Mallacoota Wildlife: Where to See Kangaroos, Lyrebirds and Penguins

The table sums it up. The sections below have the detail for each one.

Kangaroos graze on the golf course and around the airport. Out in Croajingolong National Park you might also see swamp wallabies, wombats and goannas.

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 slowly and look up now and then. Dogs aren't allowed on the Double Creek walk. Our Croajingolong National Park guide covers it alongside the other short walks near town.

Around 307 bird species have been recorded in the immediate Mallacoota region. The inlet has white-bellied sea eagles, pelicans, black swans, cormorants and azure kingfishers. Double Creek Arm is a sheltered arm of the inlet, good for a sunrise paddle among overhanging trees and birdlife.

Mallacoota Hireboats hires kayaks, with single kayaks from $30. It's at 10 Buckland Drive, open seven days, 7:30am to 6pm; ring 0474 818 058. Our kayaking guide has more on where to paddle.

If you'd rather someone else steer, Dale runs guided birdwatching cruises on the inlet, booked through Mallacoota Cruise & Eco Tours. See our birdwatching cruises guide.

Stingrays are common over the inlet's sand flats, so look where you're walking in shallow water. It's worth telling the kids before they go wading.

Dolphins and seals turn up from time to time near the inlet mouth, most often early in the morning.

Humpback and southern right whales pass Mallacoota on migration, heading north in winter and south with calves in spring. Bastion Point and the coastal headlands are good lookouts, and Bastion Point's beach, lookouts and boat ramp are all open again. Our whale watching guide covers the season in more detail.

Critically endangered swift parrots cross from Tasmania in winter to feed in flowering gums.

Water dragons are often seen at Genoa Falls in warm weather. The falls are just off the Princes Highway about 4 km west of Genoa, a short walk with stairs, about 800 m return. The rocks can be slippery, and there are no toilets or picnic tables. Dogs aren't permitted. Directions are in our Genoa Falls guide.

Gabo Island sits about 14 km from Mallacoota, 500 m off the Croajingolong coast. On Gabo you see the lighthouse, sometimes little penguins, and fur seals on nearby Little Gabo. Treat the penguins as a bonus rather than a promise.

You reach Gabo by boat or light plane, weather permitting, and you have to book. You can't just turn up. The operators and prices are in our Gabo Island guide.

Visit Gippsland counts over 70 native wildflower species, 52 mammal species and 250 bird species in Croajingolong National Park. You might see lyrebirds, goannas, swamp wallabies, sea eagles and wombats in the park.

Dogs aren't allowed on the Double Creek walk or at Genoa Falls, and Parks Victoria doesn't list Croajingolong among its dog-friendly parks. Bring tick protection for dogs. Our guide to bringing your dog to Mallacoota has the rest. 15 of the 17 houses take dogs, and our pet-friendly page lists them.