Tidal River Campground

A woman and man sitting on camping chairs looking over to a woman kneeling inside an open tent.

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Tidal River Campground

Tidal River is the main visitor hub for Wilsons Promontory National Park. This picturesque spot offers a range of accommodations options to make the most of one of Victoria's favourite National Parks.

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With 484 camping and caravan sites, this is the most popular and well-equipped camping ground in Wilsons Prom and is the perfect base to enjoy scenic walks, swim, surf or relax at your campsite. Tidal River Campground has a range of beautiful sites - choose between a campsite nestled in the tea trees for a short walk to the sandy shores of Norman Beach or a family-friendly site closer to the calm waters of Tidal River.

If you're interested in spending time at Tidal River, but would prefer the comfort of a cabin or lodge, check out our Tidal River Accommodation. 

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.

 

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.
The view from Mt Oberon at Sunset.

Mount Oberon

Starting from the Telegraph Saddle car park, this iconic Prom walk follows the management vehicle track to the summit of Mount Oberon.Steps below the rocky summit lead to postcard perfect, panoramic views over Tidal River, the coast and offshore islands.
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.
The view of Norman Beach from the summit of Mount Oberon.

Norman Beach

Close to Tidal River campground, the beautiful Norman Beach is flanked by Pillar Point in the north and Norman Point in the south and offers stunning views of Mount Oberon.
A father and mother sit on Squeaky Beach with their daughter in an all terrain accessibility wheelchair.

Squeaky Beach

One of the Prom’s iconic locations, the rounded grains of quartz sand make a ’squeak’ when walked on.
Sunset on the rocks at Whiskey Bay in Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Whisky Bay

Whisky Bay is a small sheltered beach with rock formations at each end. Accessible from the Whisky Bay car park, the track follows a moist gully along Whisky Creek before passing over a sand dune to the beach.
A couple looks on at a Wombat on Wilsons Promontory National Park,

Tidal River Visitor Centre

The visitor centre at Tidal River provides information about walking tracks and things to do within the park. The centre is open daily from 9.00am - 4.00pm.

How to get there

Tidal River Campground

Wilsons Promontory is a three-hour drive from Melbourne. Follow Monash Freeway (M1) to join South Gippsland Freeway (M420/A440) to Meeniyan. Take the Meeniyan‐ Promontory Road (C444) to the Wilsons Promontory entrance.

Tidal River is a further 30 minutes drive from the entrance. Please drive carefully and look out for wildlife. Avoid driving between dusk and dawn. There is no fuel at Tidal River with the closest fuel supplies are at Yanakie, Fish Creek and Foster.

Tidal River Campground

When you're there

The Tidal River General Store stocks basic supermarket items, as well as ice, a range of souvenirs and camping gear. It also offers takeaway food and drinks. The store is open 7 days a week (9am to 5pm) and is closed Christmas Day with reduced opening hours on Boxing Day (9am to 2pm).

A free shuttle bus operates between Tidal River and Telegraph Saddle during the summer and Easter holidays and on weekends from November to April. 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.

 

Help us care for the park:

  • No dogs, cats, or other pets allowed
  • No fires permitted including solid fuel heating compounds for BBQs are not permitted at any time during the year
  • No drones or Remotely Piloted Aircraft
  • No firearms allowed
  • No generators

 

Peak season bookings

Most campgrounds can be booked online in advance, however, peak season periods (including Labour Day, Easter and summer school holidays) can be particularly popular and fill quickly with bookings accepted on a first in, first served basis. See further information about peak season bookings.

 

Need to know

Tidal River Campground

Preparing for a busy summer

The Prom gets extremely busy over summer. For both visitor safety and your enjoyment, there is a limit to the number of vehicles that can be in the park. On busy summer days it can be challenging to park and safely move around popular sites like Tidal River and Squeaky Beach as cars and pedestrians often share the same roads.

If you are visiting the Prom this summer, please:

  • consider visiting the Prom during on a weekday if you can
  • carpool to and within the Prom to reduce congestion issues 
  • you may have to wait in your car, please bring food and water
  • arrive before 10am and be prepared for crowds
  • check the Prom webpage before you travel for the latest conditions
  • only bring a maximum of two vehicles per site with your camping booking – this will be monitored and enforced
  • support the park team by leaving the park when you check-out to allow space for new campers and visitors

 

Accessibility

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.

 

Safety in Nature

To ensure that you and your companions stay safe, always remember that the natural environment can be unpredictable. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

 

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.

  • Yanakie Cemetery Walk (Wilsons Promontory National Park)

    Stockyard Toilet Block Closed

    The Stockyard Toilet Block is closed until further notice. 

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Aerial deer control operation October 23rd-27th 2023

    The following tracks and visitor areas will be closed during the operation:
    • Northern overnight hike circuit
    • 5 Mile Beach 

    Access to the following areas may be restricted at various times during the operation:
    • 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

    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. 

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

    Ground shooting operations targeting deer

    Ground control operations targeting deer will be undertaken in these Parks and Reserves from December 2022 to December 2023. These areas will remain open to visitors during operations.
     
    Alpine National Park (Bogong High Plains, Mount Bogong, Dinner Plain, Dargo High Plains, Foothills and Southern Alps)
    Buchan Caves Reserve
    Burrowa-Pine Mountain
    Cape Conran Coastal Park
    Cape Liptrap Coastal Park
    Cabbage Tree Creek Flora Reserve
    Errinundra National Park
    Lake Tyers State Park
    Lakes National Park
    Baw Baw National Park
    Mount Buffalo National Park
    Mount Mittamatite Regional Park
    Mount Mitta Mitta Flora Reserve
    Mount Lawson State Park
    Mount Granya State Park
    Mountain Creek Education Area
    Pheasant Creek Flora Reserve
    Wabba Wilderness Park
    Wilsons Promontory National Park

    For more information about deer control to protect biodiversity, please visit this link.

Similar Experiences

 
Family kicking a football outside their tent

Buchan Caves Reserve Campground

There are a range of powered campsites that are located on flat ground and generally close to the public amenities block. The sites allow vehicles to be parked within a few metres of each site. Campsites generally have a lawn surface and most sides have shade from trees.
A women walks her dog into the campsite while another women prepares food as her son looks on.

Banksia Bluff Campground

Banksia Bluff is a tranquil wooded campground where the peace is only broken by the dawn chorus and waves crashing. Set up camp among gum and banksia woodland and relax by the campfire. Camp with your dog on select sites.
The jetty at Lake Catani near the campground at Mount Buffalo National Park

Lake Catani Campground

Discover magnificent waterfalls and remote alpine landscapes while camping within beautiful Snow Gum woodlands beside Lake Catani in Mount Buffalo National Park.
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