Gabo Island Tours from Mallacoota
Gabo Island is about 14 km from Mallacoota, reached by boat or light plane on a booked trip. Who runs tours, what they cost, what you'll see, and staying overnight.
Gabo Island tours at a glance
You reach Gabo Island by boat or light plane, weather permitting, and you have to book. You can't just turn up. Mallacoota Lake Adventures runs Gabo tours of about 4 hours at $250 a head, Merimbula Air Services flies a half-day tour with lunch for $450 a person, and Wilderness Coast Charters runs Gabo trips too.
The Lighthouse
47 m of local pink granite, built 1858 to 1862: the second-tallest lighthouse in Australia.
Penguins and Seals
Sometimes little penguins on Gabo, and fur seals on nearby Little Gabo.
Small-Group Tours
Mallacoota Lake Adventures takes groups of 3 to 4 for about 4 hours, at $250 a head.
Book Ahead
Every trip is by boat or light plane, weather permitting, and you have to book. You can't just turn up.
Where is Gabo Island?
Gabo Island covers 154 hectares and sits about 14 km from Mallacoota, 500 m off the Croajingolong coast.
Croajingolong National Park covers about 88,000 hectares and 100 km of coast in far-east Victoria. It has been a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve since 1977, and it takes its name from the Aboriginal people of the area. Our Croajingolong National Park guide has more on the park.
How do you get to Gabo Island?
By boat or light plane, and only on a trip you've booked. Every crossing is weather permitting. These are the operators we know of:
| Operator | What they run | Price | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mallacoota Lake Adventures | Gabo Island tours for groups of 3 to 4, taking about 4 hours. Tours depend on the weather. | $250 a head | Not listed here |
| Merimbula Air Services | Flies to Gabo: a half-day tour with lunch. | $450 a person, including GST | Not listed here |
| Wilderness Coast Charters | Gabo trips. | We don't have a price | 0417 398 068 |
We don't know where Merimbula Air Services' Gabo flights leave from, so check that when you book. If you're staying with us, ask and we can pass on contact details for the Gabo Island boat operators.
How much does a Gabo Island tour cost?
Mallacoota Lake Adventures charges $250 a head, for groups of 3 to 4. Merimbula Air Services' half-day tour with lunch is $450 a person, including GST. We don't have a price for Wilderness Coast Charters, so ring them on 0417 398 068.
Over Christmas and January, book boat hire, charters and tours as early as you can.
What you'll see on Gabo Island
On Gabo you see the lighthouse, sometimes little penguins, and fur seals on nearby Little Gabo.
The lighthouse
The Gabo Island lighthouse was built from 1858 to 1862, and it's 47 m of local pink granite. That makes it the second-tallest lighthouse in Australia. Lighthouse tours climb the tower's 196 steps.
If you want a second lighthouse, Point Hicks Lightstation, inside Croajingolong, was built in 1890. You reach Point Hicks from the Cann River side of the park.
Penguins and seals
Little penguins are a sometimes thing on Gabo, so treat them as a bonus. The fur seals are on nearby Little Gabo.
Can you stay overnight on Gabo Island?
Yes. You can stay overnight in the old lightkeepers' cottages, booked through Parks Victoria. Getting to the island is still by boat or light plane on a booked trip, weather permitting.
More to do around Mallacoota
Mallacoota Cruises runs lake cruises, scenic cruises and eco tours aboard the M.V. Loch-Ard, which dates from about 1910. Our boat hire guide and fishing charters guide cover other ways onto the water.
On land, 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 there, and koalas are possible. Our Mallacoota walks guide has more walks.
In winter and spring, you can watch for whales from the coast. 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.
Dolphins and seals turn up from time to time near the inlet mouth, most often early in the morning.
Staying in Mallacoota for a Gabo trip
Melbourne to Mallacoota is about 515 km, around six hours' drive east along the Princes Highway through Gippsland. Because Gabo trips are weather permitting, leave a spare day or two in case the weather rules yours out.
Hammond Properties looks after 17 holiday homes in Mallacoota. Book direct for 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.
Browse Accommodation →Tour Information
Important Notes:
- • Every trip is weather permitting
- • You have to book. You can't just turn up.
- • Ask us for the boat operators' contact details
- • For Christmas and January, book as early as you can
Gabo Island FAQs
How do you get to Gabo Island from Mallacoota?
By boat or light plane, weather permitting, and you have to book. You can't just turn up. Mallacoota Lake Adventures and Wilderness Coast Charters run Gabo trips. Merimbula Air Services also flies to Gabo, so check where its flights leave from. Hammond Properties can pass on contact details for the Gabo Island boat operators.
How much does a Gabo Island tour cost?
Mallacoota Lake Adventures charges $250 a head for its Gabo Island tours, which are for groups of 3 to 4 and take about 4 hours. Merimbula Air Services' half-day tour with lunch is $450 a person, including GST. We don't have a price for Wilderness Coast Charters' Gabo trips, so ring them on 0417 398 068.
Can you stay overnight on Gabo Island?
Yes. You can stay overnight in the old lightkeepers' cottages on Gabo Island, booked through Parks Victoria. Getting to the island is still by boat or light plane on a booked trip, and every crossing is weather permitting.
How tall is the Gabo Island lighthouse?
The Gabo Island lighthouse is 47 m of local pink granite, built from 1858 to 1862, and it's the second-tallest lighthouse in Australia. Lighthouse tours climb the tower's 196 steps.
How far is Gabo Island from Mallacoota?
Gabo Island sits about 14 km from Mallacoota, 500 m off the Croajingolong coast, and covers 154 hectares. You reach it by boat or light plane on a booked trip, weather permitting.
Planning a Gabo Island Trip?
We can pass on contact details for the Gabo Island boat operators, and Amelia will help match you to the house that suits you.