Wilsons Promontory Lightstation

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Wilsons Promontory Lightstation

Perched on a small peninsula jutting out into the wild seas of Bass Strait, the Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse and its historic residences are the southernmost settlement on the Australian mainland. Adding to its remote appeal, the lightstation is only accessible by foot, along the Southern Prom Circuit Hikes.

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Built in 1859 from local granite, the Wilsons Promontory Lightstation is a perfect place to witness the Prom’s rugged and spectacular coastal environment while staying in the comfort of the historic cottages next to the lightstation.



Begin your adventure from the Telegraph Saddle Carpark and climb through eucalypt forest and sandy, coastal tee-tree scrub to reach the lightstation. Or opt for the coastal route and traverse the granite strewn landscapes on your way to Oberon Bay, before cutting inland and heading towards the lightstation.

In the 1800s supplies were delivered to the lighthouse by ship every six months and there was no communication with the outside world. Families, often with children, had the lonely but vital task of keeping the light burning, saving both ships and lives. Today, visitors can taste a little of the lighthouse keeper lifestyle by staying in cottages next to the lighthouse. The cottages are available for individual and group bookings for one or two nights.

The three bookable cottages offer everything you need for a comfortable stay, including a fully equipped shared kitchen with an oven, hotplates, microwave, fridge, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery.

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.
Father and son bird watching on boardwalk

Bird watching

From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.
The lighthouse at Cape Otway in the Otway National Park.

Lighthouses

Learn about the seafaring past of Victoria's rugged and unforgiving coastline at marine and maritime exhibits and sites.
A couple watch the sunset at a picnic table on the edge of Lake Catani at Mount Buffalo National Park.

Sunrises and sunsets

Spectacular sunsets from the summits and to west, and picturesque sunrises in the east , top-and-tail your day the perfect way.
Stargazing in the Murray Sunset National Park.

Stargazing

Escape the city lights to remote nature locations to see the spectacular starry southern night sky.

How to get there

Wilsons Promontory Lightstation

Wilsons Promontory Lightstation is only accessible on foot. To reach the lightstation, visitors must hike from either Tidal River and via Oberon Bay or from the Telegraph Saddle Carpark. Visitors booked in on any of the overnight hikes at Wilsons Promontory National Park must sign-in at the Tidal River Visitor Centre before setting out.
Wilsons Promontory Lightstation

Sites

When you're there

Walk down to South Point the southernmost point of the Australian mainland. From here are group of islands and the closest at about 10km, Rodondo Island which as it turns out is actually in Tasmanian waters. So you can very definitely see Tasmania from the tip!

Need to know

Wilsons Promontory Lightstation

Be prepared

  • Start your walk at least six hours prior to sunset. It is essential that all hikers arrive before dark.
  • The walk to the Lightstation is 19.1 km (one way) from Telegraph Saddle car park or 23.8 km (one way) from Tidal River via Oberon Bay.
  • Think long and hard about what you are capable of doing before you book accommodation at the Lightstation.
  • Try a practice walk of the same length along an undulating bush track whilst carrying a backpack to gauge your ability to walk this distance.
  • Carry sufficient drinking water for your walk.
  • Wear sturdy walking boots and carry a sun hat, sun screen and waterproof clothing.
  • Check the latest weather forecast.
  • Mobile Phone coverage cannot be relied upon.
  • Wilsons Promontory National Park will close on days of declared Catastrophic Fire Danger for the West & South Gippsland Total Fire Ban District.
  • A maximum two night stay applies to Lightstation accommodation.
  • You must check-in at the Visitor Centre at Tidal River prior to departure.
  • Check in at the Lightstation is between 2:00pm - 5:00pm and check out time is before 10:00am
  • The cottages must be left in a clean and tidy condition.
  • Bring your own sleeping bag.
  • Pillows and pillowcases are provided.
  • You must supply your own towel, food and drinks. Carry lightweight food and remove excess packaging before you depart.
  • For the enjoyment of others the maximum group size is 12 people.

 

Supplying and servicing the Lightstation

  • Due to the remote location and lack of vehicle access, the cost of supplying and servicing the Lightstation is not only considered in dollar terms but also in labour, time and resources.
  • A helicopter carries supplies to the Lightstation and carries out rubbish and other materials every six months. Some supplies can be taken out by boat however like the helicopter supply, this is totally weather dependent.
  • A diesel generator provides electricity for the Lightstation. Please help save power – turn off lights when not in use.
  • Gas bottles are the bulkiest and most costly resource transported to the Lightstation. Wear a jumper before using the heater. Please turn heaters off when not in use.
  • Hard rubbish from the Lightstation has to be removed by helicopter. Please take your rubbish away for recycling and disposal. “Carry out what you carry in”.
  • Carry water with you while hiking to the Lightstation. Water is available when you arrive at the Lightstation. Please use water wisely during your stay – short showers help.

 

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

 
Three hikers walk along the beach at Wilson Promontory National Park.

Wilsons Promontory Northern Overnight Hikes

Up for more of a challenge? Try the Northern Circuit hiking and camping through the park.
Four friends walk across the sand dunes along the Wildernous Coast Walk close to Mallacoota Inlet.

Wilderness Coast Walk

The Wilderness Coast Walk extends 100km from the eastern shores of Sydenham Inlet in Croajingolong National Park, to Wonboyn in the Nadgee Nature Reserve, New South Wales. This spot boasts a beautiful scenic walk along bright sanded beaches.
A woman with a large hiking pack takes in the view from Blanket Bay Campground.

Great Ocean Walk

The Great Ocean Walk extends just over 100km between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles near Princetown. The spectacular walk weaves its way through tall forests, coastal heathlands, wild rocky shores, river estuaries and windswept cliff-tops presenting amazing views.
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