Highlights:

• Rugged granite ranges and outcrops

• Remote pristine white-sand beaches

• Spectacular forests and ocean views

• Rich and diverse flora and fauna

Brief:

⏱ Duration: 3 days
🗺 Distance: 62 km
⛰ Grade: Easy to Moderate
🗓 Best Time: Sept - June
🛏 Accomm: Cottages or camping

Lighthouse Circuit - Walk Overview

This is a two or three day walk in Wilsons Promontory National Park. It’s generally done in two days but, if you have time, a third day soaking up the natural riches of Australia’s isolated southernmost point is very rewarding.

Most people do the walk in a clockwise direction, starting at Telegraph Saddle and finishing at Tidal River but it is possible to do it in reverse.

Starting at Telegraph Saddle means that on your first day you have two alternative routes to get to the lighthouse. The easier route involves staying on the Telegraph Track, an unsealed management road, most of the way down to the lighthouse. Alternatively, the slightly longer and slightly harder route includes Waterloo Bay and the south-east coastline of the Prom. The extra effort delivers the beautiful white sand Waterloo Bay beach and the spectacular ocean views of the south-east coast track, so is well worth it.

The Wilsons Promontory Lightstation comprises the lighthouse and various cottages and service buildings. It occupies an extraordinary location atop a massive granite outcrop that juts out into the Bass Strait. Climbing the very steep path to the top of the outcrop is the last challenge of the first day’s walk.

The walk from the lighthouse to Tidal River is longer than the first day’s walk but does not involve as many ascents and descents. The highlights of this day’s walk are the eucalyptus forests of Boulder Range, Oberon Bay beach, Norman Bay and the imposing backdrop of the Prom peaks of Mt Oberon, Mt Wilson and Mt Norgate.

Tidal River, with its beach, its sand-fringed river and amenities is a wonderful finishing point.

Further information:

• A three day itinerary is described below (scroll down). It converts into a two day itinerary by dropping out day two.

• For more information on walking in the Wilsons Promontory National Park, click the buttons below.

Lighthouse Circuit - Walk Options

Guided

Several tour operators offer this walk as part of a guided trip. This is offered as a two or three day trip following the route described above and staying at the light-station accommodation or as a full pack camping trip camping at Roaring Meg, 5 km from the light-station.

Assisted self-guided

Currently, no tour operators offer assisted self-guided options. We can assist you to do the walk independently.

Independent

There is limited and very popular accommodation at the Lightstation, staying in former lighthouse keepers’ cottages. During summer and holiday weekends, you need to book a long way ahead. Camping is an option but not at the Lightstation. The nearest camping area is at Roaring Meg, approximately 5 km from the Lightstation.

Those doing the walk over 3 days usually use the middle day as a day to relax around the cosy cottages and soak up the extraordinary locale of the Lightstation. Alternatively, a return walk to the southernmost tip of the Australian mainland at South Point is a very rewarding hike. Few people visit South Point so solitude is assured. 

Lighthouse Circuit - Essential Information

Access

The usual starting point for the Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse Circuit is the Telegraph Saddle car park. The car park is about 3.5km from Tidal River which is the location of the Tidal River Visitor Centre and the National Park’s main camping and accommodation area. Private cars can be left at the Telegraph Saddle car park, except during the Park’s busiest periods when a free shuttle bus operates between Tidal River and Telegraph Saddle car park.

There is no public transport to Wilsons Promontory.

Park entry

Overnight walkers in the Wilsons Promontory National Park must obtain a permit from the Tidal River Visitor Centre before commencing their walk and the permit must be carried with walkers.

Accommodation

There is a considerable array of accommodation just outside the National Park or at Tidal River that we can help you with. Whether you want some comfort either side of the walk or just a roof over your head, there are a number of options.

We can assist walkers in choosing the accommodation options which best suit their needs.

Other activities

As a popular tourism destination, the Wilsons Promontory region has a host of activities that you might want to do either side of the walk. Scenic flights, day cruises and cycling trips are popular for those wanting to enlarge their adventure. Or if you feel you’ve earned a reward, there are local wine and gastronomy tours that are of a high standard. 

Assistance

We can assist walkers with various aspects of their walking holidays.

Lighthouse Circuit - Route Map

A route map for the Lighthouse Circuit is set out below. The mark ‘A’ indicates the starting point at the Telegraph Saddle car park and ‘B’ the finish at Tidal River. The walk can be done in either direction.