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Wilsons Promontory [1] or "the Prom" as it is known, is the southernmost point of the Australian mainland, located in the South Gippsland region of the state of Victoria. The Prom is protected as the 50,000 hectare Wilsons Promontory National Park and the seas around the southern end are the Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park. There is another, smaller marine national park in the northern area. The park contains 130 km of walking trails and a number of campsites. The hub of the park is Tidal River where there is a store, visitor center and camping.

[edit] Understand

[edit] History

[edit] Landscape

[edit] Flora and fauna

[edit] Climate

[edit] Get in

The Prom is approached along the South Gippsland Highway, turning off at either Meeniyan or Foster. The park entrance is 224 km from Melbourne and 29 km from Foster. It is another 30 km from the entrance to the park center at Tidal Creek.

If you don’t have your own transport, you can take an organised tour from Melbourne or Phillip Island or take the bus from Foster run by Foster Backpackers Hostel.

[edit] Fees/Permits

Entry to the park for a car is $10.20 (Summer 2008/2009) for 1 day. The sign at the entrance says that a day pass entitles you to be in the park from sunrise to sunset. However no-one is at the exit after sunset checking that people are not leaving too late but with the permit stuck on the inside of your windscreen, clearly showing the time of expiry a quick check by staff might cost you.

[edit] Get around

Between dusk and dawn, drive carefully and slowly. Kangaroos and other wildlife will be on the road.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

• Bush camping. There are 6 camp areas in the southern area and all have toilets and a seasonal water supply. The northern area is a declared "Wilderness Area". It has 5 camp areas but toilets are generally not available. There are no camp areas in the central area. Permits are required for overnight hikes and can be booked in advance or on arrival at the park entrance or at the visitor center at Tidal Creek.

• Hiking. There are a number of short walks, day hikes and multi-day overnight hikes. Fit walkers can make a full-day return hike from Telegraph Saddle to either the lighthouse at South East Point or to South Point.

• Fishing is permitted in some areas. A recreational fishing license is required. No fishing is permitted in the marine national parks. In some areas line fishing only is permitted.

• Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving. Some of the best scuba diving in Victoria is in the marine parks of Wilsons Promontory - deep, clear and full of interesting marine life. The Prom is also popular for snorkeling.
• Wildlife Coast Cruises, Port Welshpool, ☎ 1300 763 739, [2]. A four hour cruise along the northern coast with breathtaking scenery along the sheltered side of the Prom. During June there are regular whale sightings of Humpback and Southern Right Whales during the cruise. Adults $78.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

The Tidal River Store sells food and other consumables, petrol, diesel and gas bottle refills.

[edit][add listing] Eat

The Tidal River Store sells food supplies at rip off prices =D and has a café with takeaways. There are free gas barbecues in car parks at Tidal River.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Lodging

• Bear Gully Coastal Cottages in Cape Liptrap - We have 4 completely self-contained cottages with 1 and 2 bedrooms. The grounds are spacious making it ideal for couples on romantic getaways as well family holidays. In fact, we are very popular with family reunions and 'Girls Getaways'. Each cottage has been designed for comfort and privacy, and to maximise views of the magnificent and ever changing colours of Wilson's Promontory, and the beautiful Waratah Bay. Bear Gully is a very easy 2 ½ hour drive from Melbourne. Nestled into the South Gippsland coast between Walkerville South and Cape Liptrap Lighthouse. Our Cottages all have direct beach access with ocean views of Waratah Bay to Wilson’s Promontory and the islands of the Glennie and Anser Groups. Please visit our website for more details at http://www.beargullycottages.com.au or Phone +61 3 5663 2364 | Location: 33 Maitland Court, Cape Liptrap VIC 3956

[edit] South East Point

Cottages at the lighthouse have shared bedrooms with 2 or 4 bunks. http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1process_details.cfm?place=109

[edit] Camping

[edit] Tidal River

There are 480 unpowered campsites and toilets, showers and laundry facilities. Bookings are essential for Christmas and January holidays and popular long weekends.

There are self-contained cabins and huts with 2-6 beds and large group lodges.

[edit] Backcountry

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Get out

Go out the way you came in. If leaving the Tidal River area soon before sunset on a nice evening, stop at the Whisky Bay carpark, take the short walk to the beach to sit on the dunes and watch the sun set behind Norman Island (actual position of setting sun varies with time of year).