Situated no more than three hours from Melbourne in the beautiful holiday region of East Gippsland, the Marlo Ocean Views Caravan and Camping Park is the ideal place to use as a fishing base or for a family holiday to explore everything this area has to offer.

Marlo is most probably better known as the place where the Snowy River meets the ocean. The town has a general store, café/tackle shop and the historic Marlo Hotel. The Marlo Ocean Views Caravan and Camping Park is only a minute further along Marine Parade on the left hand side.

First impressions for me have always been important. The view of the mouth of the Snowy River through the trees from the deck of the office instantly had me won; I was jumping out of my skin, ready to enjoy the park and what Marlo had to offer.

The park is set on 13 acres of land. It has 250 sites, ranging from cabins with en suites, on site vans (4 with en suites) to powered and unpowered sites. To complement these, there are two large amenities areas, two undercover BBQ areas, a kitchen, kiosk and coffee shop. Add to that a large oval and playground and you have a place that you or you and the family can relax and enjoy.

The park is also pet friendly (conditions apply), so your beloved four legged friend can enjoy it with you as well.

On our visit we were land-based and were impressed with the quality and variety of fishing available. A short drive into town and the Marlo boat ramp offers the option of fishing from the jetty or foreshore there. Plenty of bream, silver trevally and other bread and butter species are consistently caught here.

A short drive in the opposite direction was the option we took and I was simply blown away. French Narrows is a board walk leading from a small car park crosses a coastal reserve and where this ends, you are met by a lagoon, which is an offshoot of the main Snowy River. Five casts into the trip and a large flathead decided my plastic would make a good meal.

No net, light leader and a big fish was the recipe for 4-5 minutes of great fun chasing this fish up and down the shoreline, before I finally was able to grab the leader and land 71cm of flathead.

The next day was full of sight casting to bream with small hardbodied lures, as well as another big flatty.

If beach fishing is your preference, there is magnificent beach a short walk beyond the lagoon we fished. We had a brief look at it and there were plenty of signs that the fishing would be good.

The Snowy estuary system really lends itself to small craft fishing. A tinny or even better a kayak would be ideal ways to explore the maze of channels and lakes of the system.

The Snowy River bar is relatively safe and there are a number of local reefs that fish well. Shark, yellowtail kingfish and snapper are regular catches in addition to good flathead grounds close to the mouth.

Kathy and Les, the owners of the park, and Kathy showed us a photo of a very large flathead caught from the foreshore only a short walk from the park.

Why drive anywhere when you can walk.

The park and Marlo is a great base to explore the East Gippsland area. Within an hour you can visit Mallacoota to the north or Metung, Lake Entrance or Paynesville to the south. Or you can simply have a swim, a surf or just relax in Marlo.

The general store in town offers the basic necessities to keep you going as well as fuel.

The local tackle store is also a café, and the owners are all to happy to point you in the right direction for a fish. The Marlo Hotel (including bottle shop) is a great place for a meal and has some wonderful history on its walls.

Marlo and the Marlo Ocean Views Caravan and Camping Park is be a great place to visit at any time of the year. It is highly popular during the major holiday periods; however the size of the park ensures a safe and enjoyable holiday for everybody.

Our visit was at the end of autumn, and it was beautiful, quiet, and fantastic. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Booking and enquiries can be made by calling (03) 5154 8268 or via the web at www.marlocamping.com.au