Top 10 things to do when visiting Mallacoota for the Wild Harvest Seafood Festival

East Gippsland has something for everyone this coming week. There are markets, music, and adventure on offer. 

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Top 10 things to do when visiting Mallacoota for the Wild Harvest Seafood Festival

Mallacoota has long been known as an idyllic holiday destination, and this it is, but it is also so much more. With a string of beaches as far as the eye can see, bountiful rivers and lakes and the immense Croajingolong National Park there is endless exploring to do.

One

Well obviously book into as many Wild Harvest Seafood festival events as your heart desires then eat yourself silly on delicious seafood and enjoy a local drop or two. After all that its time to head out an explore...

Two

Hire a boat

Buckland Jetty Boat Hire and Mallacoota Hireboats have you covered.

Spend a few hours exploring the Mallacoota inlet, there are more than a dozen Jetties with picnic areas, some with BBQs, scattered around the lake system so if you have some extra time make a day of it and take a BBQ or picnic. Don’t forget your fishing rod! There are plenty of fish in the sea (or should we say lake) and there is nothing better than a fresh Wild Harvest for dinner.

Three

Escape to Gabo Island… if the weather permits.

Not far from the shores of Mallacoota is a small rugged island with a spectacular pink granite lighthouse. Home to little penguins, shearwaters and seals it is a nature lover's paradise. The crystal clear waters of Santa Barbara Bay offer up the ideal snorkeling location complete with sandy beach and Jetty alongside one of Victoria's oldest buildings.

Four

Lucy’s Noodles

It's a Mallacoota institution, selling fresh housemade rice noodles and yum cha. Our top pick (unsurprisingly) is the Rice Noodles with local Abalone but there are plenty of other options to choose from if you’re all seafood'd out after the festival.

Five

Fancy a bit of an adventure?

Then head out and scale the rocky outcrop known as Genoa Peak. A 25 minute drive from the Mallacoota township back out to the Princess Highway is the 3km, medium level walk that takes you to the top of Genoa Peak. With 360 degree views over the Croajingolong National Park all the way to the coast this is a view that is guaranteed to impress.

Six

Want to meet some of the locals?

Then we suggest heading out to the Mallacoota Golf and Country Club and enjoy a round with the resident kangaroos. After a game make sure you stop by the clubhouse for a few frothy ones or even a sneaky cocktail. The views from the new deck out towards Gabo Island promise to make the afternoon disappear as fast as your drink.

Seven

Be sure not to miss Mallacoota’s newest attraction…

The Mallacoota Endemic Garden. Far East Gippsland is considered a biodiversity hotspot, with many rare, endangered, and endemic flora species found nowhere else. Many of these plant species had their entire wild population burnt during the devastating Black Summer fires, and there is real concern that some of these species may not be able to survive another fire of such intensity or increased fire frequency. Thus, the idea of the Mallacoota Endemic Garden (MEG) was born. The endemic garden features 7 garden beds which showcase the seven major vegetation communities in Far East Gippsland and is Victoria’s most easterly Botanic Garden and, as of just recently, the garden is now officially recognised by the “Botanic Gardens of Australia and New-Zealand (BGANZ).

Located on the corner of Allan Drive opposite next door to the bakery.

Eight

Want to be let in on a secret?

Well actually it’s not exactly a secret but Secret Beach is worth the adventure. Follow the road past Betka Beach towards Shipwreck Creek and park at the car park and follow the winding path down to this secluded cove complete with sandy floored cave and stunning rock formations.

Nine

Speaking of all things wild...

Did you know Genoa was home to Tetrapods? The first animals to evolve on land from water around 380 million years ago. That's right our very own dinosaurs! Check out the sculpture hiding on the giant rock at the Genoa playground. While you’re there take a walk across the historic trestle bridge that has been recently re-erected after the Black Summer fires, then enjoy a picnic or BBQ in the reserve or splash about in the Genoa River.

Ten

A swim at Betka Beach

A holiday to Mallacoota wouldn’t be complete without taking a dip in the ocean, or in this case the inlet. The ever changing entrance to the Betka River is a much loved swimming hole for visitors and locals alike. The calm waters of the inlet offer sheltered conditions for families and those looking to float around without a care in the world. While an ocean swim beacons from the other side of the beach. There is also a short River-loop Walk which is well worth a look. Take in the cliff top views and enjoy a river-side meander before returning to the grassy BBQ and picnic area alongside the river mouth.

Thanks to Wild Harvest Seafood Festival for sharing this information.