Tidal River (Victoria) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tidal |
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Tidal River and the camp ground looking south
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| Country | Australia |
| State | Victoria |
| Region | Furneaux (IBRA), South Gippsland, Wilsons Promontory |
| Local government area | South Gippsland Shire |
| Town | Tidal River settlement |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Mount Latrobe, Wilson Range 367 m (1,204 ft) 39°0′37″S 146°22′30″E / 39.01028°S 146.37500°E |
| River mouth | Norman Bay, then Bass Strait Tidal River settlement 0 m (0 ft) 39°2′6″S 146°18′46″E / 39.03500°S 146.31278°E |
| Length | 6 km (3.7 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | West Gippsland catchment |
| National park | Wilsons Promontory NP |
The Tidal River is a river in Victoria, Australia. It flows through the beautiful Wilsons Promontory National Park. The river is named "Tidal" because its water levels change with the ocean tides.
There's also a popular camping area called Tidal River. It's a great spot for visitors to stay while exploring the national park.
Contents
Where is Tidal River Located?
Tidal River starts high up on Mount Latrobe, which is part of the Wilson Range. This area is inside the Wilsons Promontory National Park. The river flows for about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) before it reaches the ocean.
It empties into Norman Bay, which then connects to the Bass Strait. The river drops about 367 meters (1,204 feet) from its source to the sea.
Why is the Water a Strange Color?
The water in Tidal River can look very unusual. It ranges from a deep yellow in shallow spots to almost black in deeper areas. This unique color comes from the many Leptospermum trees, also known as tea trees, that grow nearby.
These trees release natural dyes into the water. This makes the river look like a cup of black tea. Even though the water is dark, it's actually very clean and clear. You just can't see the bottom in the deep parts. Not many water creatures live in the river because of this.
How Does the Tide Affect the River?
As its name suggests, Tidal River gets bigger when the ocean tide comes in. If a high tide happens at the same time as heavy rain, the river can even flood nearby walking paths.
The river flows into Norman Beach, which is considered one of the safer beaches in the area. The riverbed is made of very fine sand. When the tide is low, you can walk on this sand. It feels very soft and squishy because of how fine the sand is, mixed with the surrounding dirt.
Fun Walks and Hikes at Tidal River
Tidal River is the perfect starting point for many different walks. Some are short and easy, while others are long adventures.
The Great Prom Walk: A Big Adventure
One of the most famous hikes is the Great Prom Walk. This is an overnight trip for experienced hikers. It takes you to South Point, which is the southernmost tip of mainland Australia.
The hike also leads to the Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse on South East Point. The walk to the lighthouse and back is quite long, over 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) one way. The return trip on a different path is a bit shorter, around 20 kilometers (12.4 miles).
Squeaky Beach: A Unique Sound
A very popular walk for campers is the 3-kilometer (1.9-mile) Squeaky Beach walk. It's a fun path that goes over a hill between Norman Beach and Squeaky Beach.
Squeaky Beach gets its name because the sand actually squeaks when you walk on it! This happens because the sand is made of super-fine quartz particles. All the sand grains are the same size and shape, which makes them rub together and "sing." Kids love this beach because it has many big rocks to climb. However, the ocean water here can be rough with strong currents, so be careful. There's also a small stream on the beach that looks similar in color to Tidal River.
Staying at the Tidal River Campground
Tidal River is the main place to stay if you want to visit Wilsons Promontory National Park. It has a large campground with 484 sites for tents and caravans. Twenty of these sites even have power. There are also 11 special campsites deeper in the park that you can only reach by walking.
The campground is tucked away in sand dunes behind Norman Bay. It's on the western side of the peninsula. The only road for visitors goes from Yanakie (at the park entrance) to Tidal River, which is about 32 kilometers (20 miles) away.
What's at the Campground?
When the campground is full, over 2,000 people can be staying there! It's like a small town. You'll find:
- A visitor center that's open every day.
- A general store for basic groceries and emergency items.
- A service station.
- A fish and chippery and a café.
There's also an outdoor cinema that started in the late 1940s. It's a favorite for summer campers. People sometimes line up for over an hour to get tickets and save a good spot with their blankets.
During the busy summer holidays (from Christmas to late January), a special lottery is held to decide who gets a campsite. No matter when you visit, you always need to book your accommodation ahead of time.
