Mallacoota for Teenagers: Kayaks, Surfing, Walks and Skating

Mallacoota Hireboats is family-run and has been going since 2012. Grant Cockburn hires out kayaks, SUPs, bikes and pedal boats as well as power boats. A single kayak is $50 for a half day (4 hours) or $75 for a full day (8 hours), and a double kayak is $70 and $110. Short hires start with single kayaks from $30. No boat licence is needed for the kayaks, SUPs or power boats. A licence is needed for Kermit and the Inlet Barbie.

Hireboats is at 10 Buckland Drive, with the jetty at M38 Coulls Inlet, open seven days, 7:30am to 6pm. Phone 0474 818 058. We don't know Hireboats' age rules for hiring, so ask when you ring, and plan on an adult making the booking.

Double Creek Arm is a sheltered arm of the inlet, good for a sunrise paddle among overhanging trees and birdlife. The Narrows join Mallacoota's Top Lake and Bottom Lake. The inlet has white-bellied sea eagles, pelicans, black swans, cormorants and azure kingfishers. Our kayaking guide has more on where to paddle.

Bastion Point sits at the mouth of Mallacoota Inlet, and it's still used for surfing and boat launching. Its beach, lookouts and boat ramp are all open again. The Surf Shack hires surfboards and runs surf lessons, handy if they haven't brought a board or haven't surfed before.

Betka Beach's ocean side has surf, rocks and currents. Secret Beach isn't patrolled, and swimming there can be dangerous because of rough waves and rips. Before anyone goes in, check beachsafe.org.au, which lists each Mallacoota beach with its hazard rating and live patrol information. Our swimming guide covers the calmer water.

The sea cave at the northern end of Secret Beach can only be reached safely at low tide, so check the tide chart before you set off. Secret Beach is about 7 km south of town along Betka Road, then a short walk and stairs down to the sand. Our Secret Beach and Coastal Walk guide has the details.

If they're after a climb, the Genoa Peak walk is about 2 km return with a steep climb to a summit lookout, but Genoa Peak is currently closed to the public. The Genoa Falls and Genoa Peak guide has the latest, and our walks guide has the rest.

Kids can fish off the jetties and the Main Wharf, in sheltered water with no boat needed. The Main Wharf is at the northern end of Buckland Drive, just down from the Bakery and Scallywags, with a public boat ramp and fish-cleaning tables.

A Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence is needed for fresh and saltwater fishing, but under-18s are among the exemptions. Anyone older fishing with them can buy one online. Tackle and bait can be found at the Caltex & BP service station as well as IGA, and Hireboats hires fishing rods at $10 a day. Our fishing guide covers what's biting.

There's a skate park near the oval behind Foodworks. For food, Mallacoota Bakery opens early for pies, pasties, bread and coffee, and there's often a queue in summer. Cafe 54, at 54 Maurice Avenue, is open year-round, seven days, for breakfast and lunch, with burgers, steak sandwiches and lasagne at lunch. Phone 03 5158 0646.

Phone reception is better on Telstra, which is worth knowing before anyone heads off without you.