The beautiful Mallacoota Inlet, with its shimmering lakes, rivers, pristine forests and turquoise sea lapping quiet beaches captivates everyone who holidays here and urges them to "come back again". Surrounded by the magnificent Croajingolong National Park, Mallacoota is one of the most relaxing places imaginable. With never a sense of holiday crowds, the Top Lake, Bottom Lake, little inlets, cliffs, beaches and mountains reveal innumerable places to explore, boat, fish, walk or simply sit and watch the birds, animals, flora and sunsets.

Gabo Island is about 16 Km NNE of, and can be seen from Mallacoota - a boat-ride or just a short flight away. It has one of the oldest lighthouses in Australia - no wonder with the major shipping routes passing so close. The original prefabricated 20 foot high wooden tower was completed in 1853 and the current dressed red granite tower was built in 1862. The height of the tower is 47 metres (2nd highest in Australia) with the range of the main light is 25 nautical miles. The airstrip was built on Gabo Island in 1973-74, prior to which there was only sea access.

Karbeethong is an area of Mallacoota overlooking the Bottom Lake. The name "Karbeethong" is derived from the indigenous name for "moonlight over the water". The lake reflects some beautiful images day and night, especially early morning, dusk and during the phase of the full moon.

There are numerous beautiful beaches along this part of coast. The mouth of the Betka River provides safe swimming in the shallows for children, good fishing and has facilities for a picnic or BBQ. Other nearby beaches are also popular for swimming, surfing and walking.

On the edge of the Croajingolong National Park, Mallacoota has excellent opportunities to observe a diverse range of wildlife. Sit still for a moment and you can't help but feel like the bush is alive with birds, animals and a myriad of flora.

Arguably some of Australia's most predictable mobs of kangaroos reside in the Mallacoota district - Gipsy Point, Mallacoota Golf Course, near the Pony Club and other areas.

Mallacoota is on the banks of an extensive lake system, which provides excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, boating, fishing, bushwalking or just relaxing. The Bottom Lake, Top Lake, Maramingo Creek, Genoa River, Wallagaraugh River and the Betka River systems give endless pleasure. Mallacoota is a true year-round destination, with Victoria's warmest winter temperatures and cooling breezes fresh from the ocean in summer.

There are few places in the world with such an extraordinary diversity of landscapes ... pure white sandy beaches, rocky coastal headlands, granite peaks, rambling heathlands, lush rainforests and towering eucalypts. Croajingolong's landscapes and ecosystems are so valuable that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has nominated it a World Biosphere Reserve. More than 300 species of birds and more than 1,000 plant species flourish here, and so it's an absolute paradise for bushwalking and birdwatching. Here are some fungi in the forest.

There are 305 Kms of lake shoreline in the Top and Bottom Lake system for you to relax fishing, exploring and meandering. Throughout the system there are jetties with gas and wood BBQs.

Bastion Point is the premier break of far East Gippsland. It's unique through its ability to have surfable waves on such a wide variety of winds, from a northley through to a south westerly buster. Always worth checking out. If it's too small and the wind is from the north east to north west, good waves can be found at Tip Beach or Davis Creek Beach.