Why You Will Love A Road Trip To Wilsons Promontory

There are many easy day trips from Melbourne. One road trip that you must do is the Melbourn to Wilsons Prom. It is one of the favourites among the locals. I suggest going to Wilsons Promontory for a few days, but you can also do it as a day trip from Melbourne. I’ve been to this beautiful national park a few times and fell in love with the place. Here below are my tips on  a road trip to the Wilsons Promontory.

How to get from Melbourne to Wilsons Prom

The easiest way to get to the Wilson Prom is to hire a car in Melbourne and head East on the Dandenong Ranges highway. On this route, you will drive through the beautiful countryside to reach Cranbourne, one of central South Gippsland’s towns.

To hire a car or campervan, we recommend the website below:

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The best places to visit near Wilsons Promontory

On your way to the Wilsons Prom, there are exciting places to visit and worth a stop. I suggest planning at least 4 hours for the drive from Melbourne CBD. Here are my picks for the best small towns in the southeast regions of Victoria.

Small Towns near Wilsons Promontory

You can stop in Cranbourne for a short visit if you want, but if you are more into nature, you can drive south to Tooradin, a lovely fishing village, an accessible location for fishing in Victoria. Take a stroll along its peaceful inlets to breathe the fresh ocean air. Keep driving until you get to Loch, where you can walk along the wooden bridge.

The next stop is Koramburra, a hub for South Gippsland’s attractions. A former colonial township with a rich coal heritage. The town is also famous for its stunning murals. Take a stroll along the main road to browse through its quirky shops.

Koramburra is also famous for its Coal Creek Community Park and Museum. Just a short drive from town, you can walk through the well-maintained old village that showcases its glamorous mining heritage through the old railway, buildings, and lakes.

I couldn’t believe it; it nearly took me an hour to visit it all, but it was worth a stop. Coal Creek has no entry fee, but a free offer is welcome to help out the local community’s great work.

You keep driving to Leongatha and further south to Meeniyan, a small village with a historic hotel. From there, you soon reach Foster, the last township, approx. 60 km before getting to the Wilsons Promontory. There are shops there where you can buy food.

Do your shopping in Foster cause there is only a small grocery shop at the Tidal River Visitor Centre with a limited offer.

When in Foster, follow the road down to Yanakie and from there to Tidal River, where you can park your car and start your walks or check in your accommodation.

How to get to Wilson Prom from Melbourne by public transportation

There is also a bus from Melbourne to Wilsons Promontory. It takes you through the same driving route, you may have to change in Koo-Wee-Rup, but this bus connection is excellent. I went by bus from Foster back to Melbourne, and it’s a high-speed service, and it costs only 23 dollars.

I paid 16 dollars for the Dandenong Ranges. The only downside is that there is no local bus service to the Wilsons Promontory National Park once you get to Foster.

So hiring a car is the most convenient way of exploring this area. Going on a tour is probably the best option if you don’t want to drive. Most trips are day tours, though; if you’re going to go on a Wilson’s Promontory Tour.

Alternative routes for the Wilsons Prom Itinerary

There are alternative driving routes to get to Wilsons Promontory National Park. On my first solo road trip, I went from Melbourne to Phillip Island, and from there, I drove to the Prom. Cowes’ drive to Yanakie takes you to Australia’s most southerly point through stretches of green countryside to Wonthaggi.

From there, it is worth taking a 20 km detour along the coastal drive on the Bunurong Road, further south onto the Cape Peterson Road to Inverloch, the biggest town in the area.

The drive is comfortable and relaxed and offers spectacular ocean views, with many outlooks and staircases to the beach.

You will not need a GPS navigator; you can use Google Maps or download an app to organise your drive. The distance from Melbourne is 230 kilometres, which means approx. Three hours with no stops but plan between 4 and 5 hours to see all the places.

Here is a small map of this driving route from Melbourne to Wilsons Prom.

Wilsons Promontory Accommodation

If you plan to stay overnight, the best option is to camp or book a cabin. Wilsons Prom and Tidal river offer varied options ranging from luxury cabins to modest lodges with shared bathroom facilities, to basic camping to glamping facilities.

If camping is not your thing, you need to book your accommodation near Wilsons Prom. Yanakie is the nearest place, and it offers cottages, lodges and also private accommodation like Airbnb.

I stayed in this beautiful cottage in Yanakie, with a fantastic view:  

➡️ Check the latest prices here.

As for Wilsons Promontory accommodation, you will have to make a choice. If you want to stay centrally located, you are probably better off booking the Wilsons Prom Cabins. If you love camping, Tidal River is the place.

Wilsons Prom gets very busy during summer and school holidays, so if you don’t book months ahead, you are bound to stay somewhere else in Yanakie, Foster or even further away. So make sure that you book your trip well in advance.

For all accommodation options, check out the The Prom National Parks website. It is the only site I’d use if you are looking for a cabin or a camping experience.

What to do at Wilsons Prom

The main reason why people travel to the Prom is to walk and see wildlife. No other national park beats the Wilsons Promontory’s beauty, in my experience, regarding wildlife encounters and the walking trails. It’s one of those places where you can keep repeatedly going without getting tired.

Wilsons Promontory Wildlife

It’s rare to see many native animals in the wild, like in the Wilsons Prom. The abundance is genuinely stunning, from lorikeets, blue wren, and many more birds that welcome you every morning to wombats that stroll undisturbed near your cabin to wild kangaroos that graze in the open expanses; it’s a treat that you get at the Prom and one of the best places for seeing Kangaroos and Wombats.

Wilsons Promontory Day Walks

Over 20 walking tracks range from easy, short, and long walks to multi-day and overnight hikes. Tidal River is the main campsite at Wilson Promontory. Yanakie is a 30km drive from the Tidal River Visitor Centre.

You will have to make hard choices if you only have one day. In 24 hours, I did 15 km of walks from the Corner Inlet Marine Park to the highest point in Tidal River Outlook. I saw flocks of black swans and various water birds to a breathtaking view over Norman Beach Bay and Squeaky Beach to the highest Tidal Overlook point.

If you have time, do more of the: ➡️ Beautiful Wilsons Prom Walks.

Wilson Promontory offers stunning views and a pristine environment that reminds us of Tasmania.

How to plan your Trip to the Wilsons Promontory

The best way to organise your road trip to Wilsons Prom is to hire a car in Melbourne. You may prefer self-driving to a guided tour, even as a solo traveller. I made this trip on my own and loved it. A road trip is easy and fun, and it allows you to see so much of the country on your way and at the Prom because it allows you to drive around freely. And you will use the car to move around quite often.

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First published in 2018, last updated in Nov 2023

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