On a clear winter's day, I set out on Mallacoota’s Coastal Walking Track, starting at Shipwreck Beach. The track, with its sweeping ocean views and rugged terrain, promised a day of adventure. My goal was to locate a hidden sinkhole I’d previously discovered using my drone—a vast natural wonder about 30 metres by 20 metres wide and 20 metres deep, where waves crash into it through a 40-metre coastal tunnel.
The sound of the ocean grew louder as I left the main track, following the animal trails that led me closer to the coast. Realising the sinkhole was not immediately visible, I launched my drone to scout the area. I first flew north, back towards Shipwreck Beach, but found nothing. Then I turned south, and there it was—the sinkhole, an impressive sight hidden within the rugged landscape. Knowing where it was, I decided to try and reach it on foot.
With the sinkhole in my sights, I headed along the coast, then turned slightly inland, determined to see this natural marvel up close. As I moved forward, the scrub thickened, and the terrain became increasingly challenging. The sound of the waves crashing into the sinkhole spurred me on, but the undergrowth grew too dense to continue directly. Reluctantly, I had to abandon my attempt and turn back toward the main track.
As I made my way back, a large red-bellied black snake basking in the winter sun stopped me in my tracks. Its sleek, black body, streaked with vibrant red, was both beautiful and a bit startling against the earth. I was thankful this encounter happened on the open trail and not in the dense scrub, where I might not have seen it until it was too late.
Continuing on, I spotted two white-breasted sea eagles hovering effortlessly in the easterly coastal breeze, their sharp eyes scanning the land below. These magnificent birds, suspended in mid-air, seemed to keep a watchful eye over the rugged coastline. Their presence added a majestic touch to the already wild and untamed landscape.
The trail eventually led to a steep descent down to Seal Beach. The climb down was tricky, but the sight of the tranquil beach below made it worthwhile. I took a moment to rest on the soft sand, soaking in the serene beauty of the cove. The waves gently lapped at the shore, and for a while, I simply sat and listened to the rhythm of the ocean. The sea eagles were still visible, now mere silhouettes against the sky, adding to the sense of peace that filled the secluded spot.
After resting at Seal Beach, I began the return journey, heading back along the trail. The coast continued to reveal its rugged beauty, but nature wasn’t done with surprises just yet. Not far from the beach, I encountered another large red-bellied black snake, also basking in the sun. It quickly slithered away as I approached, a reminder of how the trail is shared with the local wildlife.
As I continued on my way back to Shipwreck Creek Camping Grounds, a third snake crossed my path, making it clear that this was their territory. Each one had been a striking encounter, a reminder of the raw, untamed nature that defines this landscape.
After four hours of exploration and discovery, I returned to my starting point, the adventure fresh in my mind. The day had been one of contrasts—majestic sea eagles in the sky, hidden sinkholes in the earth, and serpents sunning themselves on the trail. Mallacoota had once again revealed its wild and wonderful secrets, making it a winter’s day well spent.
The ocean calls, the trail invites, where hidden paths entwine,
A sinkhole waits in secret, where the waves carve out the line.
Through thickening scrub and rugged ground, I sought to reach my goal,
But nature’s wild embrace held fast, redirecting my soul.
Three snakes upon the sunlit path, their scales in shadows sleek,
But quick they slid, no threat to me, their presence wild and unique.
Oh, Mallacoota’s winter trails, where every step reveals,
The beauty fierce, the untamed wild, that nature here conceals.