Wilsons Promontory, or more commonly known as “The Prom”, is a stunning coastal national park located at the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. It is one of the most popular destinations for tourists and locals alike, offering breathtaking views of the coastline, rugged mountains, pristine beaches, and diverse wildlife. We had no idea that only 3 hours south east from Melbourne was one of the most stunning National parks we have seen. In this blog post, we will explore the beauty Wilsons Promontory, share the best things to do and why it is a must-visit destination when you visit in Victoria.
Wilsons Promontory covers an area of approximately 50,000 hectares, including the southernmost point of mainland Australia. The park is characterised by its diverse topography, ranging from granite mountains to coastal heathlands and pristine beaches. You will be spoilt for choice here!
Check out our YouTube video from Wilsons Promontory below.
Where to stay camp in Wilsons Promontory?
We spent 3 night in Wilsons Promontory National park and stayed at Tidal River Camp ground An unpowered site cost us $32.50 per night.
Tidal River is the main visitor hub for Wilsons Promontory National Park. The accomodation offers a range of accommodations options including basic campsites and more luxurious cabin-style accommodation. Click here to book your accomodation at Tidal River.
Want to read more about the van we are traveling in? Check out our finished van build here.
Best things to do at Wilsons Promontory.
Float in the rock pools at Fairy Cove
Fairy Cove is 250 metres of pristine open beach with crystal clear water, giant rock formations and rock pools. The 2.8km sandy trail to Fairy Cove takes about 45min from Darby River carpark. The walk begins up a steep incline on wooden planks and flattens out to moderate before declining down to the beach. Trust me when I say the walk WILL be worth it. The views along the trail are INCREDIBLE!
This long walk is probably the reason why Fairy Cove is a great spot to get away from the crowds. You are rewarded with views over the ocean and the scenic walk is very enjoyable. It’s an absolute must-do when visiting Wilsons Promontory.
Hike up to Mount Oberon for sunset
Wilsons Promontory is a hiker’s paradise, with over 80km of hiking trails available for visitors to explore. The most popular trail is the Mount Oberon Summit Walk, which offers stunning 360 degree views of the park and surrounding coastline. Mount Oberon is the tallest mountain in the park, which stands at 558 meters above sea level.
The trail starts at the Telegraph Saddle car park, from there follow the management vehicle track the up mountain before a short series of steps take you to the rocky summit. The 6.8km round-trip takes approximately 40-60 minutes to reach the top.
We went up to Mount Oberon for sunset and it was pretty packed up the top. We walked down to the left of the mountain and had a spot all to ourselves to shoot and enjoy the uninterrupted, panoramic views.
Spend the day at Squeaky Beach
If you are wondering how Squeaky Beach got its name, simply just take off your shoes and walk along the beach. You will hear it- it really does make a squeaking sound as you walk. The sand makes this sound because of the fine, rounded grains of quartz sand compressing under your feet, creating a high-pitched squeak.
Beaches are one of the main draw cards of Wilsons Promontory and Squeaky Beach is one of the best beaches for it pristine beach, granite boulders, crystal clear water, white sand and great small waves.
You can park at Squeaky Beach or walk there from neighbouring Picnic Bay or Tidal River. It is a beautiful walk overlooking the west side of Wilsons Prom.
Take the coastal 3 Bays walk -Squeaky Beach, Picnic Bay, Whisky Bay
This spectacular walks connects three Beaches and allows you to experience the beauty of land and see of Wilsons Promontory. The track starts at the Tidal River Bridge and is a 12.4 km Grade 3 track, make sure to allow up to 4 hours return. Alternatively you can start at Squeaky Beach like we did and walk around to Picnic Bay. It is a beautiful walk overlooking the west side of Wilsons Promontory.
The park features several stunning beaches- Squeaky Beach and Whisky Bay are some of the best and are known for their crystal-clear waters and white sand. There are also several coastal walks available for visitors to explore, including the Tidal Overlook Walk and the Pillar Point Circuit.
Check out more coastal walks in Wilsons Promontory here.
Enjoy the multiple views from Picnic Bay and Whisky Bay Lookout
This lookout is a great spot to enjoy views of both these stunning Bays. To the left is Picnic Bay and to the right in Whisky Bay which are both only a short walk. If you want to take some fantastic pictures that do not require a much of a walk, then the lookout is a great option.
The lookout is located just a short 400m walk from the Picnic Bay car park. From there you can also take a path down to either Picnic Bay or Whisky Bay.
Hike up to Mount Bishop for sunset
Another beautiful spot to watch the sunset or just to enjoy the views over Wilsons Promontory is Mount Bishop. This hike doesn’t seem to get the crowds like Mount Oberon but we think its just as good.
The 7.4 km track starts at Lilly Pilly circuit car park. From there the track winds up the mountain through the forrest. It can get quite muddy on the walk so we would recommend descent sneakers or hiking shoes. Once up the top you are rewarded with magnificent views of the west coast and offshore Islands.
If you plan on going up for sunset be sure to take a head torch as the trail can be a bit rocky and muddy at some spots.
Swim at the secluded Leonard Bay- Our favourite Bay in Wilsons Promontory
Leonard Bay was our favourite bay in all of Wilsons Promontory. We found this stunning and secluded Leonard Bay while walking from Squeaky Beach to Picnic Bay. To get here you need to take the narrow bush truck through the scrubs which can be hard to see.
Once we did make it down to the beach we had the whole place to ourselves. We hiked over the big boulders to the right and found a sheltered bay with rock pools. If you do want to hike down to Leonard Bay be sure to wear good inclined shoes or hiking shoes!
In conclusion, Wilsons Promontory is a breathtakingly beautiful national park that offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the rugged coastline and diverse wildlife of southern Victoria. Whether you are looking for a challenging hike or a relaxing day at the beach, Wilsons Promontory has something to offer everyone. So, pack your bags, grab your hiking boots, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in one of Australia’s most stunning National Parks.
Want to read more about incredible road trips through Australia? Check out our Blue Mountains, Margaret River, Great Ocean Road, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Byron Bay, The Kimberley and Exmouth guides.
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