Cape Howe and Mallacoota

Cape Howe and Mallacoota

Cape Howe and Mallacoota

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Cape Howe and Mallacoota

Croajingolong National Park

Blessed with Victoria's warmest winter temperatures and cool ocean breezes in summer, the coastal township of Mallacoota is one of Victoria’s great escapes. Surrounded by the magnificent wilderness of Croajingolong National Park and coastal headland of Cape Howe, this corner of Victoria is just begging to be explored.

There is no better way to enjoy the charm of Mallacoota Inlet than from the water. Bring your own boat, canoe or kayak, or hire from a local provider. The inlet is the perfect escape for fishing enthusiasts and many competitions are held here year round. Catch bream, mulloway, tailor and flathead and cook them on the BBQ.

If fishing isn’t your forte, pack a picnic and cruise the endless expanses of the Top and Bottom Lakes. Spot pelicans, little terns, herons scouting for their next meal, and if you’re lucky, the White-bellied Sea Eagle. Pull up at one of the ten jetties and picnic areas around the lake for a scenic picnic or bbq or refreshing swim.

Things To Do

 
Three friends hike along the coastline at the Cape Howe Wilderness Zone as part of the Wilderness Coast Walk.

Cape Howe Wilderness Zone

Cape Howe Wilderness Zone is part of Croajingolong National Park. It adjoins Nadgee Wilderness Area along the border between Victoria and New South Wales.
The view from Genoa Peak at sunset in the Croajingolong National Park near Mallacoota.

Genoa Peak

North west of Mallacoota, Genoa Peak offers magnificent views of the Wilderness Coast, the Thurra Dunes and Mallacoota Inlet. To access Genoa Peak, a gravel road from the Princes Highway leads to a picnic area, where a walking track provides access to the summit. The walk is 1.5km in length and a moderate level of fitness is required.
Mum and Dad sit around the campfire with their infant son while their three other children play in the background.

Shipwreck Creek

This small campground is set in a tall forest above a small secluded cove which is only a 10 minute walk away. It is an excellent base for walks covering both heathland and coastal scenery.

How to get there

Cape Howe and Mallacoota

Croajingolong National Park is located approximately 450 kilometres east of Melbourne and 500 kilometres south of Sydney. The park is easily accessible from the Princes Highway – with a number of turnoffs to key destinations and attractions.

To access Mallacoota, turn off the Princes Highway at Genoa on to Mallacoota-Genoa Road. Cape Howe is a designated wilderness zone and can only be accessed on foot. For more information on accessing this area contact the Mallacoota Parks Office. Any overnight hikes in the Cape Howe Wilderness needs to be booked via the NSW National Parks Service Merimbula Office.

When to go

Fishing at Mallacoota Inlet is best from December through to early May; however, it is one of the few locations in Victoria where fishing can be enjoyed year-round.

Flathead, whiting, yellowfin, bream and perch are most likely to bite from late spring to autumn. Throughout winter large schools of Black Bream make their way into the estuary. And tailor, salmon and trevally are also known to bit throughout June, July and August.

Need to know

Cape Howe and Mallacoota

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Croajingolong National Park

    Croajingolong National Park information - updated 13 April 2023

    Point Hicks Road is closed south of Bald Hills.

    The following eight areas are closed because of the 2019/2020 bushfires and coastal erosion caused by ongoing heavy rainfall.  Visitors are unable to access the Point Hicks Lighthouse, Thurra River Campground, and nearby walking tracks. Parks Victoria continue to maintain surveillance and security of these areas. Please continue to monitor this site for updates and change of conditions.  

    ·      Point Hicks Lightstation
    ·      Thurra River Bridge
    ·      Thurra River Campground
    ·      Mt Everard Walking Track
    ·      Dunes Track
    ·      Saros Track
    ·      Sledge Track
    ·      West Beach Track
     
    The Wilderness Coast Walk is closed between Bemm River and Wingan Inlet Campground.
     
    The following walking tracks are closed:
    ·      Wingan Inlet Rapids Walk
     
    The following jetties around Mallacoota are closed:
    ·      Kingfish Point
     
    Seasonal road closures generally operate from after the long weekend in June through to the end of October, but many remain closed in areas affected by significant rainfall and flooding across Victoria in late 2022. The following tracks remain closed:
    ·      Swan Lake
    ·      Clinton Rocks Track
    ·      Cicada Trail
    ·      Gale Hill
    ·      Betka Track
    ·      Miners Track
    ·      Lakeview Track
    ·      Howe Flat Track
    ·      Howe Hill Track
    ·      Barracoota Track
    The water supply at Wingan Inlet Campground water trough was damaged by floods. Campers are advised to not rely on the trough for water resupply while camping.

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