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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.
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
Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit Overnight Hikes
Mount Oberon
Day walks at the Prom

Norman Beach
Squeaky Beach

Whisky Bay
Tidal River Visitor Centre
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 or electric vehicle charging at Tidal River. The closest supplies are at Yanakie, Fish Creek and Foster.
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 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.
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.
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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
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.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 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.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.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.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.