Wilsons Prom Sanctuary

Through the Prom Sanctuary project, Wilsons Promontory National Park will become a 50,000 hectare climate change safe haven, where Victoria’s rich wildlife and habitats are freed from the pressures of introduced predators and pests.

An exclusion fence designed to prevent introduced animals from entering Wilsons Promontory National Park, in addition to conservation programs - including large scale invasive species control, large-scale habitat restoration and threatened species recovery programs - will transform the much-loved national park into Victoria’s largest conservation sanctuary where nature is cared for and native animals and plants thrive.

Parks Victoria has been supported through major funding from the Victorian Government and additional support of $1 million from the Australian Government's Environment Restoration Fund - Safe Havens for Threatened Species program. We will be working with Traditional Owners, conservation and research organisations, and the community through all stages of the program.

The Prom Sanctuary project is helping to deliver on government strategies to protect nature, including Protecting Victoria's Environment - Biodiversity 2037 and the Australian Government's Threatened Species Strategy 2021-2031.

Pest-free nature

Regardless of whether you call them pest species or feral animals, introduced species such as deer, rabbits, foxes and feral cats are all major threats to nature. Read about the damage they cause - Feral animals.

To establish the Wilsons Promontory Sanctuary, we must reduce or remove major threats to nature on a scale that makes a difference.

We are reducing grazing pressure on the incredible variety of native plants and plant communities, including some that are nationally threatened.

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 Hooded Plover.

To give nature the best chance of thriving, we are aiming to eradicate deer, rabbits, foxes and feral cats from Wilsons Prom.

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.

Caring for Country

For nature to be healthy, the landscape needs to contain a suitable mix of native plant species and communities. Invasive weeds and overabundant native plants including Coastal Tea Tree, Mirror Bush and Ox-eye Daisy transform landscapes, crowd out other plants and prevent a diverse mix of species.

The mix of different plant and animals species and their interactions is what we call 'biodiversity'.

To care for nature, we must increase biodiversity. Weed management is a huge part of this.

We are using best practice and adaptive management techniques to eradicate any new and emerging weeds wherever they occur and control existing weeds at sites of biodiversity significance.

We are using tools such as ecological burning, mulching, carefully controlled chemical and bioagent control to remove weeds.

By improving the biodiversity of the Prom's Coastal Grassy Woodlands, Riparian Wetlands and Coastal landscapes, breeding populations of resident shorebirds and the abundance of small mammals will be better protected in a changing climate.

Bringing species back from the brink

Being situated on the southernmost point of mainland Australia, Wilsons Prom is naturally sheltered from the dramatic impacts of climate change. With the added protection through the Prom Sanctuary project, it will become the perfect place for threatened species whose habitat in other parts of Victoria is suffering and may never be the same again.

As threats are removed from Wilsons Prom and it becomes a safer place for vulnerable native animals and plants, we are taking steps to reintroduce and translocate specially chosen rare and threatened native species.

This is not a decision being made lightly. Species translocations require careful planning, environmental restoration and protection, and ongoing monitoring to ensure that the species and their habitat will be safe and healthy.

Watch this space!

Community updates

To receive updates by email please subscribe here.

News from the Prom

One of the characteristics of Blue Hound's Tongue is a bloom of bright blue flowers adorned with dark veining.

Wombat trails help track down source of dangerous invasive weed

Visitors to national parks are reminded to clean their shoes, clothes and gear after each park visit, as an invasive weed is detected for the first time in Victoria at Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Sun's out, skinks out

Science doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes all you need is a good roof tile. And some help from Mother Nature.

A mob a kangaross look up from eating grass on Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Wilsons Prom Sanctuary one step closer

Wilsons Promontory National Park is one step closer to becoming Victoria’s largest conservation sanctuary, with the company GHD appointed to design an exclusion fence for destructive animals like foxes, feral cats and deer.

Two people setting up remote monitoring cameras in bushland high above the park, with rolling green hills and clear blue ocean water far below them in the background.

Protecting the Prom's vulnerable creatures

Small native species at Wilsons Promontory are at risk of being predated by foxes and feral cats. A dedicated team of conservationists and specialist rangers have been hard at work to reduce this threat and give native species the best chance of thriving.

A blue fairy wren sitting on a small branch

How does a fence protect native plants and animals?

Wilsons Promontory National Park will become a 50,000-hectare climate change safe haven, where Victoria’s rich wildlife and habitats are freed from the pressures of introduced species. But how does a fence help?

Wilsons Prom Revitalisation

The Wilsons Prom Revitalisation project will invest in the protection and enhancement of Wilsons Prom. This is critical for delivering superior visitor experiences while reducing the environmental impact of visitation.

Rare native rodent discovered at the Prom

For the first time in three decades the endangered Broad-toothed Rat has been rediscovered at Wilson Promontory National Park.

Eastern Bristlebird release at Wilsons Promontory National Park

Eastern Bristlebird's long road to recovery

A delicate overnight operation recently saw 17 Eastern Bristlebirds successfully translocated from Booderee National Park and Jervis Bay National Park in south-eastern New South Wales to the most southern tip of Australia’s mainland – Wilsons Promontory National Park in Victoria.

Pookila Captive Breeding Program

The New Holland Mouse, or Pookila, only occurs in five locations within Victoria, including Wilson’s Promontory National Park. We are working with partners as part of the captive breeding program to secure the future of this threatened species.

The Prom Sanctuary Concept

In this video, Dr Mark Norman, Parks Victoria's Chief Conservation Scientist, explores the science behind Prom Sanctuary concept, and talks through the approaches to turn the national park into Victoria’s largest conservation sanctuary.

An emu walks in an open, grassy area at Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Using fire to restore habitat at Wilsons Prom

Some ecosystems within Wilsons Promontory National Park rely on fire to stay healthy and we use ecological planned burning to help their restoration and renewal.

Ensuring the survival of Eastern Bristlebirds in Victoria

Howe Flat in Croajingolong National Park is the only place in Victoria where the threatened Eastern Bristlebird lives. With the fires closing in at Cape Howe in Victoria's far-east, a team of scientists and wildlife experts flew in for an emergency rescue.

A dirt path weaves among trees and past a park bench at the Tyakil Nature Walk in Wyperfeld National Park.

Conservation Action Plans

Conservation Action Plans (CAPs) are the tool to carefully target our conservation efforts to achieve the best outcomes for ecosystems and species with the available resources.