The Gold Coast has landbased fishing for everyone from big-fish chasers to family fishos looking for a safe place for kids to wet a line.

Those targeting mulloway, tailor and sharks should try the Gold Coast seaway area, where the entrance rock walls and nearby sand-pumping jetty produce big fish.

There is a public park just inside the seaway entrance that has rock walls and good fishing.

You’ll need appropriate gear to fish the seaway and jetty as the rocks are large and the jetty is high.

Strong currents flow through the seaway.

The sheltered waters of the Gold Coast inside the islands include a labyrinth of canals off the rivers, with many public parks that give easy access to bream fishing, with flathead, whiting, mangrove jacks , luderick, tailor, mulloway, cod, trevally also caught.

The shallow areas of sand around the Broadwater are famous for dusky flathead and sand whiting, but there’s also squid, flounder, bream and tailor.

Landbased fishing tends to be best on bigger tides.

In the canals, spots around tidal restrictions that produce mixed currents are often good fish-holding areas.

Use fresh bait and light tackle in Gold Coast waterways.

Night fishing can be particularly productive, as boat traffic is reduced and the fish are less cautious.

Lure fishing works, using small soft plastics and hardbodied lures.

Mulloway, mangrove jacks , tailor, bream, flathead, cod, trevally and even the occasional barramundi all take lures within the Gold Coast’s sheltered waters.

Some folk chase sand whiting with tiny lures.

Here’s a select few Gold Coast landbased spots to try.

Coomera river landbased fishing spots

Coomera River fishing deck, De Barnett Street and Esplanade, Coomera (See on Google Maps) – this 150m long dedicated fishing deck lies under four bridges, and the pylons form a giant artficial reef within casting distance. Anything can turn up here but good luck landing big fish as the pylons provide an effective refuge. There is nearby parking, and the deck has some shade. Bream, mangrove jacks , flathead, luderick, salmon-tailed catfish.

Coomera River Causeway Park, Brittany Drive and Old Tamborine Rd, Oxenford (See on Google Maps) – this park is situated next to a rockfill barrier that separates tidal water from fresh. The park has a manmade foreshore rockwall and adjacent rocky foreshore, with lawns. Best during the week and at night. There is a playground, barbecue and picnic shelters, making it a good family fishing spot.

Coomera River bridges, Heathwood Drive, Oxenford – extensive pylon structure is fishable from shore. Bream, luderick, flathead, mangrove jacks , cod. There is nearby parking, and a boat ramp, so week day and night fishing is better.

John Siganto Park, 2 Gawler Place, Upper Coomera (See on Google Maps) – bream and mangrove jacks are a good chance here. Better on week days with less boating traffic. There is nearby parking, with a boat ramp, fishing platform, rock foreshore, playground and barbecues.

Banksia Park, 21 Crescent Avenue, Hope Island (See on Google Maps) – One of the better tidal canal locations just off the lower Coomera River, but better on week days when there is less boating traffic. Expect bream, mangrove jacks , flathead, trevally, moses perch, luderick. There is nearby parking, with a manufactured rock foreshore, barbecues and toilets.

Coombabah Creek Weir, Coombabah, Myola Court, Coombabah (See on Google Maps) – this is an interesting fishing spot where the creek flows into Coombabah Lake outlet, which joins the lower Coomera River. flathead, mangrove jacks and bream. There is nearby parking, with the concrete structure fishable on foot.

Nerang River landbased fishing spots

The river has many bankside parks and reserves that make for an easy fishing experience. Reserves located next to structure such as bridges or bottlenecks that create tidal rips are often the best spots, but fish move through the river with the tide and be caught almost anywhere.

This is not an exhaustive list, but includes some of the better locations.

Sundale Bridge, Gold Coast Highway and Waterways Drive, Main Beach – this spot has nearby parking, sandy foreshore, nearby bridge pylons, boat ramp. The pylons can be fished from north and south banks. Best on week days and/or at night on big tides. Mainly bream, luderick, tarpon, trevally, grunter, school mulloway.

Pelican Beach, Waterways Drive, Main Beach – this spot has nearby parking, a sand foreshore, and toilets. Its location on the lower Nerang River can be busy, but big fish pass through here. Best fished at night during the week. flathead, whiting, bream, luderick with chance of mulloway.

Bill And Ursula Birmingham Park, Nerang Connection Road, Nerang – this spot has nearby parking. There is a rocky river bank, and it is near shops and transport. This is a nice spot on the upper tidal Nerang River, with mainly bream, grunter, tarpon and mangrove jacks caught. Prolonged heavy rain will push fish downstream into the lower reaches.

Arthur Earle Park, Nerang Connection Road, Nerang – this spot has nearby parking. There is a rock foreshore, boat ramp, skate park, toilets and transport. Another nice spot on the upper tidal Nerang River, with mainly bream, grunter, tarpon and mangrove jacks . Prolonged heavy rain will push fish downstream into the lower reaches. Best on week days and at night.

Budds Beach Reserve, River Drive, Surfers Paradise – this spot has nearby parking, a sandy foreshore, boat ramp, toilets, taps, playground, barbecues, transport and is near shops. This lower Nerang River location is a handy sheltered spot within Surfers Paradise. Casting from the beach produces mainly flathead, bream and whiting.

Remembrance Drive Reserve, Remembrance Drive, Surfers Paradise – nearby parking, rocky foreshore, bridge pylons, near shops and transport. One of the better landbased location on the Nerang River. Fish the pylons on big tides and at night.

Via Roma Reserve, 2a Amalfi Drive, Surfers Paradise – nearby parking, rock foreshore, bridge pylons, near shops and transport. One of the better landbased location on the Nerang River. Fish the pylons on big tides and at night.

Tranquility Park, 2 Kawana Crescent, Ashmore – nearby parking, manmade rock foreshore, playground. Bream fishing into the Nerang River.

Pidd Family Park, 21 Carrara Road, Carrara – nearby parking, rock foreshore, boat ramp. Bream fishing into the Nerang River.

Sir Bruce Small Park, 407 Benowa Road, Benowa – nearby parking, manmade rocky foreshore, playground. Bream fishing into the Nerang River.

Bruce Park, 165 Sir Bruce Small Boulevard, Benowa – nearby parking, manmade rock foreshore. Bream fishing into the Nerang River.

Campbell Street Reserve, 1 Campbell St, Bundall – nearby parking, rock foreshore, playground. Bream fishing into the Nerang River.

Waterview Crescent Reserve, 15 Waterview Crescent, Bundall – nearby parking, sand foreshore. Bream fishing into the Nerang River.

Neddy Harper Park, 2840 Gold Coast Hwy, Surfers Paradise – nearby parking, rock foreshore, playground, toilets, near shops and transport. Good fishing location on the Nerang River, flathead, bream, occasional mangrove jacks .

John Fraser Memorial Park, 14 Remembrance Drive, Surfers Paradise – nearby parking, rocky foreshore, near shops and transport. Fish the entrance rip into the Nerang River on big tides.

Watson Esplanade Reserve, Watson Esplanade, Surfers Paradise – nearby parking, long sandy beach, near shops and transport. Canal offshoot of the Nerang River that is a great place to walk the beach and cast for flathead.

Furlong Street Park, Furlong Street and Rio Vista Boulevard, Broadbeach Waters – nearby parking, manmade rock foreshore. Bream fishing into the Nerang River.

Monaco Street Reserve, 88 Monaco Street, Broadbeach Waters – nearby parking, rock foreshore, pylons. Great bream and luderick spot on big tides.

Sunset Boulevard Park, Sunset Boulevard, Surfers Paradise – nearby parking, rocky foreshore. Bream fishing into the Nerang River.

Korman Family Park, 183 Stanhill Drive, Surfers Paradise – nearby parking, fishing platform, rock foreshore, playground, taps, toilets, near shops and transport. Bream fishing into the Nerang River.

Harry Bond Park, Regatta Parade, Southport – nearby parking, long sandy beach, playground, taps, near transport. Great place to walk, wade and cast lures for flathead.

Wells Street Reserve, Regatta Parade and Wells Street, Southport – nearby parking, rock foreshore, near transport. Bream fishing into the Nerang River.

Darrambal Street Reserve, Darrambal Street and Stanhill Drive, Surfers Paradise – nearby parking, manmade rock foreshore. Near shops and transport. Limited fishing area. Bream fishing into the Nerang River.

Southport Broadwater landbased fishing spots

Doug Jennings Park, Gold Coast Broadwater, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach – nearby parking, manmade rock foreshore, toilets, taps. This is immediately inside the seaway entrance on the south side and is a little easier to fish that the seaway rock walls. The full range of fish can be caught here, including big flathead, bream, tailor, luderick, cod, trevally, queenfish and mulloway. Those willing to tackle the big rocks and strong currents can fish the seaway walls.

Moondarewa Beach, Gold Coast Broadwater, The Spit Access Road, Main Beach – nearby parking, long sandy beach. If walking and casting for fl;athead is your thing, this is a prime spot. Can be fished on most tides by walking out towards the channel.

Mitchell Park, Gold Coast Broadwater, Marine Parade, Southport – nearby parking, manmade rock foreshore onto sand, jetty, boat ramps, barbecues, playground, near shops and transport. A good fishing spot during the week and at night when boating traffic is less. Most species can be caught here, including mulloway.

Centenary Park, Gold Coast Broadwater, Centenary Drive, Hollywell – nearby parking, grassed area with manmade rock foreshore going to sand, boat ramps, toilets. Mainly whiting and flathead on upper tide.

James Cook Park, Gold Coast Broadwater, James Cook Esplanade, Hollywell – nearby parking, sandy foreshore. Great place to walk along the foreshore on a rising tide casting lures for flathead.

Esplanade South Park, Gold Coast Broadwater, 15 The Esplanade, Paradise Point – nearby parking, sandy foreshore, near amenities. Great place to walk along the foreshore on a rising tide casting lures for flathead, can also wade out at low tide to fish the channel drop-off.

Esplanade North Park, Gold Coast Broadwater, The Esplanade, Paradise Point – nearby parking, sandy foreshore with adjacent walking path, barbecues, playground, toilets. Walking path gives access to some good foreshore at high tide. Walk and cast lures for flathead and bream or bait fish for whiting. Also mangrove jacks and grunter caught here.

Paradise Point Reserve, Gold Coast Broadwater, The Esplanade, Paradise Point – nearby parking, sandy foreshore with adjacent walking path, barbecues, playground, toilets. Walking path gives access to good foreshore to fish at high tide. Walk and cast lures for flathead and bream or bait fish for whiting.

Labrador Fishing Platforms, Gold Coast Broadwater, Imperial and Marine Parades, Labrador – nearby parking, manmade rock foreshore with fishing platforms, near shops and transport. Most species show up here, best at night and during the week when boating traffic is reduced. mulloway on livebait at night.

GR Thompson Park, Gold Coast Broadwater, 95 Marine Parade, Southport – paid parking, sandy foreshore, toilets and taps. Shallow area has whiting on big high tides, best at night.

Hill Parade Park, Hill Parade, Main Beach – nearby parking, sand and mamade rock foreshore, nearby jetty pylons. Fish the pylons and the bottlenecked area around the bridge on big tides for a range of species.

Shearwater Park, Shearwater Esplanade, Runaway Bay – nearby parking, sandy foreshore, nearby amenities. This shallow area produces some good flathead and whiting. Great place to throw shallow lures and soft plastic lures on a big rising tide.

Broadview Park, Constance Esplanade, Runaway Bay – nearby parking, concrete wall and sand foreshore, boat ramp, near amenities. This shallow sandy area has mostly flathead and whiting, with some bream.

Pacific Street Reserve, 2 Pacific Street, Main Beach – nearby parking, sand and rock foreshore. Handy bream spot right in the middle of the Gold Coast. Big tides best.

There are many other great places to fish in the Gold Coast region … here’s some of them.

Here is a list of recommended tackle for SEQ waters.

Book your fishing stay early at Booking.com

Nerang River tides at Paradise Waters
Coomera River tides at Sanctuary Cove
Southport Broadwater tides at Southport Yacht Club
Gold Coast parks and reserves
QLD fishing regulations
QLD marine parks
Return to QLD fishing map

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Lake Victoria is 25km long and 2.5km wide, with an average depth over 5m.

It has very little tidal influence. Water flows through McLennans Strait if wind or rain changes the lakes’ levels.

Bream, garfish, mullet, luderick, trevally, tailor, flounder and flathead are the main species.

Loch Sport is the access point, reached from Sale or Rosedale on the Princes Hwy, then from Longford via Collier Hill from the South Gippsland Hwy.

There is a jetty and good boat ramp.

Holland’s Landing on the north side of McLennans Strait has a van park.

The 9km strait holds most species, including estuary perch.

Jones and Blond Bays are good bream areas.

Flathead and whiting are caught on the channel edges.

Flounder spearing is popular in both lakes.

Here is a list of recommended tackle for Victorian waters.

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Lakes Entrance weather and tides
Lakes Entrance coastline on Beachsafe
Gippsland Lakes artificial reefs
VIC fishing regulations
VIC marine parks
Return to the VIC fishing map

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Southport Broadwater, also called Gold Coast Broadwater, is a shallow expanse of mostly sandy tidal estuary immediately inside the South Stradbroke Island seaway and The Spit on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

The Nerang River flows into the southern Broadwater, with the lower tidal river formed into a labyrinth of residential canal estates.

The seaway is a permanent sea entrance to the Broadwater, with the north side of the seaway being South Stradbroke Island.

The seaway entrance is stabilised with manmade rock walls, and a wave-breaking island is maintained inside the seaway to de-energise incoming ocean swells.

The Broadwater is known for its flathead and whiting fishing, but it also produces bream, mulloway, tailor, mangrove jacks , tarwhine, luderick, grunter, tarpon, trevally, dart, squid, mud crabs and more.

Though the bottom is mostly sand, boaters can find spots that will on occasion produce nannygai, pink snapper, tuskfish, slatey bream, sweetlip and cod. Reefs located just outside the seaway also produce these fish, as well as cobia and mackerel.

South Stradbroke Artificial Reef is located just 3km north-east of the seaway.

While a boat or yak provides the most fishing opportunities, the Broadwater is well served by fishing parks and reserves which give easy access to foreshores for landbased fishing.

The Broadwater is known for its big flathead and sand whiting. The big flathead are usually caught in spring and summer, while the best whiting are caught on fresh or live bait fished on light tackle, often at night or during the week when boating traffic drops off.

Drift fishing in a boat or walking a foreshore and casting are proven ways to find flathead.

Bream are generally found around structure or over rough bottom and along rock walls, especially in the canals, as are mangrove jacks and cod.

A big rain event will usually produce good fishing in the Broadwater after the weather has settled.

Prolonged dry spells sees marine fish move up the rivers and canals, and clearer water in the Broadwater can make fish harder to catch.

The Broadwater and its associated tidal canals tend to fish best on bigger tides.

To the north of the Broadwater is the Coomera River, another great fishing location.

Southport Broadwater landbased fishing spots

Doug Jennings Park, Gold Coast Broadwater, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach – this park is the premium landbased fishing location on the Broadwater. There is a long manmade rock foreshore with associated footpath, with nearby parking, toilets and taps. The park is inside the seaway entrance on the south side, and the seaway rock walls and sand-pumping jetty are nearby. The full range of fish can be caught in this area, including big flathead, bream, tailor, luderick, cod, trevally, queenfish, tuskfish, snapper and mulloway. Those willing to tackle the big rocks and strong currents of the seaway walls with appropriate gear can hook almost anything. The sand-pumping jetty is unusual in that it is a pier facing open ocean – it is a mulloway and tailor hotspot but you’ll need the right gear to land big fish from the high deck, and the same applies to the seaway’s huge wave-washed rocks. Found out more about the facilities at this park here.

Moondarewa Beach, Gold Coast Broadwater, The Spit Access Road, Main Beach – this beach is located immediately south of Doug Jennings Park. If walking and casting for flathead is your thing, this is a prime spot. Can be fished on most tides by walking out towards the channel. There is nearby parking, and a long sandy beach. Great spot to catch a variety of fish if you don’t want to fish off the rocks to the north.

Mitchell Park, Gold Coast Broadwater, Marine Parade, Southport – A good fishing spot during the week and at night when boating traffic is less. Most species can be caught here, including mulloway. There is nearby parking, a manmade rock foreshore onto sand, jetty, boat ramps, barbecues, playground, near shops and transport.

Centenary Park, Gold Coast Broadwater, Centenary Drive, Hollywell – this has nearby parking, a grassed area with manmade rock foreshore going to sand, boat ramps, and toilets. Mainly whiting and flathead are caught on the upper tide.

James Cook Park, Gold Coast Broadwater, James Cook Esplanade, Hollywell – nearby parking, sandy foreshore. Great place to walk along the foreshore on a rising tide casting lures for flathead.

Esplanade South Park, Gold Coast Broadwater, 15 The Esplanade, Paradise Point – nearby parking, sandy foreshore, near amenities. Great place to walk along the foreshore on a rising tide casting lures for flathead, can also wade out at low tide to fish the channel drop-off.

Esplanade North Park, Gold Coast Broadwater, The Esplanade, Paradise Point – nearby parking, sandy foreshore with adjacent walking path, barbecues, playground, toilets. Walking path gives access to some good foreshore at high tide. Walk and cast lures for flathead and bream or bait fish for whiting. Also mangrove jacks and grunter caught here.

Paradise Point Reserve, Gold Coast Broadwater, The Esplanade, Paradise Point – nearby parking, sandy foreshore with adjacent walking path, barbecues, playground, toilets. Walking path gives access to good foreshore to fish at high tide. Walk and cast lures for flathead and bream or bait fish for whiting.

Labrador Fishing Platforms, Gold Coast Broadwater, Imperial and Marine Parades, Labrador – nearby parking, manmade rock foreshore with fishing platforms, near shops and transport. Most species show up here, best at night and during the week when boating traffic is reduced. mulloway on livebait at night.

GR Thompson Park, Gold Coast Broadwater, 95 Marine Parade, Southport – paid parking, sandy foreshore, toilets and taps. Shallow area has whiting on big high tides, best at night.

Hill Parade Park, Hill Parade, Main Beach – nearby parking, sand and manmade rock foreshore, nearby jetty pylons. Fish the pylons and the bottle-necked area around the bridge on big tides for a range of species.

Shearwater Park, Shearwater Esplanade, Runaway Bay – nearby parking, sandy foreshore, nearby amenities. This shallow area produces some good flathead and whiting. Great place to throw shallow lures and soft plastic lures on a big rising tide.

Broadview Park, Constance Esplanade, Runaway Bay – nearby parking, concrete wall and sand foreshore, boat ramp, near amenities. This shallow sandy area has mostly flathead and whiting, with some bream.

Pacific Street Reserve, 2 Pacific Street, Main Beach – nearby parking, sand and rock foreshore. Handy bream spot right in the middle of the Gold Coast. Big tides best.

Here is a list of recommended tackle for SEQ waters.

Book your fishing stay early at Booking.com

Southport Tides
Gold Coast parks and reserves
QLD fishing regulations
QLD marine parks
Return to QLD fishing map

Email updates or corrections to [email protected]