A new welcome to Tidal River is on the way, as work starts on a new visitor centre for the most popular campsite in Victoria.
The works are part of the Wilsons Promontory Revitalisation project, which is investing in improved facilities and conservation efforts across the National Park.
Improvements to the visitor centre include a new façade, a small extension and upgrades to the interior. Also included is new landscaping and external paths, and more picnic tables and seating in the surrounding precinct.
"Wilsons Prom is truly one of the gems of our state and we want as many people as possible to enjoy this beautiful tourism attraction," said Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos on a site inspection.
Designed to make the visitor experience more accessible and sustainable, the project builds on accessibility improvements to the Prom Wildlife Walk, completed in December 2024.
"We are really excited about the renovations taking place at Tidal River. The renewed visitor centre will provide a more welcoming entry for visitors and will be better connected to the general store," said Phil Price, Parks Victoria's South Eastern Commercial Operations Manager.
The entrance will create a sense of arrival for visitors to Tidal River.
The project includes a fully accessible amenity block constructed next to the visitor centre. The Changing Places facility includes a toilet, shower and changing area with full disability access features such as a hoist.
The $1.7 million facility is funded from the Victorian Government's Victoria's Great Outdoors program and a grant from the Changing Places program.
"These new accessible visitor facilities will be a huge boost allowing more people to stay at Tidal River and experience the Prom," Phil added.
Melbourne-based construction company Eastern Property Services has been appointed as project contractor. The project is part of the $23 million investment from the Victorian Government's Tourism Infrastructure Program.
Construction work in visitor centre precinct is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. During the construction the Visitor Centre has relocated to the Tidal River Education Centre, approximately 100m west.
The outdoor area features new landscape, picnic tables and bench seating.
This winter is proving to be a busy time for the team at the Prom with several other construction projects also taking place across the park.
Construction has begun repairing the Tidal River footbridge, which was closed late last year following engineers' advice.
The team are also about to begin renovating some of the toilet blocks throughout the Tidal River Campground ahead of summer. They are also replacing the toilet blocks in the remote campsites at Sealers Cove, Refuge Cove and Little Waterloo Bay. Both projects are funded by Victoria's Great Outdoors program.
Also, progress is being made to reopen the Sealers Cove Boardwalk. The tender to replace the Sealers Cove Boardwalk has closed. The team are currently evaluating tender responses and will appoint a contractor shortly. They expect construction to commence in Spring 2025.
You can follow the progress on the Prom Revitalisation project page.
