Avoiding the Crowds in Mallacoota, and Places Out of Town

From late January. Christmas to mid-January is the peak, and Mallacoota goes from a few hundred people to several thousand over Christmas.

If you want the beach without the crowds, the water is warmest in late January and February, and early February is the sweet spot: the crowds have gone and the water hasn't cooled. Our rates are lower outside summer. Our guides to Mallacoota in autumn and Mallacoota in winter cover what's on and what's open then.

Gipsy Point is up the inlet, a quieter, more remote stretch for paddling. Gipsy Point Lodge has a café-restaurant. Double Creek Arm is a sheltered arm of the inlet, good for a sunrise paddle among overhanging trees and birdlife.

Mallacoota Hireboats hires single kayaks from $30, or $50 for a half day (4 hours) and $75 for a full day (8 hours). A double kayak is $70 and $110. No boat licence is needed for its kayaks. It's at 10 Buckland Drive. Ring 0474 818 058. Our kayaking guide has more on where to paddle.

Secret Beach is about 7 km south of town along Betka Road, then a short walk and stairs down to the sand. The stairs were rebuilt and reopened in July 2021. A sea cave at the northern end can only be reached safely at low tide. Secret Beach isn't patrolled, and swimming there can be dangerous because of rough waves and rips.

Quarry Beach is about 10 minutes' drive south of town. It's known for colourful rock formations and rock pools, which are best explored, and snorkelled, at low tide on a calm day.

To walk in, AllTrails lists the walk from Betka Beach to Secret Beach as moderate, about 8 km, taking 2 to 2.5 hours. Our Secret Beach and Quarry Beach guide has more on both.

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. Dogs aren't allowed on the walk.

Genoa Falls is about 27 km from Mallacoota, around 25 minutes' drive. It's just off the Princes Highway about 4 km west of Genoa, and a short walk with stairs, about 800 m return, takes you to small falls spilling over wide rock shelves. The turnoff is unmarked, and there's a small unsealed car park with no toilets or picnic tables. Our Genoa Falls guide has the details.

Genoa Peak is currently closed to the public. Before heading there, check parks.vic.gov.au or call Parks Victoria on 13 19 63.

Campgrounds such as Shipwreck Creek and Thurra River are booked through Parks Victoria. Shipwreck Creek has coastal heath and rock platforms, and it's at its best in spring when the wildflowers are out. At Thurra River a forest walk leads to huge sand dunes. Our Croajingolong National Park guide has more walks and camping.

You can stay overnight in the old lightkeepers' cottages on Gabo Island, booked through Parks Victoria. Gabo 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. We can pass on contact details for the Gabo Island boat operators, and our Gabo Island guide lists who runs the trips.

The Mallacoota RSL Bunker Museum is on Airport Road, inside a WWII operations bunker. The bunker was built in 1942 as an RAAF Advanced Operations Base. The museum opens Tuesdays 9:30am to 12pm and Sundays 1 to 3pm. Check ahead. Our Bunker Museum guide has its history.