Top 10 Things to do at Wilsons Promontory

More than 400,000 visitors each year can’t be wrong: Wilson’s Promontory National Park, on Victoria’s south-east coast, is something very special. Victoria’s oldest national park, encompassing 50,000 hectares of land the southernmost tip of mainland Australia, has pristine beaches, carefully preserved forests and a range of accommodation options.

If you’re lucky enough to secure yourself a stay at ‘the Prom’ (school holidays are balloted a year in advance…), Hannah Foster has you covered with the top ten things to do at this much-loved piece of hiking and holidaying heaven.

1. Walk to historic Sealers Cove

This 19-kilometre (return) walk takes you through mountains, temperate rainforest and ultimately to one of the Prom’s most beautiful, sheltered and secluded beaches. It’s a huge improvement on what Sealer’s Cove was used for a hundred years ago, when it was the site of significant sealing and whaling activity and later, timber logging. Note: Access to Sealers Cove is only possible via a 25 kilometre hike from Telegraph Saddle.

Hiking trail in Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria, Australia.

2. Overnight lighthouse stay

Wilsons Promontory Lightstation is super remote, accessible only by sea or a day-long hike from Tidal River or Telegraph Saddle car park. Hikers can stay overnight in one of three of the lighthouse’s cottages. For romantics, the Banks Cottage has a queen bed, private bathroom and uninterrupted views out over Bass Strait.

3. Glamping luxury at Tidal River

The Prom’s latest accommodation option, these safari-style large permanent tents are situated in a quiet part of Tidal River and are the ultimate in glamping, with timber floors, a queen bed and a communal kitchen for Wilderness Retreat guests.

4. See black swans and the world’s southern-most mangroves

The northern part of the Prom doesn’t get nearly as many visitors, but Miller’s Landing, near the park entrance, is an easy walk with the chance to see flora and fauna you wouldn’t normally associate with the Prom, including large flocks of black swans.

5. Refuge Cove

An abundance of wildlife calls Refuge Cove its home, with waters in the region that supports dolphins, sharks, seals and migrating whales as well as a rich diversity of bird life, including albatross, shearwater, fairy prions, little penguins and white-bellied sea eagles. We are lucky that departures are daily and you will also enjoy a lunch on board of Wildlife Coast Cruises .

Refuge Cove from above, Wilson Promontory National Park

6. Eat hot chips on Norman Bay beach

Why? Because it’s hot chips. On the beach. And because Norman Bay is a wide, white, postcard-ready beach with decent surf at one end and a kid-friendly tidal river at the other.

7. Wildlife spotting, Loo Errn Boardwalk track

Spotting native animals out in the wild never gets tiring. Around the Loo Errn you’ll most likely see wombats, but also look out for various types of wallabies, echidnas, native swap rats, several types of tiny marsupials and native birds. Pro tip: No matter how cute, never interfere with the wildlife or try to feed them your food, it’s dangerous for you and for them.

8. Watch the sun set from the top of Mt Oberon

The hike up this mountain is worth it for the view at any time of day, but seeing the sun set over the ocean, casting pink to golden light across Tidal River below, is something very special.
Pro tip: Once the sun goes down it gets very dark very quickly, so take a good torch with you for the walk back down the mountain.

Wilsons promontory national park view from Mount Oberon

9. Attend a ranger talk at the Visitor Centre

Parks Victoria offers a great schedule of academic speakers and kids activities that you can attend while at the Prom. With a long and complex history and amazing biodiversity, there’s a lot to learn. Plus, it’s a good alternative to your tent on a rainy day!

10. Take a cruise around the Prom’s coastline

Much of the water around the Prom is a marine national park, with seabird colonies, fur seals, leatherback turtles and visiting whales. Full day cruises around the Prom’s coastline are a way to see this unique destination from a different perspective.

Planning a big trip? Check out our handy destination guide full of tips on where to eat, stay and play in Gippsland…

Those dreaming of a river escape that’s less rush and more rest will discover the perfect getaway in Echuca Moama.

Best known for summer river holidays, Echuca Moama dishes up extraordinary options for those craving good food, experiences and culture. Discover how best to spend your getaway in this gorgeous river town.

1. Find unique stays in Echuca Moama

Goolwa River Retreat villas — Bathe under the stars at Goolwa River Retreat.

An adventure here starts with the perfect place to stay. Echuca Moama is famous for its luxury houseboats. Be spoilt for choice with amenities like spas, chef’s kitchens and en-suites onboard Murray River Houseboats and Echuca Luxury Houseboats .

For those who prefer to stay on dry land to sleep, there’s no shortage of accommodation options to suit every taste and budget. The villas at Goolwa River Retreat offer spectacular views of the Murray Riverfront, cosy evenings by the fire pit. And, a truly unique and luxurious experience: bathing under the stars in an outdoor bathtub.

Families travelling with young kids will appreciate the fully self-contained cabins, which sleep up to six, at NRMA Echuca Holiday Park . Complete with BBQ facilities and a kids’ playground, Echuca Holiday Park is the perfect base for families exploring the Echuca Moama region.

More adventurous guests can experience off-grid serenity at Carriages Water Front Retreat , where they can slumber among the redgums in a lovingly converted vintage train carriage.

If you prefer a more central place to stay, the Mercure Port of Echuca is located just five minutes from the Port of Echuca on foot and offers comfortable rooms, as well as easy access to all the region has to offer.

2. Explore the Murray River

PaddlesteamerS on the Murray River — Jump aboard one of Echuca Moama’s famous paddlesteamers.

A trip to Echuca Moama isn’t complete without seeing the Murray River. Take in views from the water, with Murray River Paddlesteamers and Echuca Paddlesteamers . Or combine sightseeing with lunch at a local winery or brewery on a Wharf to Winery or Port to Plate cruise .

Those who prefer an active holiday can hire a stand-up paddleboard with Echuca SUP to explore the river. Duck under the historic Echuca Moama Bridge and listen out for local wildlife. At the end of your paddleboarding trip, you’ll find a shuttle service to return you to the car park.

Kayaking is another great option if you like to combine seeing the sights with a full-body workout. Hire a kayak from River Country Adventours , or join a river safari for a guided experience.

3. Go hiking and biking in Echuca Moama

two bikers riding on the 19-kilometre Waranga Rail Trail — Peddle along the 19-kilometre Waranga Rail Trail.

On foot or by bike, there are plenty of trails to explore the region. Embark on a guided e-bike tour with Green Pedal (or hire an e-bike and go it alone) to explore the 19-kilometre Waranga Rail Trail . Traverse through beautiful bushland and the scenic Waranga Basin. Bakeries and picnic areas in the historic town of Rushworth provide the perfect place for refreshments.

Day trip to the lookout at Whroo Forest, near the now-abandoned Whroo township, located on historic Balaclava Hill. The Hill was once the site of Victoria’s largest open-cut gold mine and home to a thriving town. Today, the area offers picturesque walking tracks and picnic sites.

4. Taste Echuca Moama’s best dining options

lobster dish on the table at opa in echuca moama — Taste delicious, authentic Greek at Opa. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Whether you like a candlelit dinner or a coffee in the sunshine, Echuca Moama is ready to delight your taste buds.

Pop into Opa for authentic Greek fare with views of the town from its upstairs balcony. Enjoy seasonal produce at The Mill , offering everything from global street food and share plates to classic dinner and dessert options inside a historic building.

Discover a local secret at Monkee and Co , a relaxed Asian-fusion restaurant serving up classics like Banh Mi and dumplings.

Start the day with excellent coffee and waterfront views at the family-run Watson St Pavilion .

5. Drink at Echuca Moama’s best bars

two people drinking cockatails at paradise bar in echuca moama — Cheers to neon at Paradise Bar.

Top-notch tipples can be found at Paradise Bar , a new cocktail bar serving up handcrafted cocktails to delight the taste buds in the heart of Echuca. The menu features classics like mojitos, margs, and spritzers. As well as Paradise’s own creations featuring funky ingredients like bubble gum syrup and an Old Fashioned with truffle oil.

Bar Lee at the Echuca Distillery is the place to go to watch the sun go down at the rooftop bar, taste Echuca’s locally made spirits and nibble your way through an exceptional selection of share plates.

For river views, excellent service and a more than extensive wine menu, head to Social Wine Bar . You’ll find a laid-back atmosphere in the riverfront beer garden that sprawls out under an ancient pine tree and a cosy interior perfect for hiding away on a cool evening.

6. Follow local art trails

Jump in the car and follow the Silo Art Trail.

The region’s silos have been transformed into impressive, towering canvases depicting local fauna, Echuca’s historical links to industry and the building of the local railroad. Follow the Silo Art Trail by car, which takes between three and four hours.

Rochester Mural Park is home to an annual lineup of changing murals, while the Rochester Mural Festival showcases established and emerging artists.

7. Dive into local history

Echuca Port Museum and Penny Tourism — See the historic Port of Echuca.

The Echuca Moama region is bursting with history. Among its historical treasures is the Port of Echuca . Interactive displays showcase the port’s importance to historical trade along the river, industrial sites like the Evans Brothers Sawmill and the Port of Echuca railway station with its very own heritage steam train.

The displays pay homage to the site’s significance to the local Yorta Yorta People and their ancestral connection to the land where the Murray, Campaspe and Goulburn Rivers meet.

Explore the port independently or join a guided tour to learn from Echuca’s history buffs.

Learn more and start planning the perfect holiday to Echuca Moama at visitechucamoama.com.au.

10 most memorable things to do at Wilsons Promontory