Gabo Island

Rising from the Tasman Sea off Victoria's far east coast, Gabo Island is a wild, wind-scoured granite outcrop that feels a world away from the Hunter Valley's vineyards. Its star attraction is a striking pink-granite lighthouse – the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere at 55 metres – built in 1862 from the island's own stone. Today, the island is a protected nature reserve and a haven for seabirds, especially the world's largest colony of little penguins. Access is limited, making a visit here a true off-the-beaten-path adventure for wildlife enthusiasts and lighthouse lovers.

Highlights & What to See

• Gabo Island Lighthouse: Climb the spiral stairs of this soaring pink-granite tower for panoramic views stretching from Cape Howe to the cliffs of Croajingolong National Park. The keeper's quarters now house a small museum with maritime and natural history displays.
• Little Penguin Colony: At dusk, thousands of little penguins waddle ashore to their burrows – one of the most accessible and spectacular penguin parades in Australia. Bring a red-filtered torch and watch quietly from the designated viewing area.
• Seabird Rookeries: The island's rocky ledges and tussock grass teem with shearwaters, gannets and crested terns. Spring and summer are prime for breeding activity and soaring birdlife.
• Coastal Walking Trail: A 3 km loop circles the island, passing blowholes, sea caves and the wreck of the SS Dandenong (1876). Allow 1–2 hours to take in the raw coastal scenery.
• Snorkelling & Diving: The clear, temperate waters around the island hold kelp forests, weedy sea dragons and colourful sponge gardens. The best spots are off the eastern side, but only in calm conditions.

Suggested Time to Spend

Gabo Island is a day-trip destination from the coastal town of Mallacoota (about 30 km south). Most visitors take a guided tour or charter boat that departs early morning and returns late afternoon – allow a full day to explore the lighthouse, walk the trail and watch the penguin parade at sunset. Overnight stays are not permitted on the island, but you can book accommodation in Mallacoota or camp at nearby Croajingolong National Park.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Croajingolong National Park: A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with pristine beaches, coastal heath and the Thurra River sand dunes – perfect for kayaking, bushwalking and birdwatching.
• Mallacoota: A laid-back lakeside town on the Gippsland Lakes system, offering fishing, boating and the Mallacoota Coastal Walk. Stock up on supplies here before heading to Gabo Island.
• Cape Howe: The easternmost point of mainland Victoria, accessible via a 4WD track from Mallacoota – dramatic cliffs and whale-watching vantage points in winter.
• Nadgee Nature Reserve: A remote coastal wilderness just north of the border in NSW, with superb surf beaches, Aboriginal middens and the Nadgee River estuary.
• Eden: A historic whaling port 80 km north, now a hub for whale-watching cruises, the Eden Killer Whale Museum and the Sapphire Coast marine park.

Please check official sources for current details.