Mallacoota Beach
Tourism Victoria

Highlights

Lakes Entrance

Lakes Entrance, at the head of the lakes, is a great base for fishing and boating, and offers accommodation at all levels. For a holiday afloat, book a self-drive cruiser from nearby Metung. There are several wineries in the area – Wyanga Park Winery offers a lakes cruise from town to its cellar door and restaurant.

Mallacoota

Surrounded by the remote ocean beaches, estuarine waterways and unspoiled bush of Croajingolong National Park, this old-fashioned resort offers one of the best nature-based holidays in the state, with excellent fishing, walking, boating and swimming. Hire a boat in town and explore Mallacoota Inlet.

Snowy River National Park

The much-celebrated Snowy River begins as a trickle near Mt Kosciuszko and passes through wild limestone gorges and forest country before reaching a coastal lagoon. McKillops Bridge (via Buchan) is a beautiful area with camping and barbecue facilities, swimming spots, and some good short walks.

Large lakes and a long beach

The Gippsland Lakes are fed by five major rivers and contained on the coastal side by Ninety Mile Beach. At the system’s centre, the waterbound Lakes National Park offers birdwatching, walking, swimming and camping. Access is via boat from Paynesville or road and foot from Loch Sport.

Buchan Caves Reserve

This spectacular limestone cave system is comprised of more than 350 caves, of which the Royal and Fairy caves are the most accessible. Fairy Cave alone is over 400 metres long, with impressive and elaborate stalactites and stalagmites, while Royal Cave impresses with pretty calcite-rimmed pools. Tours of both caves are run daily. After exploring the caves, you can cool off in a spring-fed swimming pool.

Focus On: Fishing

Fishing is a huge drawcard in East Gippsland. Fish for trout in the mountain streams and rivers – such as the Delegate River – or head for the coast. The lakes, rivers and inlets around Paynesville, Marlo, Bemm River and Mallacoota are great for bream, trevally and flathead. Boat-angling is the best choice here, although land-based angling also yields results. Ninety Mile Beach and the remote beaches of The Lakes National Park provide some of the best surf-fishing in Victoria, with salmon, tailor and flathead among the prospects.