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
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.Stockyard Campground & Toilet Block Closed
Stockyard Campground and Toilet Block are closed until further notice.Stockyard Campground & Toilet Block Closed
Stockyard Campground and Toilet Block are closed until further notice.Invasive species control programs 17 - 21 and 23 - 27 March 2025
Parks Victoria will be conducting an introduced predator and deer control program at Wilsons Promontory National Park 17th - 21st March and 23rd - 27th March 2025.From 5pm to 8am each day there will be no access to the following visitor areas while the operation occurs:- The Stockyards
- Big Drift
- Yanakie Cemetery
- Shallow Inlet Walk via Hourigan Camp Lane
- Cotters Lake and Cotters Beach
- 5 Mile Beach Campground (17th - 21st March only)
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.Park Closure - 5pm Sunday 17 August to 8am Friday 22 August 2025
Wilsons Promontory National Park will be closed to all park visitors from 5pm Sunday 17th August to 8am Friday 22nd August 2025 to undertake essential park management and conservation programs.Free Shuttle Bus to Telegraph Saddle
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.
The bus is currently operating on weekends and public holidays.
When the bus is not in operation the road remains open for parking at Telegraph Saddle.No water at Oberon Bay Campground
The water tank at Oberon Bay Campground is empty, please carry sufficient water for the duration of your stay.
No water at Halfway Hut campground
The water tank at Halfway Hut Campground is empty, please carry sufficient water for the duration of your stay. -
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: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects/eastern-victoria/sealers-cove-boardwalk-rebuild.Wilsons Promontory National Park - Invasive Species Control Programs
Introduced species such as deer, rabbits, foxes and feral cats are all major threats to nature. Wilsons Promontory National Park is working towards pest free nature.Targeted invasive species control programs will be in place within Wilsons Promontory National Park between June 2023 - June 2025.Some access restrictions may apply. Please observe local signage.