Tidal River
A wild and desolate headland of some 42,000 ha which projects out from the mainland into Bass Strait. It is the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. Mountainous, heavily wooded and with an average annual rainfall of 1,143 mm, it abounds in wildlife, native flora and its spectacular coastal scenery is visible from the many walking tracks through it. Photo gallery
Location: south-west of Melbourne Map
Origin of name: it is believed to have been named by Gov. John Hunter after Thomas Wilson, a London merchant and friend of explorer Matthew Flinders. It was previously known as furneaux's Land after Captain Tobias Furneaux, who sailed on Lieut. James Cook's first voyage to the South Pacific. Furneaux had earlier explored the east coast of Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands.
Brief history: George Bass sighted the promontory in January 1798 during his explorations of the Victorian and NSW coastline. Wilsons Promontory was preserved as a national park and sanctuary in 1908.
Natural features: Southern Ocean; Bass Strait; Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park; Wilsons Promontory National Park Tidal River, Norman Bay, Squeaky Beach; Mt Oberon; Shallow Inlet Marine and Coastal Park; coastal islands
Heritage features: Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse (1859)