers cross an estuary in the Croajingolong National Park.

Tamboon Inlet Campground

Access is by boat only. Car-based camping is available at the nearby Peachtree Creek Reserve, situated on the eastern shores of Tamboon Inlet.
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