Tidal River Camping Guide | Everything You Need To Know

When you are already sick from the bustling city life, take a break and unwind at the Tidal River Campground in Wilsons Promontory National Park. Spend time with your family in one of Victoria’s best-loved national parks where you’re surrounded with scenic nature and wildlife.

So, why should you go to this place? Tidal River Campground is a popular and well-equipped camping site in Wilsons Promontory. It is perfect for long walks, swimming, surfing, canoeing, kayaking and or just relaxing at your campsite.

Here is an overview of the campgrounds in Tidal River:

Tidal River Campground
The Stockyards Campground

Other Accommodations Options (Wilderness Retreats, Cabins, Hut, and etc.)

If Tidal River Campground has piqued your interest, read this article before you go!

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How Do I Get To The Tidal River Campground?

Tidal River Campground is a three and a half-hour drive from Melbourne. Follow this route to get there:

Follow the Monash Freeway (M1) to connect to South Gippsland Freeway (M420/A440) to get to Meeniyan.
Drive through the Meeniyan-Promontory Road (C444) to get to the Wilsons Promontory entrance.
The Tidal River Campground is just a 30-minute drive from the Wilsons Promontory entrance.

When you are already near, please drive carefully and watch out for wildlife since there is a ton of wildlife to be seen in this area. Please also avoid driving between dusk and dawn. Also, note that there is no fuel at the Tidal River Campground. The nearest fuel supplies are at Yanakie, Fish Creek and Foster. So, stock up on fuel before going so you won’t have any problems.

What Do I Need To Know About Tidal River Campground?

Opening Hours

The Wilsons Promontory is open every day including, weekends and public holidays. The Visitor Center is open 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM AEST or 8:30 AM to 4:30 AM AEDST. There is a general store which has necessary supermarket items as well as souvenirs and camping gears.

Booking

You should book in advance, to book your camping or accommodation, go to www.parks.vic.gov.au/stay or call 13 1963. At the time of booking full fees are required. All the payments and bookings are non-transferable. Guests are advised to make their travel insurance arrangements since Parks Victoria does not take responsibility for any damage or loss of property during your stay.

Christmas Ballot – For the Peak Christmas holiday season, the accommodation and camping at Tidal River Campground are allocated using a ballot system as to be fair for all the visitors. The applications are open between July 1 and July 15.

Long Weekends – For Labor Day, Easter and Melbourne Cup long weekends, booking is advisable. For Labor Day and Easter applications open at February 1, and Melbourne Cup weekend the applications open at September 1.

How Are the Campgrounds at Tidal River?

While you are at the area, you can choose among these campgrounds if you want to stay for a few days:

Tidal River Campground

At the Tidal River Campground, there are 484 campsites available. Twenty sites are powered. The highest number of people per site is six, including children. The campground facilities include modern amenity blocks with toilets and hot showers, laundry facilities, dishwashing stations and picnic areas with free use of gas barbecues.

There is also a dump point available at the Overnight Hikers car park. The camping equipment, vehicles, trailers and boats must be parked at your respective campsites and must not block the road access or damage the vegetation. Petrol and diesel must not be stored in campsites and must be placed at the Fuel lockers located at the Tidal River, and the keys are available from the Visitor Center.

The Stockyards Campground

Here, twenty unpowered campsites are available for a maximum of six people. There are toilet and shower facilities, rubbish bins, picnic tables, and a rotunda. The showers and rotunda are for use by camping permit holders only. The camping equipment, vehicles, trailers and boats must be parked at your respective campsites and must not block the road access or damage the vegetation.

Other Options for Accommodation

Wilderness Retreats – These are safari-style tents located at the corner of Tidal River
which cater for couples, but can accommodate three people. (Queen bed and single trundle)
Cabins – These can fit up to six people with a queen-sized bed in one room and two bunk beds in the other. Aside from a bedroom, there is also a spacious living area filled with natural light and a timber deck outside.

Units – These are one-bedroom units with a spacious living area and a sun deck which can house two people in either a queen bed or two single beds. There are adjoining units which can be linked up to accommodate four people. Also, shared barbecues are provided.
Huts – Can accommodate four to six people in bunk beds. Guests here can make use of the nearby campground amenities.
Group Lodges – These are perfect for people with large groups like for schools, family groups, clubs and tours. Can accommodate 12, 24 or 30 persons in dorm rooms with bunk beds. Barbecues are provided. Some amenities are also modified to allow access for visitors with mobility impairment.

All Abilities Accommodation – For people with mobility impairment, Wirilda and She-Oak Cabins are perfect. These cabins include ramp access, electric high-low beds and accessible bathrooms. The Domain Unit also has ramp access, a fully accessible kitchen and bathroom. A personal elevator, shower, commode chairs are available on request free of charge.
Wilsons Promontory Light Station – This is for the overnight hikes at the Wilsons Prom. The Light Station can only be reached by foot and is a minimum of 19.1km one way. The 5-6 hour walk to here is challenging and must require a high level of fitness.

If you want to know more about the campgrounds in the area, you can visit their website.

Where Can I Take A Bushwalk in Tidal River Campground?

There are a bunch of things to do at Tidal River Campground, here is a list of some things to do in

the area:

Iconic hike to Mount Oberon

Trek to the peak of Mount Oberon overlooking the Tidal River and giving you a 360-degree panorama view of Wilsons Promontory. Mount Oberon gives one of the best aspects of Victoria. Be amazed at the unparalleled view of the Promontory’s picturesque landscape. Standing at 558m high, at Mount Oberon, you can see the bays on Wilsons Promontory’s western coast; Norman Bay, Leonard Bay, Picnic Bay, Whisky Bay and Little Oberon Bay. The trek starts at the Telegraph Saddle Carpark, the road steadily inclines as you make your way up through the mountain. As you go closer to the peak, there is a steep climb which will lead you to a rocky summit.

Day walks at Wilsons Promontory

There is a walk to suit everyone here at Wilsons Promontory since there is a range of different tracks to pick from for all ages and fitness levels. From family-friendly nature walks to more challenging hikes for various people. You can also walk through pristine beaches, rainforests, dunes and many more. You should note that you need to plan carefully to ensure you’ll have enough daylight to complete these walks. Also, you should watch out for wildlife such as wallabies and emus as you walk through these tracks.

Still, there are a lot of trails that you can explore in the area. Here is a list of some of them:

Pilly Gully Nature Walk
Lilly Pilly Gully Circuit Walk

Mount Bishop Walk
Lilly Pilly Link Walk
Norman Beach, Tidal Overlook, Squeaky Beach, Picnic Bay, Whisky Bay

Darby River to Tongue Point
Darby Saddle to Tongue Point
Darby River, Fairy Cove, Tongue Point, Darby Saddle

Mount Oberon Summit
Sealers Cove

What Are The Other Things That I Can Do At Tidal River Campground?

There are a bunch of things that you can do at Johanna Beach Campground here are some of the things that you can do or visit at the area:

Norman Beach
Squeaky Beach
Bishop Peak

Mount Oberon
Pillar Point
Leonard Bay

Whisky Bay
Mount Ramsay
La Trobe Range

What Is The Best Time To Go To Tidal River Campground?

The weather in Wilsons Prom varies greatly in Autumn (as it does everywhere along the Victorian coastline at this time of year). Average early April weather would be high teens to low twenties.

So, maybe you should think about avoiding the school holidays and Easter though as Wilsons Prom will be very busy. You will certainly enjoy it more when there are fewer people there.

What Do Other Tourists Say About Tidal River Campground?

“This is a fantastic destination to relax and absorb the positive vibes brought by nature. Plenty of room offseason with a selection of sites. The wildlife, including friendly wombats and birds, are at your doorstep. Also, a great base to wander off into some of the most wonderful wilderness Australia has to offer. A fantastic Information Centre, general store and dine in or takeaway cafe.” -Ron W (via TripAdvisor)