In Mallacoota in winter, Cafe 54 is open year-round, seven days, and the Artisans and Produce Market runs on the first Saturday of the month. Humpback and southern right whales pass Mallacoota heading north in winter, and 15 of our 17 houses take dogs.
At a glance
Cafe 54 all year
Open year-round, seven days, for breakfast and lunch at 54 Maurice Avenue.
Mild winter days
Winter days average about 15°C, with nights around 7 to 9°C.
Whales heading north
Humpback and southern right whales pass Mallacoota heading north in winter.
Dogs welcome
15 of our 17 houses take dogs. The limit is two dogs per booking, and there's no size limit.
On this page9 sections
What's open in Mallacoota in winter?
Cafe 54 is open year-round, seven days, for breakfast and lunch. Sundayss, the café and juice bar on Allan Drive, is closed over the cooler months and generally reopens in the early summer period.
For the rest, these are the hours we have. We don't have separate winter hours for them, so check before you go.
| Where | What | Hours we have | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cafe 54, 54 Maurice Avenue | Breakfast and lunch | Year-round, seven days | 03 5158 0646 |
| Mallacoota Hotel Motel, 51–55 Maurice Avenue | The pub, and its Family Bistro | The Hotel: seven days from 10am. The bistro: seven days, lunch and dinner | 03 5158 0455 |
| Mallacoota Golf and Country Club | The bar | Thursday to Sunday outside the festive season | 03 5158 0277 |
| IGA, 49 Maurice Avenue | Groceries | Google lists 8am to 6:30pm, seven days | 03 5158 0604 |
| Origami Coffee, Dorron Avenue | Drinks only | Its Instagram lists Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 3pm | — |
Our Mallacoota restaurant guide has the full list of places to eat, and the coffee guide covers the rest of the coffee.
What's the weather like in winter?
Mild. Parks Victoria describes Mallacoota as having Victoria's warmest winter temperatures. Winter days average about 15°C, with nights around 7 to 9°C. To be straight about it, inland, Mildura and the Mallee get warmer winter days. Mallacoota is the mild pick on the coast. There's more on that in our guide to Victoria's warmest winter escape.
Whales and swift parrots
Humpback and southern right whales pass Mallacoota on migration, heading north in winter and south with calves in spring. Bastion Point and the coastal headlands are good lookouts. Our whale watching guide has where to stand and what else to look for.
Critically endangered swift parrots cross from Tasmania in winter to feed in flowering gums.
Gabo Island in winter
Gabo Island tours and boat transfers operate year-round, winter included. Gabo Island sits about 14 km from Mallacoota. You reach it by boat or light plane, weather permitting, and you have to book. You can't just turn up. Our Gabo Island guide lists who runs the trips.
Winter walks
The Double Creek Nature Walk is an easy 1 km loop through warm temperate rainforest, about 8 km from Mallacoota, with a picnic ground. Lyrebirds are common, and koalas are possible. For a longer day, the Mallacoota Coastal Walk is about 9.5 km one way. The beach walks, the coastal walk and the lake foreshore suit children and bikes. The Mallacoota walks guide has the rest.
Fishing in winter
Bream are caught year-round. Flathead fire in the warmer months, roughly November to April. Kids can fish off the jetties and the Main Wharf, in sheltered water with no boat needed. Tackle and bait can be found at the Caltex & BP service station as well as IGA. Our guide to the best time to fish Mallacoota goes through the seasons.
The market, the museum and a massage
The Mallacoota Artisans and Produce Market runs on the first Saturday of the month, 8am to 12pm, at Lions Park and the Mudbrick Pavilion. It doesn't run in January or at Easter.
The Mallacoota RSL Bunker Museum is on Airport Road, inside a WWII operations bunker built in 1942 as an RAAF Advanced Operations Base. It opens Tuesdays 9:30am to 12pm and Sundays 1 to 3pm. Check ahead. There's more in our Bunker Museum guide. Mallacoota also has a public library at the Foreshore Caravan Park office.
Massage by Jodie, at 52 Maurice Avenue, offers remedial, sports, hot stone, relaxation and deep tissue massage and an infrared sauna. Ring 0438 096 808, or book at massagebyjodie.com.au. Studio @ 65 on Maurice Avenue does hair and beauty, and it's open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. The massage guide has both.
Bringing the dog in winter
15 of the 17 houses take dogs. High Tide Studio and Blue Bird don't. The limit is two dogs per booking, and there's no size limit. Seven houses have a fully fenced yard, and pet fees and bonds vary by house, so ask when booking.
Dogs are welcome at the Hotel's outdoor tables and at Lucy's outdoor tables. Dogs aren't allowed on the Double Creek walk, and Parks Victoria doesn't list Croajingolong among its dog-friendly parks. Bring tick protection for dogs. Our guide to bringing your dog to Mallacoota has the detail, and the pet-friendly houses page shows which houses take them.
Where to stay
Our rates are lower outside summer. 27 Mirrabooka Rd has lake views and a fenced yard, and takes dogs. Booking direct means lower fees than Airbnb or Stayz, and Amelia will help match you to the house that suits you. Bookings are by phone on 0401 825 547 or through the enquiry form.
Good to know
Phone numbers
- Cafe 5403 5158 0646
- Mallacoota Hotel Motel03 5158 0455
- IGA03 5158 0604
- Hammond Properties bookings0401 825 547
Hours we have
- Cafe 54year-round, seven days
- Artisans and Produce Marketfirst Saturday of the month, 8am to 12pm (not January or Easter)
- Bunker MuseumTuesdays 9:30am to 12pm, Sundays 1 to 3pm