The Ultimate Guide To Wilsons Promontory National Park

Located at the southern tip of Australia’s mainland, Wilsons Promontory is a coastal wilderness of golden beaches and bushland trails which serves as one of Victoria’s favourite parks for good reason.

At the southernmost point of mainland Australia lies Victoria’s oldest and one of its most-loved national parks. Wilsons Promontory is a 50,000-hectare coastal wilderness of sandy beaches, granite tors, fern gullies, mountain peaks and native wildlife (think emus, wombats and vividly plumed rosellas), and even harbours a vast inland sand dune system. It is an Aboriginal cultural landscape that remains of major spiritual significance to Victorian Koorie communities today.

Getting to Wilsons Prom

Visit for the day, it’s three hours’ drive from Melbourne in South Gippsland, or stay awhile: the Prom’s main hub is the family-friendly Tidal River (named for the tea tree-stained waterway that curls lazily around it), which offers family-friendly campsites and huts (book ahead, especially in peak season) or hike to a secluded campsite or the historic cottages at the Wilsons Promontory Lightstation.

Marvel at the beauty found within one of Victoria’s favourite parks.

What to do at Wilsons Prom

Squeaky Beach

A must-hear sound as much as a must-see sight, powdery white Squeaky Beach gets its name from the noise your feet make as they pad along it. That’s thanks to the fine, rounded grains of quartz sand that compress under your feet as you walk. While here, take a dip in the famously turquoise waters and explore the maze of large granite boulders at the northern end of this iconic beach.

Mt Oberon

Set your sights on the summit of Mt Oberon for one of the best views in Victoria. This trek is short, at 6.8 kilometres return, and steep as you approach the granite peak where you’ll be rewarded with a panorama of Wilsons Promontory: from its pristine coastline and Tidal River to its offshore islands, gullies and other mountains. For a more rugged and challenging trek, hike Mt Bishop.

Views from the summit of Mt Oberon

Whisky Bay

Follow the coastal walk that connects some of Wilsons Prom’s pristine beaches from Squeaky Beach round to Whisky Bay – preferably in time for sunset (also accessible via its own car park). A secluded beach with colourful rock outcrops, its position on the western coast of the peninsula provides the rare opportunity on the east coast of Australia to see the sun go down over the ocean. Watch as sky, sand and sea turn all the shades of a Manhattan, and islands cast perfect silhouettes on the horizon.

Big Drift

One of the most unusual features of Wilsons Prom is rather poetically called the Big Drift: a landscape of vast and ever-shifting sand dunes. Near the park’s entrance yet off the beaten track, to get there it’s a two-kilometre walk from Stockyards Camp along a path that winds through bushland, paddocks and over hills until presenting you with the otherworldly sight. Spend time exploring but keep an eye on where you’ve come from – it can be easy to get lost here.

The Big Drift… a landscape of vast and ever-shifting sand dunes.

A Pennicott Cruise

Jump aboard one of Pennicott Wilderness Journeys’ amphibious yellow boats to explore the Prom’s rugged coastline and unique wildlife, venture to South Point and take in the granite monolith that is Skull Rock.

Hike to Sealers Cove

No roads lead to this picturesque cove, all sandy shores and forest fringed, so what better excuse to lace up your walking boots? Complete this 19.3-kilometre-return hike in a day or camp overnight.

Marine national park

Wilsons Prom is home to Victoria’s largest marine protected area, with waters off the southern coast that harbour a fascinating world ripe for exploration by divers and snorkellers and rivalling the Great Barrier Reef.

Find more memorable things to do at Wilsons Prom here.

A typical Wilsons Prom view of turquoise waters and golden sands.

Wildlife at Wilsons Prom

Wilsons Promontory is a refuge for native wildlife and a top whale-watching spot to boot.

Wombat

Visitors to Wilsons Prom will delight in seeing the typically reclusive wombat in the wild, and in fact, the portly marsupial can be quite bold and cheeky in its foraging for food at popular camping spot Tidal River; Parks Victoria advises storing food in your vehicle at night so as not to be woken by a furry intruder.

Whales

Head out on a wildlife cruise between September and November to spot majestic humpback and southern right whales motor past Wilsons Prom on their southerly migration.

Spot-tailed quoll

Part of a $23 million upgrade of the national park, a 10-kilometre predator-proof fence is being built across the isthmus at the entry to the Prom to create a 50,000-hectare sanctuary for vulnerable native species including the ground parrot, southern brown bandicoot and spot-tailed quoll.

Emu

The mighty emu is another fixture of Wilsons Prom and, while you may count yourself lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one on your travels around the park, up your chances by heading along on the short, sweet and appropriately named Prom Wildlife Walk, where you’ll also see other native wildlife including wallabies, roos and more wombats.

Access to Wilsons Prom

Wilsons Promontory is one of several national parks in Victoria that has free all-terrain wheelchairs; TrailRiders are available to hire so those with mobility limitations can enjoy and explore the wilderness including the views from the summit of Mt Oberon. The Prom, in fact, is one of three parks that offer the use of motorised TrailRiders for going longer and steeper, and has beach wheelchairs too. See parks.vic.gov.au for more information.

South Gippsland, which stretches from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs all the way to Wilsons Promontory, is gorgeous, green and a gastronomic delight.

It’s early summer when I take a road trip to explore the gourmet offerings of Victoria’s South Gippsland region and my adventure quickly proves fruitful. I’m seduced by signs urging me towards a rest area just minutes after I’ve turned onto the South Gippsland Highway.

There, I find a farmer selling cherries, boxes of almost-ripe mangoes, plump stone fruit and sweet strawberries. I load up my basket with snacks for the road and head for Inverloch.

1. Pearl

We have dinner reservations at Pearl, a modern Malaysian restaurant tucked away in a residential part of town. Worth hunting out for the slow-cooked beef rendang alone – made with Gippsland beef, of course – this restaurant is a surprising introduction to a gourmet weekend in this often underestimated part of the state.

What it lacks in ambience, it makes up for in bursts of authentic Malay flavour, with spice levels catered to. Crispy fried squid with a sweet, spicy mayonnaise-based dipping sauce, furikake and bonito flakes is followed by barramundi with sambal and charred lime.

Pearl is worth hunting out for the slow-cooked beef rendang alone.

2. Waratah Hills Vineyard

We use Tarwin Lower as a base to explore South Gippsland. Our first stop is Waratah Hills Vineyard in Fish Creek, a 16-hectare property with a cellar door and restaurant.

Waratah Hills Vineyard has a cellar door and restaurant.

This slice of Gippsland is ideal for growing pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, and the vines are planted dense and low in the French style. Renowned local Marcus Satchell is the winemaker and his light touch is evident in the Prom Road and Waratah Hills labels.

Glass of sparkling at Waratah Hills Vineyard in Gippsland

This slice of Gippsland is ideal for growing chardonnay grapes.

Here, guests are encouraged to play pétanque and have a pinot noir (or blanc de noir) with vineyard views. Kids can tumble on the grass while adults enjoy a pizza in the casual outdoor eatery or an indulgent cheese platter in the restaurant.

While away the hours at Waratah Hills Vineyard.

3. Gurneys Cider

Next we visit Gurneys Cidery, home to the world’s largest underground cider cellar door. Named The Arches, the structure was purchased from the former Hazlewood coal mine and repurposed as a cellar. Inside, gentle music floats around the dimly lit room.

Gurneys Cidery is home to the world’s largest underground cider cellar door. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Our guide tells us about Dr Matsuro Emoto’s water experiment, which theorised that the molecular structure of water is shaped by its environment, particularly human thoughts, emotions and intentions.

Just like some people talk to plants to help them grow, music is played at Gurneys to help nurture the cider and improve its flavour. The tasting flight convinces me of the experiment’s validity.

Gurneys Cidery cider and cheeseboard in Gippsland.

Music is played at Gurneys to help nurture the cider and improve its flavour. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The Gurnett family moved to Australia in 2001 from England and, missing their beloved cider, started foraging for apples and making cider with second-hand juicers. They purchased this property and planted over three hectares of heritage apple varieties, then built the restaurant and a home with views of rolling hills.

Gurneys Cidery couple with dog in Gippsland

Bring your dog along. (Image: Tourism Australia)

4. Moo’s at Meeniyan

Gnocchi is the favourite dish at Moo’s at Meeniyan according to owner Marty Thomas. The potato pasta is made by Meeniyan local Francesco Laera, who runs Trulli, the Italian restaurant in town. The carbonara sauce, elevated with mushrooms from nearby fungi farm and accommodation Wattle Bank Farm and Gippsland chardonnay cream sauce with local bacon, is rich and deeply satisfying.

Table outside Moo’s at Meeniyan in Gippsland

Sit outside and devour some gnocchi at Moo’s at Meeniyan. (Image: Sarah Paynter)

Moo’s at Meeniyan is a natural resting stop on the road between the city and the coast. Have coffee, a salad of roasted cauliflower, black rice, chickpea, cranberry, rocket and goat’s cheese or a small plate of shrimp spring rolls.

Exterior of Moo’s at Meeniyan in Gippsland

Moo’s at Meeniyan is a natural resting stop on the road between the city and the coast. (Image: Sarah Paynter)

5. Fleet Wines

Lisa and Justin Jenkins opened their Korumburra cellar door in November 2023. Designed as a place for their punters to enjoy wine, this long-term hospitality couple want their land to be in good shape for future generations.

Fleet Wines was designed so the land will be in good shape for future generations. (Image: Cam Suttie, Know Studio)

They are regenerating the soil at Fleet Wines and putting their heart and soul into creating deep connections with their neighbours, the land and the wildlife that lives upon it.

Fleet Wines glasses for wine tasting in Gippsland

A wine tasting for good. (Image: Cam Suttie, Know Studio)

The couple are also busy planting native species to replenish the earth where their vines will grow. They’ve planted 8000 trees on their property since 2019.

“We like to make wines we’d like to drink, and we like to drink things that have energy and light and a sense of refreshment to them,” Lisa says.

Group of friends having a wine tasting at Fleet Wines in Gippsland

Drop in for a tasting at Fleet Wines. (Image: Cam Suttie, Know Studio)

6. River Drive Motel

Our headlights illuminate a koala nonchalantly crossing the road on our drive back to River Drive Motel. We pull over, feeling both exhilarated and concerned, to ensure the koala’s safe passage and watch it disappear into the darkness.

Delight in retro revival at River Drive Motel. (Image: Albert Comper)

Each of the five rooms at the boutique motel has been renovated in modern shades of green and pink and are flush with luxe elements.

Interior of room at River Drive Motel in Gippsland

The rooms are flush with luxe elements. (Image: Albert Comper)

I’m in The Snug, a double with a bathroom (including a bath) and kitchenette. The minibar is filled with local artisanal goods such as the A.R.C. Baw Baw White wine, gin from Loch Brewery & Distillery and Chappy’s Chips.

Exterior of room at River Drive Motel in Gippsland

The boutique motel has been renovated in modern shades of green and pink. (Image: Albert Comper)

A garden shed has lawn games, deck chairs, beach towels and sunscreen. Guests can gather around the fire pit seated on tree stumps, arranged for this purpose, or cook a barbecue in the tranquil, expansive garden.

Picnic tables outside at River Drive Motel in Gippsland

Dine in the tranquil, expansive garden. (Image: Albert Comper)

I’ve ordered croissants and muesli from Acacia Edibles for breakfast in the morning. I eat by the water at a 35-metre-long picnic table that has been crafted and curved to represent the flow of the Tarwin River. I then wander, absorbing the serenity, bowl in hand, along the water’s edge, taking photos of the bottlebrushes, birds and intricate patterns on the bark of the eucalyptus trees.

Welcome gift at River Drive Motel in Gippsland

The motel supplies a welcome basket full of goodies. (Image: Albert Comper)

There’s plenty to do and see on a gastronomic journey around South Gippsland. This weekend was like a tasting plate of what the region has to offer. If only I could pack the whole gorgeous place into a picnic basket to take home.

The ultimate guide to Wilsons Promontory National Park