The Tidal River rises below Mount Latrobe, part of the Wilson Range within the Wilsons Promontory National Park, and flows generally west by south before reaching its mouth within Norman Bay at the seasonal settlement of Tidal River, and emptying into Bass Strait.

When a high tide occurs at the same time as a large amount of precipitation, the river can flood the tracks and boardwalks surrounding the area.

Because of its proximity to the beach and the types of rocks in the area, the Tidal River bed is composed purely of fine sand.

Tidal River camping ground is nestled in sand dunes behind Norman Bay, on the western side of the peninsula.

The only road open to visitors leads from Yanakie at the park entrance to Tidal River, a distance of 32 kilometres (20 mi).

There is a visitor centre open daily, a general store which serves basic supermarket and emergency items, a service station, fish and chippery and café.

The outdoor cinema, established in the late 1940s, is a nostalgic favourite amongst summer campers who will sometimes line up for over an hour before tickets can be bought so they can save a seat in the front row with a blanket.