Where to fish along the Southern Great Barrier Reef

The first stop on any fishing trip to the Southern Great Barrier Reef is Bundaberg. Famous the world over for its turtle conservation and migration, alongside its world-famous rum, Bundaberg also boasts some incredible fishing locations both inland and off the coast.

Another great thing about Bundy? You don’t have to travel far to throw a line. Located at the mouth of the Burnett River and just north of the city, Port Bundaberg is renowned for its mackerel and tuna—even the novice fisher will get a hit along the rock wall. Those in the know settle in at the north wall for whiting, bream and flathead.

Head inland

For those chasing the some seriously big fish—the 44.6kg, 1.35m long kind of big—Lake Monduran is where to head. Located in Gin Gin approx. 1hr west of Bundaberg, Lake Monduran’s barramundi attracts people from around the world. Barramundi like the heat, so if it’s a hot, windless, cloudless day (a quintessential Queensland day, then) it’s game on. To navigate this giant expanse of water, hook up with a charter company like Lake Monduran Barra Charters to take the stress out of finding the best spots. There are ample camping and accommodation options in the area, too, plus public bbqs dotted around—perfect for cooking up your catch and staying a day or two. 

Lake Monduran forms part of the (much larger) Bass to Barra trail; a 1,000km freshwater fishing trail taking the most dedicated through lush inland terrain and back out to the Fraser Coast. Tack on an extra week if you’re up for tackling this monster trip. You’ll not only hit up some of the best fishing locations in the Southern Great Barrier Reef, you’ll also get to see some of the wildest, most majestic areas of Queensland’s Central North Coast. You can’t put a price on that.

Hit the coastline

Heading off from Port Bundaberg, take a boat out to The Barjon; a shipwreck lying just off the coastline. At 20m deep, the waters surrounding the wreck house some sizeable fish, including trevally, cobia, mackerel, barracuda, snapper and tuna, making it a great place to anchor up and spend a morning.

Stop in at Salty’s Tackle Shop before heading off for bait supplies and expert advice on the best lures; it can change from week to week because fish, particularly GTs, are like that. All you need is the time and a little patience.

Day 3+4: Gladstone Region

An easy 2.5-hour drive from Bundaberg makes Gladstone the obvious next stop when fishing the Southern Great Barrier Reef. The impeccable region is bursting with spots to drop a line, and there’s both inland and ocean fishing here as well. Even better, you can easily fit in both over a weekend.

Cliffs and coasts

Head south from Gladstone for an hour and half to Agnes Water and The Town of 1770. The coastline hugging these two adjacent towns is simply stunning - so we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to stay a while. There’s plenty to see and do here even without a fishing rod.

You’re even guaranteed a bite at the beach at the beach, so if you fancy a day on the sand, grab some bait and BYO rod to Agnes Waters main beach. A great place for families and little ones if they’ve come along for the ride, hook flathead, whiting and dart for hours of fun on the sand.

The coastline of 1770 is big fish territory; snapper, mackerel, tuna, cobia, red emperor, and where the locations are just as lauded as the fish they house. One such spot is ‘the catwalk’. Locally named for its narrow access trail, take the winding path to the rugged cliffs of Round Hill Headland. With high vantage points and plenty of sizeable pelagics (including sharks) to wrestle with, this is one of the best locations on the Queensland coast for land-based game fishing. So, bring your A-game.

If the game off the coastline is anything to go by, and if you’re hankering to hook that elusive black marlin, take a trip with MV Night Cross Coral Charters for a full week’s fishing on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. With you plus five crew members, give yourself the gift of uninterrupted, unadulterated deep ocean game fishing.

For the ultimate laid back fishing trip vibes, make tracks to Lake Awoonga. Active types will relish in the boating, kayaking, swimming and bush walks, but don’t let all this fun fool you: this place has serious fishing cred. Sea mullet, saratoga and barramundi all call this expanse of water home. Hire a tinny from Lake Awoonga Boating and Leisure Hire and get out there.

Check out more top fishing spots in the Gladstone region here.

Day 5+6: Capricorn Region

Making tracks 1.5 hours north to Rockhampton and you’re deep in the Capricorn Region, where estuaries, rivers and lakes meet sandy coastline and the Great Barrier Reef. While the city itself is known as the beef hub of Australia, it’s the inhabitants of the Fitzroy River that make Rocky and the Capricorn region famous for fishing.

Stretching over 480km and with a catchment area of over 156,000sq km, the Fitzroy River houses the most diverse range of freshwater fish in Australia—so you know you’re onto a good start. Home to monstrous barramundi and threadfin salmon you’ll likely also be sharing the waters with the local saltwater crocodiles, so keep your wits about you. 

There are ample fishing ramps and access areas along the river, even in the heart of Rockhampton, so you can drop your vessel in with ease practically in the centre of town without much fuss.

Many favour the mouth of the river, and on a neap tide to fish for the biggest barra, as Fitzroy River is known for its vast tidal variations. While this does make it more challenging to find the perfect conditions, what fishing along the Fitzroy rewards you with is the thrill of the chase, a highly revered bounty, and some incredible wildlife for your backdrop. You can’t ask for much more.

Quaint coastal towns

If you’re looking to do some fishing on the coast of Capricorn, head to Yeppoon.

This coastal town has beautiful beaches and rocky peninsulas, but most attractive of all, the Southern Great Barrier Reef is just a short fishing charter away. Kona Fishing and Cruising Charters or Bite Me Marlin and Reef Charters Yeppoon will look after everything. Meaning more time on the line for you.

Prefer to DIY? Head south down the Scenic Highway toward Rosslyn Bay and the Keppel Bay Marina. This particular marina is surrounded by rock walls and if you’re nimble (read: careful), you can find a flat ledge and set out to catch some mackerel or tuna.

While you’re there, it would be crazy not to experience the Freedom Fast Cats and take a tour of Keppel Bay Islands National Park. Snorkelling with sea turtles is never a bad idea, and after all this fishing, your arms could use the rest.

Check out more top fishing spots in the Capricorn Region along the 'Bass to Barra' fishing trail, or zero in on barramundi in Rockhampton.