Secret Beach Mallacoota, Quarry Beach and the Coastal Walk

Drive about 7 km south of town along Betka Road. From there it's a short walk and stairs down to the sand. The stairs were rebuilt and reopened in July 2021. Wear shoes you're happy to take up and down stairs, and carry down what you need for the day.

Betka Beach is on the same road, about five minutes' drive south of town, if you want to make a day of the two.

At low tide, and only then. A sea cave at the northern end of Secret Beach can only be reached safely at low tide. Check the tide times before you drive out and time your visit for the low.

We wouldn't. Secret Beach isn't patrolled, and swimming there can be dangerous because of rough waves and rips. Go for the walk down and the cave, and swim somewhere else.

For a swim, our guide to where to swim in Mallacoota has the other options. Whichever you pick, check beachsafe.org.au on the day. It lists each Mallacoota beach with its hazard rating and live patrol information.

Quarry Beach is about 10 minutes' drive south of town. It's known for colourful rock formations and rock pools. The rock pools are best explored, and snorkelled, at low tide on a calm day, so like the Secret Beach sea cave it's a trip to plan around the tide chart. Bring a mask if you want to look under the surface, and shoes with grip for the rocks.

The Mallacoota Coastal Walk is about 9.5 km one way, so work out how you're getting back before you set off. It suits children and bikes, as do the beach walks and the lake foreshore. Take more water than you think you'll need, a hat and sunscreen. For the other walks around town, see our Mallacoota walks guide.

You can also reach Secret Beach on foot. AllTrails lists the walk from Betka Beach to Secret Beach as moderate, about 8 km, taking 2 to 2.5 hours. Check the weather and the tide before you start, since the Secret Beach sea cave is a low-tide visit. For more on Betka Beach itself, see our Betka Beach guide.

• Tides. The Secret Beach sea cave and the Quarry Beach rock pools are both low-tide trips. Check the tide times the night before.
• Conditions. beachsafe.org.au has each beach's hazard rating and live patrol information.
• Water and food. Take enough for the day, plus a hat and sunscreen.
• Shoes. Something with grip for the Secret Beach stairs and the rocks at Quarry Beach.
• Phones. Phone reception is better on Telstra.