Wilsons Promontory Lightstation

A concrete path leads to a lighthouse constructed in granite, the top of whichis painted white. Single story white buildings line the path behind a shoulder high granite wall.

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Wilsons Promontory Lightstation

Perched on a small peninsula jutting out into the wild seas of Bass Strait, the Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse and its historic residences are the southernmost settlement on the Australian mainland. Adding to its remote appeal, the lightstation is only accessible by foot, along the Southern Prom Circuit Hikes.

The Lightstation Banks Cottage and the shared cottage accommodation rooms are available to book everyday between the start of the September school holidays to the end of April and then only Friday and Saturday nights in May and June.

The two shared cottages are available to be booked as a whole cottage during our cooler months between Sunday – Thursday in May and June and everyday from the start of July to the start of September school holidays. Get your family and friends together to experience winter at the southern end of the Prom.

Book now

Built in 1859 from local granite, the Wilsons Promontory Lightstation is a perfect place to witness the Prom’s rugged and spectacular coastal environment while staying in the comfort of the historic cottages next to the lightstation.



Begin your adventure from the Telegraph Saddle Carpark and climb through eucalypt forest and sandy, coastal tee-tree scrub to reach the lightstation. Or opt for the coastal route and traverse the granite strewn landscapes on your way to Oberon Bay, before cutting inland and heading towards the lightstation.

In the 1800s supplies were delivered to the lighthouse by ship every six months and there was no communication with the outside world. Families, often with children, had the lonely but vital task of keeping the light burning, saving both ships and lives. Today, visitors can taste a little of the lighthouse keeper lifestyle by staying in cottages next to the lighthouse. The cottages are available for individual and group bookings for one or two nights.

The three bookable cottages offer everything you need for a comfortable stay, including a fully equipped shared kitchen with an oven, hotplates, microwave, fridge, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery.

Things to do in the area

Two women walk along the track between granite rocks and grass trees on the Southern Circuit hiking trail at Wilsons Promontory National Park

Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit Overnight Hikes

Hike your way to overnight camping sites and sleep in bookable shady campsites with views of glassy torquoise water.
Father and son bird watching on boardwalk

Bird watching

From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.
The lighthouse at Cape Otway in the Otway National Park.

Lighthouses

Learn about the seafaring past of Victoria's rugged and unforgiving coastline at marine and maritime exhibits and sites.
A couple watch the sunset at a picnic table on the edge of Lake Catani at Mount Buffalo National Park.

Sunrises and sunsets

Spectacular sunsets from the summits and to west, and picturesque sunrises in the east , top-and-tail your day the perfect way.
Stargazing in the Murray Sunset National Park.

Stargazing

Escape the city lights to remote nature locations to see the spectacular starry southern night sky.

How to get there

Wilsons Promontory Lightstation

Wilsons Promontory Lightstation is only accessible on foot. To reach the lightstation, visitors must hike from either Tidal River and via Oberon Bay or from the Telegraph Saddle Carpark.
Wilsons Promontory Lightstation

Sites

When you're there

Walk down to South Point the southernmost point of the Australian mainland. From here are group of islands and the closest at about 10km, Rodondo Island which as it turns out is actually in Tasmanian waters. So you can very definitely see Tasmania from the tip!

Need to know

Wilsons Promontory Lightstation

Be prepared

  • Start your walk at least six hours prior to sunset. It is essential that all hikers arrive before dark.
  • The walk to the Lightstation is 19.1 km (one way) from Telegraph Saddle car park or 23.8 km (one way) from Tidal River via Oberon Bay.
  • Think long and hard about what you are capable of doing before you book accommodation at the Lightstation.
  • Try a practice walk of the same length along an undulating bush track whilst carrying a backpack to gauge your ability to walk this distance.
  • Carry sufficient drinking water for your walk.
  • Wear sturdy walking boots and carry a sun hat, sun screen and waterproof clothing.
  • Check the latest weather forecast.
  • Mobile Phone coverage cannot be relied upon.
  • Wilsons Promontory National Park will close on days of declared Catastrophic Fire Danger for the West & South Gippsland Total Fire Ban District.
  • A maximum two night stay applies to Lightstation accommodation.
  • Check in at the Lightstation is between 2:00pm - 5:00pm and check out time is before 10:00am
  • The cottages must be left in a clean and tidy condition.
  • Bring your own sleeping bag.
  • Pillows and pillowcases are provided.
  • You must supply your own towel, food and drinks. Carry lightweight food and remove excess packaging before you depart.
  • For the enjoyment of others the maximum group size is 12 people.

 

Supplying and servicing the Lightstation

  • Due to the remote location and lack of vehicle access, the cost of supplying and servicing the Lightstation is not only considered in dollar terms but also in labour, time and resources.
  • A helicopter carries supplies to the Lightstation and carries out rubbish and other materials every six months. Some supplies can be taken out by boat however like the helicopter supply, this is totally weather dependent.
  • A diesel generator provides electricity for the Lightstation. Please help save power – turn off lights when not in use.
  • Gas bottles are the bulkiest and most costly resource transported to the Lightstation. Wear a jumper before using the heater. Please turn heaters off when not in use.
  • Hard rubbish from the Lightstation has to be removed by helicopter. Please take your rubbish away for recycling and disposal. “Carry out what you carry in”.
  • Carry water with you while hiking to the Lightstation. Water is available when you arrive at the Lightstation. Please use water wisely during your stay – short showers help.

 

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. 

    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.

    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)

    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 at other parks

 
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.
Two women walk along the track between granite rocks and grass trees on the Southern Circuit hiking trail at Wilsons Promontory National Park

Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit Overnight Hikes

Hike your way to overnight camping sites and sleep in bookable shady campsites with views of glassy torquoise water.
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Wilderness Coast Walk

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Great Ocean Walk

The Great Ocean Walk extends just over 100km between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles near Princetown. The spectacular walk weaves its way through tall forests, coastal heathlands, wild rocky shores, river estuaries and windswept cliff-tops presenting amazing views.
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The Grampians Peaks Trail (160km) is a world-class 13-day hiking experience from Mt Zero in the north, through Halls Gap and finishing at Dunkeld. It can also be completed in shorter sections.
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Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

One of Victoria's icon walks, the 37km Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing (FHAC) is a 3 day/2 night walk through the Alpine National Park, linking the resort villages of Falls Creek and Mt Hotham.
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The Glenelg River offers excellent opportunities for flat water canoeing over the 75kms from Dartmoor to its mouth near Nelson. For much of its distance the river flows through the Lower Glenelg National Park, enabling enthusiasts to observe wildlife in its natural environment.
A group of four hikers walk along the beach at Discovery Bay as part of the Great South West Walk

Great South West Walk

Walk the diverse landscapes of Lower Glenelg National Park, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, Cobboboonee National Park and Cape Nelson State Park. Starting from Portland, the walk travels through majestic tall forests, meanders alongside the World Heritage Glenelg River, remote ocean beaches, past ancient lakes and culminates along rugged ocean clifftops.
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