Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse

The basics

Hikers heading to Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse follow the Southern Prom Southern Circuit trails through the national park. There is a choice of two routes to reach the Lighthouse. The shortest is an 11.9-mile (19.1-kilometer) 1-way trail, which takes about six hours to reach the lighthouse. It’s a challenging route that crosses remote bushland, and hikers must be self-sufficient and carry their supplies.

If you’re up for an adventure, spending a night or two at the Lighthouse Cottage is the ultimate reward. Not only will you have sweeping panoramic views across the Bass Strait, but you’ll get the bragging rights of having stayed in Aussie’s southernmost cottage. After a night at the lighthouse, most hikers return via the slightly longer coastal route, about a 7-hour hike.

Things to know before you go

• The Lighthouse is only accessible on foot, and hikers should be in shape as it’s a moderately difficult route.

• If you're not up for the hike, you can see the Lighthouse on a cruise around the south coast of Wilson's Promontory National Park.

• For overnight hikes, you must check in at the Tidal River Visitor Centre before setting out. Park admission is free, but overnight camping and accommodation fees apply, and reservations must be made in advance.

• Hikers staying at the cottage should bring sufficient water, food, sleeping bags, and all hiking supplies.

How to get there

Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse sits along a rocky promontory on the southern shore of Wilsons Promontory National Park and is only accessible by hiking. You can set out from either Tidal River, a 14.8-mile (23.8-kilometer) one-way hike, or from the Telegraph Saddle Carpark, an 11.9-mile (19.1-kilometer) one-way hike.

When to get there

The best time for hiking in Wilsons Promontory National Park is anytime between spring—when wildflowers blanket the peninsula—through fall. Trails get crowded in busy summer (December–February), and you’ll need to book well in advance to snag a night in the Lighthouse Cottage at this time. The cottage is closed in winter from July through mid-September, but this is an ideal time for whale-watching cruises along the coast.

Exploring Wilsons Promontory National Park

The wild landscapes of Wilsons Promontory National Park, or “The Prom,” encompass some 120,000 acres (50,000 hectares) of remote bushland trails, pristine sandy beaches, and granite sea cliffs. Hiking is the best way to explore, but the coast also offers opportunities for whale-watching cruises, snorkeling and scuba diving in the Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park, and wildlife sightings such as kangaroos, wombats, and emus.