The Gippsland region, directly east of Melbourne, has long been considered an adventurer’s playground and the jewel in its crown is Wilsons Promontory National Park. This wild peninsula juts into the Bass Strait and is home to some of Victoria’s best hiking trails, campsites and beaches, though the water temperature isn’t always to everyone’s tastes. You could spend a lifetime exploring Wilsons Prom, but every good adventure should be balanced with even better accommodation. Whether you’re at the Prom for a week or a weekend, these are just a few of our favourite places to stay.
The tiny town of Yanakie – just a general store, really – is the gateway to Wilsons Promontory National Park. Unless you’re camping, there’s almost no accommodation within the national park itself, so Yanakie is essentially as close as you can get. The Banksia Cabin, which is two kilometres from the entrance to Wilsons Prom, is an adorable little retreat with all the essentials. It sleeps two and has an indoor fireplace for cooler months, making for the perfect adventure base for solo or couple adventurers.
If you’re after a cabin, but wanting something a little more lux, you best take a look at this spa cabin boasting coastal views. Set on a 10-acre, adults-only property, the cabin is a couple of minutes away from Wilsons Prom National Park and comes with everything you need for a weekend or week-long escape. The spa will soothe those aching muscles once you’ve hiked Mount Oberon, the Big Drift or Lilly Pilly Gully, and if you choose to explore the property instead of the national park, you may well meet the native wildlife or even an alpaca or two.
Beautiful, spacious and pet friendly, this glamping belle tent is perfectly positioned to explore Wilsons Prom. It’s one of a number of tents on the property, which, again, is only a few minutes from the entry to the national park. You’ll enjoy ocean views and sun sets over Corner Inlet, and for a few extra dollars, you can even add a romance package to your booking for complimentary bubbles, rose petals and more.
The Old Dairy is a funky, retro-styled home full of plants and light, with all you’ll ever need for a comfy weekend away in South Gippsland – especially once you light the outdoor fire pit. Fish Creek, a quirky artist’s town, is a 20-minute drive from the entrance to Wilsons Prom and known for its Art Deco pub and love of all things…fish. Keep an eye out for fish statues as you visit the local cafes, tackle the Great Southern Rail Trail on two wheels (or legs), or drive through town on your way to the Prom.
This may be a home made from shipping containers, but it still boasts three bedrooms and some of the best views of Gippsland that you’ll ever witness from your accommodation. Expect a modern and pet-friendly set up that sleeps seven and has a fireplace to keep things cosy, even when Gippsland’s infamous wild weather hits. Though you’re a little further from Wilsons Prom – 40 minutes by car – than Yanakie or Fish Creek, you’ll have the added bonus of being close to Tarra-Bulga National Park, a relatively underrated, but always awe-inspiring, national park that’s home to giant, old-growth mountain ash trees as well as waterfalls and spectacular fern-filled gullies.
Inspired to escape to Wilsons Prom and Gippsland? Don’t forget to check out the rest of Riparide’s escapes in the region.