Southern Overnight Hikes

Two women in hiking gear walk along a sandy path, surrounded by boulders and vegetation.

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Southern Overnight Hikes

Venture into the Southern Prom and discover a remote place of great natural beauty. The Southern Prom Circuit overnight hike is a three to five day trail through warm temperate rainforest to the sublime eastern shores of Wilsons Promontory where you can enjoy the white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of Sealers Cove and Waterloo Bay.
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The Southern Prom is one of the highlights of Wilsons Promontory National Park. Yet only a very small proportion of visitors to the park venture there. The way to get the most out of the Southern Prom is to tackle an overnight hike on the famous Southern Circuit.

The most popular Southern Prom overnight hike is three-day circuit starting and finishing at Telegraph Saddle Carpark, including overnight camps at the gorgeous Sealers Cove and Waterloo Bay on the secluded eastern coast of the Prom. This circuit does not take in Wilsons Prom Lightstation or South Point, the southernmost place in mainland Australia. However, you can make your own itinerary or walk the five-day Southern Prom Extended Circuit.

Please note: there is no direct access to Sealers Cove from Telegraph Saddle carpark via the Sealers Cove Walking Track, which is closed until 2024. Until further notice, be prepared to walk the current Southern Circuit via Telegraph Track (25 kilometres from Telegraph Saddle to Sealers Cove).

Camping Areas

Two women walk along the track next to a coastal marsh on the Southern Circuit hiking trail at Wilsons Promontory National Park

Sealers Cove Camping Area

A walkers paradise, Sealers Cove is often recognised as one of the Prom's top destinations for hikers because of its access to the beautiful eastern coast.
A man walks set up a yellow tent at Little Waterloo Bay on the Southern Circuit hiking trail at Wilsons Promontory National Park

Little Waterloo Bay Camping Area

On the eastern coast of Wilsons Promontory, Little Waterloo Bay Campground is surrounded by steep, forested slopes covered with llly pilly trees and large granite boulders.
Two hikers set up a yellow tent near Halfway Hut on the Southern Circuit hiking trail at Wilsons Promontory National Park

Halfway Hut Camping Area

Great for an overnight stop, Halfway Hut Camping Area is a popular bush campsite situated inland on the Prom and is accessible only via hiking the Telegraph Track.
A man and women set up their tent amid the sand dunes at Oberon Bay Campground on the Southern Circuit hiking trail at Wilsons Promontory National Park

Oberon Bay Camping Area

Nestled among tea trees, Oberon Bay Camping Area is a tranquil bush campsite situated on the west side of the Prom. The camping area is accessible only via hiking from Tidal River or Telegraph Junction.
A man and women set up a yellow tent at Roaring Meg on the Southern Circuit hiking trail at Wilsons Promontory National Park

Roaring Meg Camping Area

Roaring Meg is the most southern hike-in camping area at the Prom. Accessed via Telegraph Track, the camping area is nestled amongst a fern covered gully.
A man and women stop for a drinks break next to granite rocks on the Southern Circuit hiking trail at Wilsons Promontory National Park

Rufuge Cove Camping Area

Surrounded by lush vegetation, Refuge Cove Camping Area is named after the stunning, secluded beach on the eastern side of the Wilsons Promontory. Hike in from Sealers Cove or Little Waterloo Bay.

How to get there

Southern Overnight Hikes

Wilsons Promontory National Park is approximately three hours’ drive from Melbourne. Tidal River is further 30 minutes drive from the entrance. Drive carefully and look out for wildlife. Avoid driving between dusk and dawn. There is no fuel at Tidal River. During peak summer months and on weekends from Melbourne Cup to Easter long weekend, a free shuttle bus takes visitors to Telegraph Saddle from Tidal River and the overnight hikers car park. Telegraph Saddle car park is closed to all other vehicles during these times.

Southern Overnight Hikes

When you're there

Overnight hikers must obtain a permit before commencing their walk and carry it with them at all times. Please ensure that you have an emergency contact who has been notified of your trip itinerary. Each area has a maximum of two consecutive nights and a maximum group size of 12 people.

Download the guide to the Southern Circuit overnight hikes and the Wilsons Prom visitor guide.

Need to know

Southern Overnight Hikes

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

    Deer Control Program 7 - 11 October 2024, Wilsons Promontory

    Parks Victoria will be conducting a deer control program at Wilsons Promontory National Park 7th - 11th October 2024. 
     
    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
    • Oberon Bay Campground & Beach (5pm Monday 7th  – 8am Tuesday 8th October 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. 

    Stockyard Campground & Toilet Block Closed

    Stockyard campground and toilet block are closed until further notice.

  • 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.

    Tidal River and Telegraph Saddle shuttle bus

    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 shuttle bus is currently running from Saturday 21 September to Sunday 6 October 2024.

    Attachments: Wilsons Promontory National Park - Tidal River and Telegraph Saddle shuttle bus information (261KB)

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