Melbourne to Mallacoota is about 515 km, around six hours' drive east along the Princes Highway through Gippsland. You leave the highway at Genoa and take Mallacoota Road into town. There are no commercial flights into Mallacoota, and by public transport it's a V/Line train and bus combination that takes about 8.5 to 10 hours.
Sydney to Mallacoota is about 630 km, around 7 hours' drive, and Canberra to Mallacoota is about 349 km, around 4 hours 15 minutes' drive. This guide covers where Mallacoota is, the drive from Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, Genoa Falls, flying, public transport, and bringing a boat.
| How you come | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Drive from Melbourne | About 515 km, around six hours, east along the Princes Highway through Gippsland |
| Drive from Sydney | About 630 km, around 7 hours |
| Drive from Canberra | About 349 km, around 4 hours 15 minutes |
| Public transport | V/Line train and bus combination, about 8.5 to 10 hours, costing between $9 and $40 |
| Fly | No commercial flights into Mallacoota. The nearest commercial airport is Merimbula in NSW. Merimbula Airport to Mallacoota is about 108 km, around 1 hour 30 minutes' drive |
At a glance
About 515 km from Melbourne
Around six hours' drive east along the Princes Highway through Gippsland.
Sydney and Canberra
About 630 km (around 7 hours) from Sydney, and about 349 km (around 4 hours 15 minutes) from Canberra.
V/Line train and bus
About 8.5 to 10 hours by public transport, costing between $9 and $40.
No commercial flights
The nearest commercial airport is Merimbula in NSW. Merimbula Airport is about 108 km, around 1 hour 30 minutes' drive away.
On this page9 sections
Where is Mallacoota?
Mallacoota is in the far east of Victoria, 37 km by car to the NSW border. Croajingolong National Park, which covers about 88,000 hectares and 100 km of coast, is in far-east Victoria too.
Driving from Melbourne to Mallacoota
It's about 515 km, around six hours' drive. Head east along the Princes Highway through Gippsland, leave the highway at Genoa, and take Mallacoota Road into town.
- Melbourne to Genoa: east along the Princes Highway through Gippsland.
- Genoa to Mallacoota: turn off the highway at Genoa onto Mallacoota Road.
Driving from Sydney or Canberra
Sydney to Mallacoota is about 630 km, around 7 hours' drive. Canberra to Mallacoota is about 349 km, around 4 hours 15 minutes' drive. Check your route and allow for stops before you set off.
Genoa Falls, just off the highway
Genoa Falls is just off the Princes Highway about 4 km west of Genoa. It's a short walk with stairs, about 800 m return, to small falls spilling over wide rock shelves.
- The turnoff is unmarked. There's a small unsealed car park and no toilets or picnic tables.
- The rocks can be slippery, and water dragons are often seen there in warm weather.
- Dogs aren't permitted at Genoa Falls, so plan the dog's break somewhere else.
The falls are about 27 km from Mallacoota, around 25 minutes' drive, so they also make a short outing once you're here. Our Genoa Falls guide has the details.
Can you fly to Mallacoota?
Not on a commercial flight. There are no commercial flights into Mallacoota. The nearest commercial airport is Merimbula in NSW, and Merimbula Airport to Mallacoota is about 108 km, around 1 hour 30 minutes' drive. If you're weighing it up against the drive, remember the drive from Melbourne is about 515 km, around six hours.
Can you get to Mallacoota by public transport?
Yes. It's a V/Line train and bus combination that takes about 8.5 to 10 hours and costs between $9 and $40. Check the timetable before you travel.
Towing a boat?
"Can we park our boat?" is the question Amelia gets asked most. 15 of our 17 houses have room to park a boat. Lacy's Place and Vista Views don't, so pick another house if the boat's coming too.
The public boat ramps are at Bastion Point (for the ocean), Karbeethong and near the caravan park in town. There can be a queue at peak times. Our boat hire and boat ramps guide covers the rest.
When you arrive
Phone reception is better on Telstra.
Mallacoota goes from a few hundred people to several thousand over Christmas. Shops in town are well stocked but get busy in peak weeks, so bring the basics with you. Our guide to Mallacoota's shops and essentials and our guide to Mallacoota in summer cover what to expect when you get here.
Staying in Mallacoota
Hammond Properties looks after 17 holiday homes in Mallacoota. Waterfront houses for late December are often booked well before September, and January school-holiday weeks fill up in November. The minimum stay can be adjusted depending on property availability. 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, or see all our Mallacoota holiday rentals.
Good to know
Driving times
- Melbourneabout 515 km, around six hours, along the Princes Highway through Gippsland
- Sydneyabout 630 km, around 7 hours
- Canberraabout 349 km, around 4 hours 15 minutes
- From the Princes Highway, turn off at Genoa onto Mallacoota Road
Other ways in
- V/Line train and busabout 8.5 to 10 hours, $9 to $40
- No commercial flights into Mallacoota
- Nearest commercial airportMerimbula, NSW
- Merimbula Airport to Mallacootaabout 108 km, around 1 hour 30 minutes
Genoa Falls
- Just off the Princes Highway, about 4 km west of Genoa
- About 800 m return, with stairs
- Unmarked turnoff, no toilets or picnic tables
- No dogs