Tidal River

Tidal River is the main visitor hub and campground within Wilsons Promontory National Park in South Gippsland, Victoria. Located on the western coast of the peninsula where Tidal River meets Norman Bay, it serves as the central base for exploring the national park. It is notable for its large campground, Norman Beach, river estuary, visitor centre and access to major walking tracks.

Visitors can expect a coastal settlement set between Tidal River estuary and Norman Beach, backed by bushland and granite hills. The area contains a large campground with powered and unpowered sites, cabins, a general store, visitor centre, and picnic areas. Visitors can walk across the Tidal River footbridge, swim or walk along Norman Beach, observe wombats, kangaroos and emus, and start hikes such as Lilly Pilly Gully and Mount Oberon from the settlement.

Tidal River lies within Wilsons Promontory, traditionally part of the lands of the GunaiKurnai and Bunurong peoples. Wilsons Promontory was temporarily reserved as a national park in 1898 and permanently reserved in 1905, making it one of Victoria's oldest national parks. Tidal River was developed as the principal visitor settlement and camping area to support park recreation and conservation management.

The area holds cultural significance for its Aboriginal heritage and as Victoria's most prominent coastal wilderness park. It is valued for nature-based recreation, education and conservation, and is a focal point for visitors experiencing the natural landscape of Wilsons Promontory.