🔍

Mallacoota

VIC 3892 • Rest of VIC

1,183
Population (2021)
$30,732
Median Income
243.91 km²
Area
$221/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRemoteRetiree-HavenTourist HubBushland

About Mallacoota

Mallacoota is a remote coastal town in Victoria's East Gippsland region, sitting at the edge of Croajingolong National Park approximately 523 kilometres east of Melbourne and close to the New South Wales border. It covers a vast 244 square kilometres of diverse coastal and bushland terrain, with a 2021 Census population of 1,183. The community skews older — the 55-74 age cohorts are the largest — and is dominated by long-term residents, retirees, and sea-changers attracted by the town's extraordinary natural setting around Mallacoota Inlet and its relaxed pace of life.

Mallacoota is one of Victoria's most celebrated wilderness destinations, renowned for boating, fishing, swimming, surfing, birdwatching, and walking the coastal wilderness trails that link it to New South Wales. Mallacoota Inlet provides a sheltered harbour for recreational boating and is surrounded by the World Heritage-listed Croajingolong National Park. The town has a small regional airport serving light aircraft and periodic commercial flights from Melbourne, a supermarket, cafes, and essential services, but its true appeal lies in its spectacular natural environment and the tight-knit community that treasures its isolation.

Mallacoota falls under postcode 3892 and is governed by East Gippsland Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3892
Urban Area
East Gippsland
LGA / Council
East Gippsland
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.52°, 149.83°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
243.91 km²
Elevation
69m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No regular scheduled bus service to Mallacoota — N/A N/A

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
523 km
By Train
No direct train; Bairnsdale is the nearest V/Line rail terminus (approx. 330km west), requiring a further 3-hour drive
By Car (Peak)
Approx. 6-7 hours via Princes Highway (A1)
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx. 5.5-6.5 hours via Princes Highway

🛣️ Mallacoota Airport (XMC) has periodic light aircraft and charter flights; road access via Princes Highway and Mallacoota Road is the primary route

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre is compact and walkable for local errands, but a vehicle is essential for reaching surrounding areas and any travel beyond the town

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$221
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,148
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
59 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.6%

3 state housing + 10 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,063
Census 2021
1,183
▲ 11.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$24,648
Income 2021
$30,732
▲ 24.7% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 906
Born Overseas 198

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 64
  • 2. Germany 16
  • 3. New Zealand 12
  • 4. Ireland 10
  • 5. Netherlands 8
  • 6. South Africa 8
  • 7. United States 8
  • 8. Philippines 7
  • 9. Scotland 7
  • 10. Canada 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 556
Australian 365
Scottish 185
Irish 167
German 81
Dutch 34
Italian 24
New Zealander 20
Chinese 19
Greek 11

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

687
Both parents born in Australia
256
Both parents born overseas
153
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
60.1%
Christianity
27.3%
Buddhism
1.7%
Islam
0.8%
Hinduism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
44 (3.7%)
5-14 years
95 (8.0%)
15-19 years
40 (3.4%)
20-24 years
28 (2.4%)
25-34 years
71 (6.0%)
35-44 years
105 (8.9%)
45-54 years
125 (10.6%)
55-64 years
240 (20.3%)
65-74 years
264 (22.3%)
75-84 years
130 (11.0%)
85+ years
47 (4.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mallacoota known for? +

Mallacoota is known as one of Victoria's premier wilderness destinations, famous for Mallacoota Inlet, Croajingolong National Park, and exceptional opportunities for boating, fishing, surfing, birdwatching, and coastal walking. It is the last official township on Victoria's east coast before the NSW border.

How far is Mallacoota from Melbourne? +

Mallacoota is approximately 523 kilometres east of Melbourne, typically a 5.5 to 7 hour drive via the Princes Highway depending on conditions. There is no direct public transport; a car is essentially the only practical way to get there.

Does Mallacoota have public transport? +

Mallacoota has no regular bus or rail service. The town has a small airport (Mallacoota Airport, XMC) that accommodates light aircraft and periodic charter flights. The nearest V/Line rail terminus is Bairnsdale, approximately 330 kilometres west, requiring an additional 3-hour drive.

What is the population of Mallacoota? +

According to the 2021 Census, Mallacoota has a permanent population of 1,183 people. The community is predominantly older, with the 55-74 age groups being the largest, reflecting its strong appeal to retirees and long-term sea-changers. The population swells significantly during school holidays and summer.

Is Mallacoota a good place to live? +

Mallacoota is ideal for those who cherish remote coastal living surrounded by national park wilderness. Its tight-knit community, spectacular natural environment, and slow pace of life are major drawcards, though residents must be comfortable with limited services, isolation, and the reality that most major shopping and healthcare requires a significant drive.

What is the postcode for Mallacoota? +

The postcode for Mallacoota is 3892.