Explore the white sands and turquoise waters with this guide to beaches at Wilsons Promontory National Park.
Wilsons Promontory National Park is located at the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. It has many walking trails that you can explore to take in magnificent views and discover local wildlife. Then of course – there are the beaches.
The Prom, as locals call it, famous for its many pristine beaches. From Squeaky Beach with its white quartz sand, to the remote beach campsites at Sealers Cove and Refuge Bay. There is no shortage of open stretches of sand and waves lapping the shore. A walk along the coastal trails gives you wonderful panoramic views of the beaches and offshore islands.
A day trip from Melbourne lets you discover some of these beaches, as well as the magnificent ocean views Wilsons Prom is famous for. Our one day tour lets you visit the Prom with your tour guide showing you the best locations.
We’ll explore the beaches, walking trails and see some of the native animals. Wombats, kangaroos and emus are just some of the wildlife to be found – along with many native Australian birds.
Where is the Wilsons Promontory National Park?
Wilsons Promontory National Park is located south east of Melbourne in the Gippsland region. It is approximately 2.5 hours drive from the city through some beautiful rural areas.
Visit Wilsons Promontory National Park on our day tour from Melbourne. Walk along the coastal trails and take in the magnificent views. Discover the local wildlife, and explore the incredible Squeaky Beach. Its a chance to break away from the crowds and explore a lesser-known national park.
The Best Beaches at Wilsons Promontory
SQUEAKY BEACH
The most famous of Wilsons Promontory’s beaches, Squeaky Beach gets its name from the noise your feet make as you walk along the sand. The fine, rounded grains of quartz sand compress under your feet and hence the beach got its name. A visit to Squeaky Beach lets you view the turquoise waters and large granite boulders at the each end of this iconic beach.
WHISKY BAY
Whiskey Bay can be visited via a coastal walk from Squeaky Beach. Therefore, if you are staying at Wilsons Promontory, you might like to visit this secluded beach. It has colourful rocky outcrops, pristine sand and is a great place to take a dip in the Southern Ocean. It’s also a great spot at sunset as you can watch the sun set into the ocean.
NORMAN BEACH
If you camp overnight at the Tidal River campground, you’ll no doubt want to pay a visit to Norman Beach. The very long stretch of sand is great for a stroll, swim or even a surf. In addition you can connect Norman Beach to Squeaky Beach and Whiskey Bay via a coastal trail.
SEALERS COVE
The walk to Sealers Cove is one of the most popular overnight hikes in the Wilsons Promontory National Park. The 10km hike to get there is rewarded with a stunning beach and campsite in which to spend the night. The picturesque, circular cove is surrounded by forest, and with a stunning view out across the water.
REFUGE COVE
Refuge Cove is a stunning, secluded beach on the eastern side of the Wilsons Promontory. It is only accessible by walking track from Sealers Cove in the north or from Little Waterloo Bay in the south. There is a small camping area which only allows 12 people per night, meaning you will enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this gorgeous beach.
LITTLE WATERLOO BAY
Little Waterloo Bay is a beach that is only accessible by foot via the overnight hike track from Tidal River. Upon arriving at the beach you will be amazed by the white sandy beach and crystal blue water. The southern half of Waterloo Bay contains two white quartz sand beaches separated by a small granite headland. However, it is common to have these beaches all to yourself, with only a few other campers nearby.
Why you should visit Wilsons Promontory National Park
Wilsons Promontory is often referred to as Australia’s best-kept secret. The national park at the southernmost tip of mainland Australia is the place to walk remote coastal bushland trails and swim at pristine beaches dominated by granite boulders. The Prom is a truly unique and unspoilt region, characterised by its pristine beaches and untouched wilderness. Therefore is it a place where you can really connect with nature!
Other attractions in the Wilsons Promontory National Park
Tidal River to Squeaky Beach Coastal Trail
One of the most scenic walks from Tidal River is the track to Squeaky Beach. This trail can be walked in either direction, starting at either Squeaky Beach or Tidal River.
Mountain Summits with Panoramic Views
Wilsons Promontory’s mountains offer fantastic views of the coastline and offshore islands. However, the journey to the lookout points is just as exciting as the views themselves.
Native Australian Wildlife
Wilson Promontory is home to many native Australian animals. The most famous is the wombats. These nocturnal animals burrow into the ground and sleep there during the day. But they can often be seen out and feeding in the late afternoon.
Highlights of our Wilsons Promontory Day Tour from Melbourne:
- Spot native wildlife like kangaroos, wombats, and emus
- Hear the sand squeak beneath your feet on Squeaky Beach
- Take the coastal walk to Tidal River
- Join a guided walk to the summit of Mount Bishop for stunning coastal views
When do Wilsons Promontory tours run?
Our Wilsons Promontory National Park tours will recommence in December 2022. The tours are currently bookable via our website.
With 22 years in business, Go West Tours is still a family-owned and operated tour business and we are as committed to providing guests with an unforgettable experience as we were back in 2000. We are the most highly-awarded tour operator in Melbourne and we guarantee to provide you with an experience that is memorable for all the right reasons.
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au