Shipwreck Creek

This is a 45 minute drive from Mallacoota. Drive down Betka Road past the aerodrome and follow Centre Track, then left into Betka Track and finally turn left to the Old Coast Road to the camp. These tracks are narrow and steep in places and unsealed. (PLEASE CHECK WITH NATIONAL PARKS OFFICE to see if the road is open especially in winter). They can be slippery after heavy rain and are definitely not suitable for caravans.

This can also be a walk if preferred. Drive to the aerodrome and leave your car, follow the Old Coast Track 2 hour walk each way. Lovely spot to take a picnic lunch and spend the day, you will find large coastal plains, scenic views and abundant wild flowers in season. You may see the rare ground parrot. Shipwreck Creek is ideal for paddling, but the surf beach is suitable only for experience swimmers.

Genoa Peak (490m)

Drive to Genoa turn left at the Princes Highway. After 2 kms you will see clearly marked a sign GENOA PEAK. This access road from the highway leads to a picnic area 1 km from the summit, which is reached by a walking track. The last 100 metres is a fairly steep climb. There are three steel ladders to take you to the summit where there are magnificent views of Mallacoota Inlet, the ocean and surrounding country. Be sure to choose a clear day. If you have young children be sure they do not wander away from the track. You will see many wild flowers in the spring.

Wallagaraugh Forest Drive

This is a great day trip. Take a barbecue lunch and enjoy the view or take a stroll along the rainforest walking tracks. Wallagaraugh Forest Drive, in the Nadgee State Forest commences 29 kilometres south of Eden, on the Princes Highway. The exceptional ability of Australian trees to regrow after severe bushfires is graphically illustrated on this drive. There was a severe bushfire through it in 1952, and almost all of it was burnt in November 1980, in a major fire, which ran through 45,000 hectares of it. After 4 kms, there is a lovely ferny glade where a picnic/barbecue area with toilets has been established. Only 1 kilometre north of the Victorian State border, there is a lookout, at 300m above sea level, which gives a spectacular view. In the distance is Croajingolong National Park, with the towns of Mallacoota and Gipsy Point and the ocean coastline. Picnic facilities are available here also, and then following Mines and Maxwell’s roads, the Princes Highway is reached, turn left and back to Mallacoota.

Boydtown-Eden-Merimbula

This is an interesting trip when the weather is not so good. Eden is an hour’s drive, 85 kilometres, and Merimbula, one and a half hour’s drive, approximately 110 kilometres.

There are several more drives and walks available, we suggest you check with the National Parks office for these. Some of the walks would apply to experienced bush walkers only. National Parks office, phone (03) 5158 0263.

Croajingolong National Park

Walks of Mallacoota Inlet

All tracks mentioned are suitable for young families, except for Buckland’s Jetty, Captains Creek Jetty to Double Creek walk.

1. Allan Head to Cemetery Bight
   1 hour, 2 km one way. Gentle to moderate grades, the track follows the lakeshore before rising to the old bush cemetery where several of the early pioneers of the district are buried. Only one grave is now marked, the rest have been obscured by fire and time. It is now only a short walk down to the beach at Cemetery Bight.
2. Buckland’s Jetty to Captains Creek
   2½ hours, 8 km one way. Track follows the shoreline for over half the distance. Easy walking.
3. Captains Creek Jetty to Mallacoota Road
   1 hour, 3 km one way. Gentle grades.
4. Mallacoota Road to Buckland’s Jetty via Karbethong Road
   1 hour, 4 km one way. Gentle grades.
5. Captains Creek Jetty to Double Creek
   1 hour, 4 km one way. Short sections of this track are steep and others can be muddy in wet weather. A round trip can be made from walks 2, 3 and 4 or a day walk from walks 2 and 5 returning along the Mallacoota/Genoa Road.
6. Double Creek Arm
   45 minutes, 2 km return. An easy walk, this track follows the creek through tall strands of paper-bark to the lakeshore.
7. Double Creek Nature Walk
   30 minutes, 1 km round trip. Starts at the Double Creek picnic area about 8 km from Mallacoota. The loop track passes through a rainforest gully and along the dry forested slope lined with tall old eucalypts and back to its starting point.
8. Sandy Point Track
   2 km along this track, a walking track leads to Pipeclay Point 45 minutes, 2 km one way, and Quambie Point 90 minutes, 4 km one way. Moderate grades.

In addition there are several fire protection tracks around the inlet which provide good walking.