Wilsons Prom Community Newsletter
Autumn 2025

Wilsons Promontory is an Aboriginal cultural landscape. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters and will continue to work together with them to care for Country. 

This newsletter details the exciting projects about to start construction at Tidal River, provides updates on the Tidal River Footbridge repair and Sealers Cove Boardwalk replacement and celebrates that over $800,000 has been raised to establish Victoria's largest conservation sanctuary at Wilsons Promontory National Park

Feel free to share it. You can sign up to the email list here. Stay up to date with community engagement via Engage Victoria.

Construction to kick off at Tidal River over winter

This winter will be a busy time for the team at Tidal River. With fewer visitors to the Prom, we are starting construction on several projects across the park – so they are ready to open when the weather warms up later in the year.

Following awarding the supplier contract and permit approvals, works are due to start shortly on an upgrade to the Visitor Centre and surrounding precinct in Tidal River. This is part of the Prom Revitalisation Project.

During construction the Visitor Centre will move to the Tidal River Education Centre, approximately 100m west.

An artist’s impression of the renovated Tidal River Visitor Information Centre

Works are also about to start in Tidal River campground updating toilet and shower blocks. This includes providing a Changing Places facility – a toilet, shower and changing area with full disability access features such as a hoist – to increase accessibility in the park.

We are also replacing toilet blocks in the remote campsites at Sealers Cove, Refuge Cove and Little Waterloo Bay. These works are on track to start by the end of 2025.

These toilet upgrades are part of the Victoria’s Great Outdoors program, a $106.6 million investment in better campgrounds, walking trails, 4WD tracks and visitor facilities in Victoria’s parks and state forests.

There may be some minor disruptions over winter. However the construction period is planned to minimise the impacts on visitors as much as possible.

Keep an eye on the change of conditions on the Wilson Promontory National Park page. You can stay up to date with the project details via on the Prom Revitalisation Project page.

Works to begin shortly on the Tidal River Footbridge

Construction works are also planned to start on the Tidal Footbridge, which was closed late last year following engineers’ advice.

We have finalised designs addressing these safety concerns and the tender process to appoint a contractor for construction has recently closed. Pending regulatory approvals, works will begin during winter.

While the bridge is closed visitors can still access Tidal Overlook Track and other tracks. These include Three Bays Walk, Pillar Point, Squeaky Beach and Lilly Pilly Gully by driving to Lilly Pilly Gully or Squeaky Beach carparks.

Sealers Cove boardwalk update

Direct access to Sealers Cove is one step closer. The tender to replace the boardwalk has recently closed and we will appoint a contractor shortly.

This is a major and complex project. We are replacing two kilometres of boardwalk in remote and sensitive terrain. Specialists have assessed the arboriculture, ecology, cultural heritage, and hydrology along the walking track. This will protect the cultural and natural values during construction.

Pending the approval of final permits, construction will begin later in the year as the weather improves and conditions permit.

In 2021, successive storms and floods caused widespread damage across the Prom – including to the Sealers Cove Boardwalk, which connects the cove to the Tidal River visitor precinct across an otherwise impassable swamp. Its remote location and deep swamp landscape have created complex environmental and engineering challenges. The extensive planning undertaken will support the long-term sustainability of the track and help visitors enjoy this special place for many years to come.

The inaccessible location and swamp environment have created significant challenges for the project team.

Over $800,000 raised to establish Victoria's largest conservation sanctuary at Wilsons Promontory National Park

Fundraising for the Prom Sanctuary conservation project has been underway this summer with Parks Victoria working with long-term charity partner, People and Parks Foundation, to reach a matched funding target.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of so many Victorians, we have raised $800,000, including matched funding from DEECA’s Nature Fund and pledges from philanthropy.

The Prom Sanctuary is a 20-year vision to establish a climate change refuge where vulnerable wildlife and habitats thrive, at Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Weed and pest animal management supports threatened species

The control of invasive weeds and pest animals across the Prom is having positive impacts, supporting a long list of threatened species such as Southern Brown Bandicoots, Hooded Plovers and Eastern Spider Orchids.

Investment through the State Government’s Protecting Biodiversity program has enabled the team to safeguard sensitive habitats from weed invasion, over grazing and trampling by deer. It is also protecting vulnerable animals from predation by foxes and feral cats.

Protecting the Prom’s amazing biodiversity ensures that visitors can continue to enjoy the unique habitats that make the Prom one of Victoria’s much loved National Parks.

Prom Lightstation to stay open for groups over Winter

Winter is the best time of year to hike-in and stay overnight at the Wilson’s Promontory Lightstation. This year, the Lightstation is staying open through July and August for group bookings of 8 or more people.

Stay in the historic cottages overlooking Bass Straight and enjoy a hot shower after the 20km hike-in.

There have already been some whale sightings this season, so don't forget your binoculars.

Grab your friends, book a trip and unwind in one of Victoria’s most spectacular spots.

The Prom Lightstation is the southernmost accommodation on the Australian mainland.

Park closed for 5 days in August

Wilsons Promontory National Park will be closed to all park visitors from 5pm Sunday 17 August to 8am Friday 22 August 2025 to undertake essential park management and conservation programs.

Stay up to date

Learn more about what's going on at the Prom at parks.vic.gov.au/projects, register for email updates, get in touch at engage@parks.vic.gov.au or call 13 1963.