Tidal River
Tidal River is the main river in Wilson Promontory National Park. It runs into Norman Bay and swells with the tide (hence the name 'Tidal River'). The river is a very interesting colour, a purple-yellow. This is due to the large amount of tea trees in the area, which stain the water with tannin, giving it a tea-like appearance.
History of Wilson's Promontory and Tidal River
- The southernmost point of the Australian mainland, Wilsons Promontory is one of the most popular national parks in Victoria.
- Reserved as a National Park as far back as 1898, 'The Prom' once joined with Tasmania hence its likeness to Tasmania in a lot of respects.
- Wilson's Promontory National Park has an early history of Aboriginal occupation with archaeological records dating back at least 6500 years.
- The Prom had (and still has) spiritual significance for different Aboriginal groups, who knew the area as Yiruk or Wamoom. The area as a valuable food source, particularly in summer.
- Aboriginal people may have used the Prom, which was then part of a 'land bridge', to reach Tasmania during past Ice Ages.
- George Bass and Matthew Flinders were probably the first Europeans to see the Prom, on their 1798 voyage from Sydney, and Bass is thought to have named it after a London friend of Flinders'.
- They recognised its commercial value, as the name Sealers Cove shows; commercial exploitation of seals, whales and timber, and for cattle grazing, went on for nearly a hundred years.
- The Prom's position means that it is important for navigation in the turbulent waters of Bass Strait, and a lighthouse was built on South East Point in 1859.
- Following campaigns by the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, and lobbying by the Royal Society of Victoria, the Victorian government temporarily reserved most of the Promontory as a national park in 1898. Permanent reservation followed in 1908.
- A chalet for visitors was built at Darby River, but for many years a trip to the Prom was quite an adventure, involving a boat trip across Corner Inlet and a horse ride, or a car drive along the beach, with the risk of being swamped by waves! The main entrance road was not completed until the 1930s.
- During World War II the Prom was used for commando training and was closed to the public. Army buildings at Tidal River formed the nucleus of a post-war holiday village that gradually developed as more people came to the Prom.
- The entrance road was sealed in 1970-71 with visitor numbers increasing steadily.
*Information on the history of Wilsons Promontory and Tidal River was gathered from the Parks Victoria website.
Services:
* Water provided within Tidal River is suitable for drinking.
* Free gas barbecues are located at Tidal River, in the Norman Beach and Visitor Centre Carpark.
* The Tidal River Store has fresh food and a range of other consumables, as well as post office facilities, gas bottle refills and a café with take-away meals.
More Inforamtion:
To view more information regarding accommodation at Tidal River, please click on the links below:
Tidal River Accommodation Guide 09-10
Tidal River Accommodation Guide 10-11
Due to high demand, during the Christmas, New Year and January school holiday periods, all accommodation (including campsites) are allocated via a ballot system.
The application period for the summer ballot 2010/2011 will be for one month only, being the month of June 2010. Applications open on 1 June and close on 30 June 2010. For more information visit:
