Victoria (Melbourne Region)
Mallacoota
MALLACOOTA is a holiday resort actually within the Croajingolong National Park, on the lake system of the Mallacoota Inlet. It’s approached via Genoa, 47km east from Cann River along the Princes Highway. About 10km from Genoa, a turn-off to the left leads to Gipsy Point, an idyllic spot near the confluence of the Genoa and Wallagaraugh rivers on the upper reaches of the Mallacoota Inlet; it’s a fine place to spend a blissful day or two.
Your logical first step on arriving in Mallacoota itself is to head for the Mallacoota Information Service, 57 Maurice Ave (Christmas–Easter daily 8.30am–7.30pm; rest of the year Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–noon). Natural Adventures, Shop 3, Lincoln Lane (tel 03/5158 0166), a tour company with an emphasis on wilderness adventures, makes the natural attractions of the surrounding area more accessible. 

Activities range from 4WD tours, guided walks, and kayaking on the lakes and rivers of Croajingolong National Park and the ocean offshore. Rankins Hire Cruises (tel 03/5158 0555) arranges leisurely cruises via Bottom Lake and Top Lake and Wallagaraugh River up to the New South Wales border, or you can explore on your own by renting a boat or canoe from Buckland’s Jetty Boat Hire (tel 03/5158 0660). The Parks Victoria office, on the corner of Allan and Buckland drives (tel 03/5158 0219), has details of secluded camping spots and local bushwalks.

During the summer Mallacoota, although seemingly remote, teems with avid holiday-makers, the most conspicuous of which are teenagers making use of their first cars to get a taste of freedom. Mallacoota’s small population of just over a thousand trebles again for the Easter “Carnival in Coota” arts festival, which includes all sorts of music, theatre and comedy, a community market, and fascinating sand sculptures.

Practicalities
Several accommodation options are located outside Mallacoota (and away from the summer crowds): try the friendly B&B Mareeba Lodge, 59 Mirrabooka Rd. Mudbrick houses have really caught on here. One of the trendsetters was Peter Kurz, owner of the Adobe Flats at 17 Karbeethong Ave, Karbeethong, 4km northwest of town; these cosy mudbrick apartments boast beautiful views of Bottom Lake and are located in an area teeming with birdlife. In Mallacoota itself, just behind the Mallacoota Hotel is the pleasant YHA hostel, Mallacoota Lodge, which has accommodation in renovated motel units.

Choices for food are very limited. Naomi’s Gourmet Deli, next to the newsagent on Allan Drive, does light meals and serves good coffee, while the Tide Bistro, on Maurice Avenue, is probably the best place in town for dinner. Otherwise, counter meals are served at the Mallacoota Hotel nearby. Other distractions include bands at the Mallacoota Hotel every night in January, and a summer cinema at the Mallacoota Community Centre, Allen Drive. Bank of Melbourne, the only bank, is at 58 Maurice Ave (Mon–Fri 9.30am–12.30pm & 1.30–3.30pm), but there are EFTPOS facilities at the Mobil service station and the supermarket.

Gipsy Point, about 20km northwest, has the friendly Gipsy Point Motel & Apartments, set in a garden by the Wallagaraugh River; it has accommodation in attractive en-suite rooms or new apartments, and serves counter meals. The Gipsy Point Lodge, nearby on McDonald Street, has B&B rooms and cottages and arranges bird-watching and bushwalking excursions.