Parks and reserves remain open while we manage the impacts of H5 bird flu.

If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife, do not touch or approach them. Follow all signs and keep your distance from wildlife.

Visit Agriculture Victoria's website for more information.

Stockyard Picnic Area

Open grass area, a path and a line of trees at Stockyard Picnic Area in Wilsons Promontory National Park.

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

Explore

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.

  • 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.

  • 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 2026
     
    What 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 disruption
    To 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.

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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