The southernmost tip of the Australian mainland holds a secret history

Countries & Cities · Published 4 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Wilsons Promontory is more than just a scenic peninsula; it is a landscape of deep cultural significance and ecological resilience. From ancient indigenous middens to a 20th-century secret as a commando training ground, this wilderness has been shaped by human history and natural forces alike.

The peninsula has been a site of human activity for millennia. Indigenous Koori people occupied the area at least 6,500 years ago, with archaeological middens along the western coast revealing a diet primarily based on seafood. The land is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the Gunai/Kurnai and Boon wurrung people, featuring in several Dreamtime myths and serving as the home of the spirit ancestor Loo-errn.

European exploration and naming of the area were marked by initial confusion. George Bass first sighted the promontory in January 1798, initially misidentifying it as 'Furneaux's Land' before realizing it was distinct. It was eventually named Wilsons Promontory by Governor Hunter in the early 19th century to honor Thomas Wilson, a wealthy apothecary and a key promoter of natural history in the region who supported figures like Matthew Flinders.

The park's modern history is defined by both protection and peril. While it has been a national park since 1898, it was closed during World War II to serve as a commando training ground, with a memorial now standing at Tidal River. The landscape has also faced severe environmental challenges, including a 2009 lightning-strike fire that scorched over 25,000 hectares and a 2011 flood that necessitated helicopter evacuations of all visitors.

Today, the park is a hub for biodiversity and tourism, managed by Parks Victoria. It features unique features like the purple-yellow Tidal River, stained by tea tree tannins, and a variety of wildlife ranging from common wombats to returning southern right whales. While the Tidal River settlement can swell to over 2,000 people during peak season, the park remains a protected wilderness where wild camping is restricted to designated areas to preserve the bush.

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