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Tidal River Campground
Tidal River is the main visitor hub for Wilsons Promontory National Park. This picturesque spot offers a range of accommodations options to make the most of one of Victoria's favourite National Parks.
With 484 camping and caravan sites, this is the most popular and well-equipped camping ground in Wilsons Prom and is the perfect base to enjoy scenic walks, swim, surf or relax at your campsite. Tidal River Campground has a range of beautiful sites - choose between a campsite nestled in the tea trees for a short walk to the sandy shores of Norman Beach or a family-friendly site closer to the calm waters of Tidal River.
If you're interested in spending time at Tidal River, but would prefer the comfort of a cabin or lodge, check out our Tidal River Accommodation.
As beaches and coasts are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Tidal River is a safe and enjoyable one.
Things to do in the area
Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit Overnight Hikes
Mount Oberon
Day walks at the Prom
Norman Beach
Squeaky Beach
Whisky Bay
Tidal River Visitor Centre
How to get there
Tidal River Campground
Wilsons Promontory is a three-hour drive from Melbourne. Follow Monash Freeway (M1) to join South Gippsland Freeway (M420/A440) to Meeniyan. Take the Meeniyan‐ Promontory Road (C444) to the Wilsons Promontory entrance.
Tidal River is a further 30 minutes drive from the entrance. Please drive carefully and look out for wildlife. Avoid driving between dusk and dawn. There is no fuel at Tidal River with the closest fuel supplies are at Yanakie, Fish Creek and Foster.
When you're there
The Tidal River General Store stocks basic supermarket items, as well as ice, a range of souvenirs and camping gear. It also offers takeaway food and drinks. The store is open 7 days a week (9am to 5pm) and is closed Christmas Day with reduced opening hours on Boxing Day (9am to 2pm).
A free shuttle bus operates between Tidal River and Telegraph Saddle during the summer and Easter holidays and on weekends from November to April. Departure points include the Tidal River Visitor Centre carpark, the overnight hikers carpark (Tidal River) and Telegraph Saddle carpark. Telegraph Saddle carpark is closed to vehicle access when the shuttle bus is in operation.
Help us care for the park:
- No dogs, cats, or other pets allowed
- No fires permitted including solid fuel heating compounds for BBQs are not permitted at any time during the year
- No drones or Remotely Piloted Aircraft
- No firearms allowed
- No generators
Peak season bookings
Most campgrounds can be booked online in advance, however, peak season periods (including Labour Day, Easter and summer school holidays) can be particularly popular and fill quickly with bookings accepted on a first in, first served basis. See further information about peak season bookings.
Need to know
Tidal River Campground
Preparing for a busy summer
The Prom gets extremely busy over summer. For both visitor safety and your enjoyment, there is a limit to the number of vehicles that can be in the park. On busy summer days it can be challenging to park and safely move around popular sites like Tidal River and Squeaky Beach as cars and pedestrians often share the same roads.
If you are visiting the Prom this summer, please:
- consider visiting the Prom during on a weekday if you can
- carpool to and within the Prom to reduce congestion issues
- you may have to wait in your car, please bring food and water
- arrive before 10am and be prepared for crowds
- check the Prom webpage before you travel for the latest conditions
- only bring a maximum of two vehicles per site with your camping booking – this will be monitored and enforced
- support the park team by leaving the park when you check-out to allow space for new campers and visitors
Accessibility
A motorised TrailRider and a range of beach wheelchairs are available for free hire from the Tidal River Visitor Centre. They allow people with significant physical disabilities or mobility limitations to explore the great outdoors at Wilsons Promontory National Park.
These all terrain wheelchairs are designed for different abilities and are available for both adults and children. The chairs are suited for sandy and semi-rough tracks where conventional wheelchairs cannot go. Contact the Tidal River Visitor Centre on (03) 8427 2122 for booking enquiries.
Safety in Nature
To ensure that you and your companions stay safe, always remember that the natural environment can be unpredictable. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.
Be prepared and stay safe
Wilsons Promontory National Park is in the South and West Gippsland fire district. Bushfires can occur during the warmer months. It is your responsibility to check current and forecast weather conditions.
Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226.
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.
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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
The Sealers Cove Walking Track is currently closed
The Sealers Cove Walking Track is currently closed due to storm and flood damage.Funding has been secured to rebuild the two kilometres boardwalk, with a start/finish timeline for the project to be established shortly.Until then, access to Sealers Cove is only achievable via Refuge Cove, which is a 25km hike from Telegraph Saddle.Stockyard Campground & Toilet Block Closed
Stockyard campground and toilet block are closed until further notice.Tidal River water supply this summer 2023/24
This summer of 2023/24, the water storage (in tanks) at Tidal River is reduced compared with previous years. It means that while Parks Victoria repair the water storage, the system overall has less capacity.To help the system cope this summer, Parks Victoria is asking all visitors to help save water and reduce their water use during their stay.You can help by:• Filling up your caravan water tanks before arrival.• Taking shorter showers – 4 minutes or Iess.• Turning off taps when brushing teeth.• Using less water to wash dishes – use a tub.• Taking your laundry home for shorter stays.• Using a caravan dump point outside of the Prom for caravan waste.• Reporting leaks and running toilets to the Visitor Centre.Did you know?Tidal River Campground is ‘off-grid’. This means that all water and electricity come from inside the Prom. For water, the supply starts with water being drawn from the Tidal River catchment. It is then treated to a drinking water standard, stored in a series of tanks, and distributed around the campground for visitors to enjoy.Thanks for your cooperation.Attachments: FinaI TidaI River Fact Sheet Water SuppIy (301KB)
Change to Tidal River General Store opening hours
Tidal River General Store opening hours from 29 January to 1 April 2024:
Monday - Thursday: 9.00 am - 5.00 pmFriday: 9.00 am - 7.30 pmSaturday: Coffee window (only) from 7.30 am, Store open 9.00 am - 7.30 pmSunday: Coffee window (only) from 7.30 am, Store open 9.00 am - 5.00 pm -
Wilsons Promontory National Park
Wilsons Promontory National Park - Invasive Species Control Programs
Introduced species such as deer, rabbits, foxes and feral cats are all major threats to nature. Wilsons Promontory National Park is working towards pest free nature.Targeted invasive species control programs will be in place within Wilsons Promontory National Park between June 2023 - June 2025.Some access restrictions may apply. Please observe local signage.Park Closure - Sunday 4th August, 5pm to Friday 9th August, 8am 2024
Wilsons Promontory National Park will be closed between 5pm Sunday 4th August and 8am Friday 9th August 2024 to undertake park management and conservation programs.