Wilsons Promontory and Gippsland

From Melbourne to the granite coast of Wilsons Promontory, then through historic Walhalla to the Gippsland Lakes and the caves of East Gippsland.

Distance: 627 km (390 mi)
Driving: 6 h 50 min
Suggested days: 4
Stops: 11
States: Victoria
Updated: May 3, 2026

At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 627 km (390 mi) with 11 stops, from Melbourne to Buchan Caves. About 6 h 50 min of driving in total.

More road trips in Victoria · More road trips from Melbourne

Route description

Day one: leave Melbourne on the South Gippsland Highway and stop at the Giant Gippsland Earthworm Museum in Korumburra, about 110 km and 1 h 30 min away. Continue 55 km through rolling dairy country to Foster, the last town with a full range of shops, and a further 60 km or so to Tidal River at Wilsons Promontory National Park. Fill your fuel tank in Foster.

Day two: spend the day on foot in the park. Squeaky Beach and Picnic Bay are short walks from the road, and Norman Beach lies by Tidal River. Experienced walkers can try the multi-day coastal track to the Lightstation and South Point, the southernmost point of the mainland. Wombats wander the camping area at dusk; do not feed them.

Day three: drive back through Foster and north-east to Moe, then up the Thomson Valley Road to Walhalla, about 200 km and 3 h 30 min in total. The last section is narrow, steep and winding, so take it slowly. Wander the old gold-mining streets and the railway station, then continue to Traralgon on the Princes Highway for an overnight stay.

Day four: follow the Princes Highway east about 200 km (around 2 h 15 min) from Traralgon to Lakes Entrance, crossing the footbridge to Ninety Mile Beach. Then take a side trip of roughly 85 km north to the Buchan Caves for a guided tour. Allow extra time, as distances are long. Summer is best, though Gippsland is busy at New Year; fuel up whenever you can.

Stop-by-stop itinerary

In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.

1

Melbourne
Victoria
Start
2

Giant Gippsland Earthworm Museum
OdditiesKorumburra, Victoria
A museum devoted to the giant Gippsland earthworm, a threatened species that can grow over a metre long, with a walk-through model worm. Quirky and short, on the way to South Gippsland.
122 km
3

Foster
Victoria
49 km
4

Tidal River campground
CampingWilsons Promontory, Victoria
The main base in Wilsons Promontory National Park, beside a tidal river and Norman Beach. Wombats and kangaroos wander through the sites. Sites are booked well ahead for summer and school holidays.
52 km
5

Squeaky Beach
NatureWilsons Promontory, Victoria
A white quartz sand beach north of Tidal River whose fine grains squeak underfoot. It lies beside Picnic Bay, with granite boulders at both ends and a walking track from the road end.
1 km
6

Wilsons Promontory Lightstation
StaysWilsons Promontory, Victoria
A 1859 granite lighthouse at the end of a long coastal walk, with former keepers' cottages offering overnight stays. It is remote, reached only on foot, so plan for the weather and carry supplies.
18 km
7

South Point, Wilsons Promontory
ViewsWilsons Promontory, Victoria
The southernmost point of mainland Australia, reached on a multi-day bushwalk or from the lightstation track. Few visitors come here, so only experienced, well-prepared walkers should attempt it.
6 km
8

Walhalla historic gold town
HistoryWalhalla, Victoria
A former gold-mining town squeezed into a steep valley in the Victorian Alps foothills, with restored cottages and a heritage railway station. The road in is narrow and winding, so allow extra time.
159 km
9

Lakes Entrance
Victoria
162 km
10

Lakes Entrance footbridge and Ninety Mile Beach
NatureLakes Entrance, Victoria
A footbridge crosses from town to the dunes and the start of Ninety Mile Beach, a very long ocean beach. The Gippsland Lakes behind are Australia's largest inland waterway system.
2 km
11

Buchan Caves
NatureBuchan, Victoria
Limestone caves with stalactites and flowstone in East Gippsland, visited on guided tours. The caves stay at a constant cool temperature, so they make a good break from summer heat.
56 km

Suggested stages and overnight stops

4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.

Day 1: Melbourne → Foster · 171 km · 1 h 52 minOn the way: Giant Gippsland Earthworm Museum.
Day 2: Foster → South Point, Wilsons Promontory · 77 km · 0 h 51 minOn the way: Tidal River campground, Squeaky Beach, Wilsons Promontory Lightstation.
Day 3: South Point, Wilsons Promontory → Walhalla historic gold town · 159 km · 1 h 44 min
Day 4: Walhalla historic gold town → Buchan Caves · 220 km · 2 h 24 minOn the way: Lakes Entrance, Lakes Entrance footbridge and Ninety Mile Beach.

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually November–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.

Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons

FAQs

How long is Wilsons Promontory and Gippsland?

4-day road trip of about 627 km (390 mi) with 11 stops, from Melbourne to Buchan Caves. About 6 h 50 min of driving in total.

How many days do you need for Wilsons Promontory and Gippsland?

We suggest 4 days: about 6 h 50 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

Where does Wilsons Promontory and Gippsland start and end?

It starts in Melbourne and ends in Buchan Caves.

Which states does Wilsons Promontory and Gippsland pass through?

Victoria.

When is the best time for Wilsons Promontory and Gippsland?

The most pleasant months are usually November–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)