Walks in Mallacoota: Double Creek, Betka and the Coastal Walk

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, so walk quietly and keep looking up. Dogs aren't allowed on the Double Creek walk, so leave yours at the house.

The Betka Beach loop track is an easy walk of about 2.2 km with river, heath and ocean views. Betka Beach is about five minutes' drive south of town along Betka Road, and it has a grassy area, picnic tables, gas barbecues and toilets.

If you want a longer day on foot, you can walk on to Secret Beach. AllTrails lists the walk from Betka Beach to Secret Beach as moderate, about 8 km, taking 2 to 2.5 hours. Secret Beach isn't patrolled, and swimming there can be dangerous because of rough waves and rips. Our Betka Beach guide has more on the beach and the lagoon, and our guide to Secret Beach, Quarry Beach and the Coastal Walk has more on Secret Beach.

The Mallacoota Coastal Walk is about 9.5 km one way, so work out how you're getting back before you set off. Like the beach walks and the lake foreshore, it suits children and bikes. Take more water than you think you'll need, a hat and sunscreen, and check the weather on the morning you go.

The foreshore path is paved and flat, good for prams and scooters, and the lake foreshore suits children and bikes. There's a playground on the foreshore near the wharf.

No bike with you? Mallacoota Hireboats hires out bikes as well as boats and kayaks. It's at 10 Buckland Drive, open seven days, 7:30am to 6pm, on 0474 818 058. Our boat hire guide has its boat and kayak prices.

If you wade into the inlet's shallows, look where you're walking: stingrays are common over the inlet's sand flats.

The Wilderness Coast Walk runs about 100 km, from Sydenham Inlet in Croajingolong to Wonboyn in NSW's Nadgee Nature Reserve. It usually takes 8 to 10 days. Campgrounds such as Shipwreck Creek and Thurra River are booked through Parks Victoria. Our Croajingolong National Park guide has more on the park, the campgrounds and what to sort out before you go.

Genoa Falls is about 27 km from Mallacoota, around 25 minutes' drive. It's a short walk with stairs, about 800 m return, to small falls spilling over wide rock shelves. Genoa Peak in Croajingolong is currently closed to the public. Before heading to Genoa Peak, check parks.vic.gov.au or call Parks Victoria on 13 19 63. Our Genoa Falls guide has the unmarked turnoff and the rest.

Dogs aren't allowed on the Double Creek walk, and they aren't permitted at Genoa Falls. Dogs aren't allowed in most Victorian national parks, and Parks Victoria doesn't list Croajingolong among its dog-friendly parks. Assistance dogs are welcome, with entry requirements. For staying in Mallacoota with a dog, see our pet-friendly holiday homes: 15 of our 17 houses take dogs.