If you drive south from Melbourne, after a few hours you suddenly find yourself in a completely different world. Rugged granite mountains, tropical-looking forests, white beaches and a surprising amount of wildlife. Welcome to Wilsons Promontory National Park, also simply called “The Prom” by locals.
This national park in the state of Victoria covers around 50,000 hectares of nature and is known for its incredibly beautiful coastline, many beaches and the great hiking opportunities that come with them. The park is about a three-hour drive from Melbourne and is a popular place for weekend trips, but also for road trippers travelling through Australia.
We visited Wilsons Prom during our road trip through southern Australia. After driving along the coast for a few days, we found this to be a wonderful place to really get back into nature, go on some great hikes and relax on the beach.
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Our first day in Wilsons Promontory
We drive for about two hours towards our first hike in Wilsons Promontory. As soon as you enter the park, you immediately notice how vast the natural area is. The road winds through forests and mountains and every now and then you can already see the ocean through the trees.
What immediately stands out to us is how quiet it is here. Apart from a few other cars, you barely encounter anyone. That already makes driving through the park an experience in itself.
Lilly Pilly Gully Track: a walk through the rainforest
Our first hike of the day is the Lilly Pilly Gully Track. We mainly wanted to do this walk because of the name, which suspiciously resembles the nickname of our cat: Lilly Pallily. Of course we couldn’t skip that.
The walk takes you through a surprisingly green and almost tropical landscape. You walk through dense rainforest, past small streams and between enormous trees. Along the way you hear birds everywhere and occasionally some rustling in the bushes.
We spot a few beautiful birds, but otherwise the wildlife remains a bit hidden today. Still, it’s a nice walk to slowly get to know the park.
Squeaky Beach: the most famous beach in Wilsons Prom
After the hike we continue driving through the park and make several stops at beaches and viewpoints. One of the most famous places is Squeaky Beach.
The name comes from the fine white sand that literally squeaks when you walk over it. The beach is surrounded by enormous granite boulders and clear blue water.
What stood out most to us was how clear the water is here. It almost looks tropical, but the water can be surprisingly cool.
Tip: Come here early in the morning or later in the afternoon. In the middle of the day it can get quite busy here.
Staying overnight at Tidal River
At the end of the day we drive to Tidal River, the central area of the park. This is also where the largest campground in Wilsons Promontory is located.
The atmosphere here is cosy and relaxed. Many people stay here with campers or tents. As the sun slowly sets, you start seeing more and more wildlife appear.
Kangaroos regularly walk between the campsites here. It almost feels like you’re in the middle of a nature documentary.
Day 2: the hike to Mount Oberon
The next morning we still have a full day to further explore Wilsons Prom. On the way to our hike we spot wild emus along the road for the first time. That always remains special to see.
Mount Oberon Summit Walk
The most famous hike in the park is the Mount Oberon Summit Walk. Because the parking area at the trailhead is only limitedly accessible, we first take the shuttle bus from the Visitor Centre at Tidal River.
From there the climb of about three kilometres begins. The path itself isn’t the most spectacular trail – you mostly walk uphill along a wide road – but the view at the top makes up for everything.
Once you reach the top, you look out over the coastline of Wilsons Prom, the mountains and the ocean. There are no fences or railings here, so we keep a safe distance from the edge ourselves.
Relaxing at Whisky Bay
After the hike it has become a warm and pleasant day. Time to take it a bit easier. We grab a nice lunch and then drive to Whisky Bay.
This beach might actually be our favourite in the park. The water is clear turquoise and the bay is surrounded by enormous granite rocks.
We settle down on the beach and spend the rest of the afternoon here. Not a bad way to end a morning of hiking.
The most beautiful hikes in Wilsons Promontory
Wilsons Prom is a paradise for hikers. From short walks to longer coastal hikes, there is something for everyone.
- Mount Oberon Summit Walk – best viewpoint in the park
- Lilly Pilly Gully Track – rainforest walk
- Pillar Point Walk – views over Norman Bay
- Tongue Point Walk – beautiful coastal walk
- Sealers Cove Walk – long hike to a remote beach
Wilsons Promontory in 2 days
- Day 1: Lilly Pilly Gully Track, Glennie Lookout, Squeaky Beach, Tidal River
- Day 2: Mount Oberon hike, Whisky Bay, wildlife spotting
Where to stay near Wilsons Promontory
We stayed at Wilsons Prom Holiday Park in Yanakie, just outside the park. This park is about a 10-minute drive from the entrance. Early in the morning I took the beautiful photo you see above.
- spacious camper sites
- quiet location
- beautiful views
- perfect base for exploring the park
Renting a car for Wilsons Promontory
The park is not accessible by public transport. Most travellers therefore rent a car in Melbourne and then drive to Wilsons Promontory.
Many travellers combine Wilsons Promontory during their road trip with other places in Victoria such as the Great Ocean Road or the impressive Grampians National Park.
What is the best time to visit Wilsons Promontory?
Wilsons Promontory is beautiful all year round, but most travellers visit the park between October and April. During these months the weather is usually warm and the beaches look their best.
We were there in March ourselves and had perfect weather: sunny, around 24 degrees and ideal for hiking as well as relaxing on the beach. Especially the combination of hikes and beaches makes Wilsons Prom a great destination during this period.
- Spring (September – November) – Lots of flowers and pleasant temperatures.
- Summer (December – February) – Warm and perfect for beach days, but also busier.
- Autumn (March – May) – Often quiet and still very pleasant weather.
- Winter (June – August) – Cooler and quieter, but some days can be wet or windy.
Tip: start your hikes early if you plan to go walking. In summer it can get quite hot in the middle of the day.
Wildlife spotting in Wilsons Promontory
Wilsons Promontory is known for its abundance of wildlife. During our visit we quickly saw the first emus walking along the road. That always remains a special sight.
But those are certainly not the only animals you might encounter here. The park is home to:
- kangaroos
- wombats
- emus
- wallabies
- echidnas
- many different bird species
You have a good chance of seeing animals especially around Tidal River. In the evening kangaroos often walk around the campsite.
Best moments to spot wildlife:
- early in the morning
- around sunset
- on quiet roads in the park
How do you get to Wilsons Promontory?
Most travellers visit Wilsons Promontory from Melbourne. The distance is about 220 kilometres and the drive takes roughly three hours.
The route is quite straightforward. First you drive towards the town of Yanakie, where the entrance to the national park is also located. From there it’s about another 30 minutes to the central area at Tidal River.
Many people combine Wilsons Prom during a road trip through Victoria with other places such as:
Because there is no public transport to the park, renting a car is practically necessary. Fortunately the roads in Victoria are good and the drive from Melbourne is very manageable.
Frequently asked questions about Wilsons Promontory
How much time do you need for Wilsons Prom?
At least one full day, but two days is actually ideal. That way you have time for a few hikes and to visit the beaches. Love the beach? Then you can easily add an extra day!
Is Wilsons Promontory a day trip from Melbourne?
It can be done, but it will be a long day. Travel time is about three hours one way. That’s why many travellers choose to stay at least one night nearby. We did too.
Do you have to pay an entrance fee for Wilsons Prom?
Entrance to Wilsons Promontory National Park is free. Only campsites or accommodation inside the park require reservations. And those fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
We thought Wilsons Promontory was absolutely fantastic. The park combines beautiful coastlines, white beaches, wildlife and great hiking trails. If you’re doing a road trip through Victoria, this is definitely a place you don’t want to miss.
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